Most, around 75% of women, can expect to have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. These can happen to anyone at any time, but there are several factors that increase risk.
Several factors can also reduce risk, and if you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection, or are worried that you may develop one, there is one very effective way to prevent and treat this condition.
Since yeast infections occur as a result of too much bad bacteria, eliminating the amount of this bacteria built-up in the body is a healthy, effective solution
Bacteria, in any form, is in a constant struggle for survival. If you want to have less harmful bacteria, one of the easiest and most natural ways to get rid of these bad bacteria is to introduce beneficial bacteria.
Probiotics are live bacterias and yeasts that are naturally beneficial to the human body. By supplementing probiotics and nourishing them, the bad bacteria will have less chance to survive because they will be in constant competition with the good bacteria.
In the case of a yeast infection, probiotic bacteria help regulate the pH levels of the vagina, making a more healthy environment that can reduce the risk and reduce the effects of a yeast infection.
Here are some of the best probiotic supplements you can get to help prevent or treat a yeast infection.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Renew Life — Women’s Probiotic 25 Billion CFU |
| Check Latest Price |
2 | 2 | LoveBug — Probiotics Complete Women’s Health |
| Check Latest Price |
3 | 3 | Nature’s Way Probiotic Pearls s |
| Check Latest Price |
4 | 4 | Rephresh Pro-B Probiotic Supplement for Women |
| Check Latest Price |
Top 5 Best Probiotic Supplement for Yeast Infections
This product is designed to provide the “ultimate flora care” for women. Used by thousands of women and advertised as the number one selling probiotic for women, this product has exceptional credibility.
Renew Life’s formula includes 12 scientifically studied probiotic strains and 25 billion live bacterial cultures to maximize effects.
While there are many probiotics on the market that can be useful for many different things, this particular product is designed for women with vaginal health in mind.
What We Liked
- Highly shelf-stable
- Designed for women
- Impressive live culture count
- Great price
What We Didn't Like
- While advertised as a dairy-free product, several users have reportedly discovered that this product has come in contact with dairy.
With an impressive 50 Billion CFU, this is another powerful probiotic geared specifically towards women’s health.
Touted to promote urinary tract health and vaginal pH balance, this is a highly specialized probiotic designed to prevent and treat urinary tract infections and yeast infections.
They are allergen-friendly and vegan, and also non-GMO with no artificial coloring or flavors. In this formula, there is also cranberry extract, which is another substance known to assist with yeast infections or urinary tract issues.
These come in tablet form and can be broken in half and taken if necessary, making it easy for individuals who may have difficulty swallowing pills.
Many users report using this product to treat and prevent yeast infections with great success. Individuals who have tried things like using special soap, eating yogurt, and not wearing tight clothing, have found success with this product when all else had failed.
What We Liked
- Very high (50 billion) CFU
- Cranberry extract added
- Made in the USA
What We Didn't Like
- There have been reports of the product arriving damaged or improperly sealed, but these issues were resolved by the company.
- The exceptional CFU count may be “overkill,” as some users suggest.
This is another product that has taken vaginal health into consideration when selecting the strains of bacteria to be used.
This probiotic comes in softgel form, which can be more pleasant to take than some of the tablet counterparts.
These “advanced triple-layer softgels” protect the probiotics from heat, air, moisture, and stomach acid—which may greatly increase the survivability of the good bacterias.
This product is gluten-free, inexpensive, and contains 1 billion live probiotic cultures to help support vaginal and digestive health.
What We Liked
- Good price
- Gluten-Free
- Softgel with the protection of probiotic in mind
What We Didn't Like
- A low CFU count
- Some buyers complain they do not contain enough strain diversity.
This product is a balance of yeast and bacteria designed to maintain feminine health. Rephresh is an acclaimed Gynecologist Recommended Brand, and while this product is a bit more expensive than some of its rivals, they have a strong clinically-tested probiotic formula.
Intended to be taken once a day, these are probiotics that specialize in digestive health, immunity, and vaginal health. Rephresh uses clinically tested strains of yeast and bacteria hand-picked for this purpose.
