From the Guidelines
There is no evidence to support the use of probiotics in preventing yeast infections, and therefore, no specific probiotic can be recommended for this purpose. According to the most recent and highest quality study, 1, no evidence supports the use of alternative treatments, including probiotics, for the prevention of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The study emphasizes that azole antifungals remain the treatment of choice for uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis.
When considering prevention and treatment options, it's essential to focus on evidence-based approaches. The 2022 study 1 provides the most current guidance, highlighting the importance of diagnosis through yeast culture and the effectiveness of azole antifungals.
Key points to consider:
- Diagnosis should be confirmed through yeast culture or newer molecular assays.
- Azole antifungals are the preferred treatment for uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis.
- For recurrent infections, maintenance therapy with fluconazole or other antifungals may be necessary.
- There is no evidence to support the use of probiotics or other alternative treatments for preventing or treating yeast infections.
Given the lack of evidence supporting the use of probiotics for yeast infection prevention, the most effective approach is to follow evidence-based treatment guidelines [ 1 ], which do not include probiotic supplementation.
From the Research
Probiotics for Preventing Yeast Infections
- The use of probiotics to prevent yeast infections, specifically vulvovaginal candidiasis, has been studied, but more research is needed to clarify their role 2.
- Some probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, have been proposed to have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract and potentially on vaginal health 3.
- Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast probiotic, has been found to be effective in preventing and treating various forms of diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infection 4.
- A meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea found that several probiotics, including Saccharomyces boulardii and a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, had significant efficacy in preventing the disease 5.
- A recent study found that the probiotic strains Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces boulardii regulated wound healing and chemokine responses in human intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts, suggesting potential benefits for mucosal immunity 6.
Specific Probiotic Strains
- Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum have been found to have significant efficacy in preventing traveler's diarrhea 5.
- Saccharomyces boulardii has been found to be effective in preventing and treating various forms of diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infection 4.
- Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces boulardii have been found to regulate wound healing and chemokine responses in human intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts 6.
Considerations
- Probiotic benefits associated with one species or strain do not necessarily hold true for others 2.
- The minimum number of microorganisms that must be ingested to obtain a beneficial effect is not established, but a probiotic should typically contain several billion microorganisms to increase the chance of adequate gut colonization 2.
- Probiotics are generally considered safe and well-tolerated, but should be used cautiously in patients who are critically ill or severely immunocompromised 2.