Probiotics for Yeast Infections: Do They Work?

Vaginal yeast infections are a common problem for women. Up to 3 out of 4 women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives. And most women will have more than one, sometimes even multiple times a year. 

Yeast infections are usually caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans — a type of yeast-like fungi that’s naturally present in your vagina. And though there’s no clear evidence that probiotics can prevent or cure a yeast infection, it’s possible that they could help. That’s because probiotics contain helpful microorganisms that may be able to keep Candida overgrowth in check. 

Let’s take a closer look at what causes vaginal yeast infections, as well as how probiotics might potentially help. 

What causes vaginal yeast infections?

Your vagina contains a vibrant web of microorganisms — including bacteria, fungi, and yeast. These organisms, part of what’s known as the microbiome, create an acidic environment within the vagina. This keeps your vagina healthy. 

Sometimes, certain circumstances can disrupt your vaginal microbiome. This allows Candida to flourish — and potentially lead to a yeast infection.

Some things can make yeast infections more likely, including:

• Pregnancy

• Hormonal birth control

• Diabetes

• Antibiotics

• Douching

• Weakened immune system (for example, due to HIV)

• Being sexually active

• Diaphragm use

What are the symptoms of a yeast infection?

Symptoms of a yeast infection include:

• Burning

• Itching

• Swelling

• Pain with urination

• Pain or burning during sex 

• Thick, white curd-like discharge

Normal vaginal discharge can be white, but it shouldn’t cause any other symptoms.

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Can probiotics help treat yeast infections?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that may have health benefits when you ingest them. You can get them by eating certain foods or taking a supplement. 

It’s possible that probiotics can help with yeast infections by:

• Restoring or reinforcing a “healthy” vaginal microbiome

• Producing lactic acid, to maintain healthy pH levels

• Making it harder for Candida to grow

So far, there’s no proof that probiotics work on their own to treat yeast infections. But there’s some evidence that probiotics could be worth adding on to standard antifungal treatment (more on these below). 

In some research studies, taking a probiotic together with antifungal medication helped to cure more yeast infections than antifungals alone. It also made it much less likely that the yeast infection would come back within the next month. 

Can probiotics help prevent a yeast infection?

It’s not clear. So far, there isn’t enough evidence to say whether probiotics can prevent yeast infections. 

In a few very small studies, eating yogurt or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus daily seemed to help prevent yeast infections. But no large studies have been done yet. And most studies on yeast infections and probiotics have only been short term — meaning they’re not long enough to evaluate prevention. 

What are the best probiotics for yeast infections?

Most probiotics used for yeast infections contain one or more Lactobacillus species. These are some of the beneficial types of bacteria that live in your vagina. They help to create an acidic environment, and they may help to prevent yeast overgrowth. 

Strains of Lactobacillus that may support vaginal health include:

• Lactobacillus crispatus

• Lactobacillus jensenii

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus

• Lactobacillus reuteri

• Lactobacillus acidophilus

Another species of yeast known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae may also be helpful. But more research is needed on this and other types.

How do you take probiotics for yeast infections?

Probiotics can be taken either by mouth or inserted into the vagina. Studies have looked at both routes. One doesn’t appear to be better than the other — though taking them orally may be easier for many people. 

How do you treat vaginal yeast infections?

The first-choice treatment for yeast infections is usually antifungal medications (azoles). These medications can come as a pill, cream, or vaginal insert. Some medications are over the counter (OTC), while others require a prescription.

OTC options include:

• Miconazole (Monistat)

• Tioconazole (Vagistat-1, Monistat-1)

Prescription options include:

• Butoconazole (Gynazole-1)

• Terconazole

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)

Before you treat an infection, it’s a good idea to confirm the diagnosis. This is especially true if you’ve never had a yeast infection before, or if your symptoms won't go away. For example, bacterial vaginosis is another common source of vaginal discomfort. It can look and feel like a yeast infection, but it requires different treatment. 

How do you stop recurring yeast infections? 

Sometimes, yeast infection symptoms come back or never go away completely, even after treatment. This can be frustrating and uncomfortable. 

The first step in finding a solution is to get the right diagnosis. A healthcare professional can do some tests to determine the cause. Yeast might be the reason for symptoms like:

• Itching

• Burning

• Pain

• Discharge 

But it could also be due to something else. 

If yeast is to blame, and your symptoms keep coming back, you may need treatment for as long as 6 months. Studies also suggest that adding probiotics to an antifungal medication may make it less likely for your yeast infection to come back in the next 1 to 6 months. 

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Written by:

Katherine Killoran, MD

Katherine Killoran, MD, is a board-certified gynecologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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