This product contains 5 billion CFU’s per serving, putting it in the mid-range as far as CFU count is concerned. Since there are arguments for both a higher and a lower CFU count depending on who you speak to, this product is an excellent in-between.
What We Liked
- Gynecologist recommended
- Extensive clinical testing background
- Overwhelmingly positive reviews
What We Didn't Like
- More expensive than competitors
Four Things To Consider When Buying Probiotic Formulas
Not all probiotics are made equal
There are many different products on the market that fit the term probiotic. While in general, no probiotics are inherently bad, you should certainly seek out something more specific if you have symptoms you are trying to relieve.
The probiotics on this list are all geared towards women’s health and have been reported to be beneficial to reducing symptoms of yeast infections and reducing the risk of getting them.
Delivery mechanism
There are probiotics in foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut. Eating these foods will certainly help to diversify your gut microbiome and your overall beneficial bacteria content, but food sometimes isn’t enough.
Unless you plan on eating fermented foods 24/7, you will need some form of probiotic that is easily and conveniently consumable.
This may be a tablet, a softgel, or a capsule. It is up to you to choose which delivery mechanism will be most convenient for you.
Ingredients
There are many different products on the market, and if you have allergies you will need to check into your product before buying.
Not all are gluten-free, and not all are vegan or vegetarian friendly. There is no standardized way to make a probiotic supplement, and there will be a variety of options available to suit your needs.
CFU count
This is a unit that represents how many live and active bacteria are in a particular substance. For reference, a serving of yogurt can have up to 6 billion CFU.
Where some supplements in their very small capsule form can have up to 30 billion CFU or even more.
In general, higher doses of CFU has been found to be more effective. There is a caveat, however, that doses of 1 – 2 billion CFU per day have been equally effective in certain circumstances where other factors like quality and freshness make their way into the equation.
You want to keep an eye on CFU, but do not sacrifice quality for a higher CFU count.
On this list, we have provided four examples from different ends of this spectrum. If you try one of the product with say, 1 billion CFU for a few weeks and do not see any positive results, maybe your particular case will need a stronger solution
On the other hand, if you happen to have minor side-effects from a less reputable product with a high CFU count, you may want to consider moving to a more well-reviewed product with a lower CFU count.
FAQ's
Do probiotics work immediately?
Not all probiotics work the same, there is a variation of potency and different strains between different products.
Generally speaking, you should expect to feel some alleviation when taking probiotics correctly within about 10 days.
Are probiotics safe?
There are very few cases where they are not safe, and this is generally due to allergic reactions. If you have serious allergies, you will want to consult with a doctor before beginning a probiotic regime.
Outside of that, microbes that are used in probiotics exist naturally in the world and in your body. In fact, your bacteria colony (microbiome,) is gigantic and diverse. The human body contains trillions of microorganisms, outnumbering our own cells about 10 to 1.
Can I use any probiotic for a yeast infection?
In most situations, any probiotic will be beneficial to you. However, because there are different strains of probiotics that may help in different ways, choosing one that targets your particular symptoms or well-being goals is going to be a better idea than taking a general probiotic.
Conclusion
Yeast infections are an unfortunate part of life that happens to most women. They can be very irritating and come out of nowhere, and last for a painfully long time.
Understanding why they develop and how the balance of bacteria in your body affects your risk of getting a yeast infection is the first step in taking back control.
All healthy habits will help you feel better and reduce the risk of infection, but supplementing probiotics is a clinically-tested way to begin fighting the bad bacteria in your body.
The benefits do not stop there. With a complex relationship between the brain and the gut, having a healthy microbiome full of good bacteria can make you feel better in ways you may never imagine.
Now that you know, you can begin your journey to an even healthier you who will feel, look, and think better with the help of some good bacteria.
Read This Next:
The Best Multivitamin for Winter
Read More
What is the Best Pre-Workout for Crossfit?
Read More
The Best Probiotic Supplement for Yeast Infections
Read More
Best Multivitamin for Hypothyroidism
Read More
Best Multivitamin for Bodybuilders
Read More
Latest Health News:
Best Multivitamin for Eye Health: Save Your Eyes from Aging
Read More