How does eating yogurt help a yeast infection?

Research has shown that daily ingestion of yogurt containing the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus helps in the prevention and treatment of candidal vaginitis (a.k.a. yeast infections). How the L. acidophilus in yogurt does this is literally a balancing act.

The human body plays host to lots of different microorganisms, many of which are useful, helping the body take care of its business. Normally, these colonies of critters live in harmonious balance with one another. But sometimes this balance can be disrupted by stress or the use of prescription antibiotics, among other things, causing some of the microorganisms to overpopulate and make a nuisance of themselves. When an imbalance occurs in the vagina, normally occurring colonies of the bacterium Candida albicans can get out of control, leading to the tell-tale symptoms of a yeast infection: whitish discharge, burning and/or itching, and a yeasty odor (similar to beer or bread).

One of Candida's vaginal neighbors is our friend L. acidophilus, which has the ability to keep the rowdy Candida in check (and thereby prevent yeast infections). Likewise, introducing more L. acidophilus to the area when Candida is already out of control can help restore peace to the region.

It just so happens that L. acidophilus can be found in yogurt (as long as the container says "live cultures" on it), and medical researchers have shown that eating 8 oz of yogurt daily can help avoid Candida uprisings or stop them after they've started. If yogurt isn't your thing, taking L. acidophilus capsules also has been shown to help prevent yeast infections.

Another study has shown that applying yogurt directly to the vagina (about one tablespoon via an applicator) can help prevent and treat bacterial vaginosis, a condition similar to a yeast infection, but involving a different microorganism. Some women have long recommended this method for yeast infections. When applied topically, be sure to use plain, unsweetened yogurt; sugar can actually feed the problem since it's Candida's favorite food.

If yogurt doesn't do the trick, a health care provider can recommend other treatment options for yeast infections, such as oral or topical anti-fungal medication. But thanks to the friendly bug L. acidophilus, when it comes to yeast infection prevention and treatment, some women might try a trip to the dairy section before a trip to the pharmacy!

Alice

Related Q&As

Sexual transmission of a yeast infection?

Yeast infection prevention

Vaginal yeast infection

Candida

Lactobacillus acidophilus for diarrhea?

Chronic yeast infections?