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There are over 300 million cases of urinary
tract infections (UTIs), bacterial vaginosis, and yeast vaginitis worldwide every year. These
conditions affect women’s urogenital tract and cause significant pain and discomfort, and even
serious complications such as kidney infections.
However, there are widely available natural remedies that can help treat urinary tract infections
and yeast infections. They’re healthy bacteria called probiotics. Research shows that lactobacilli probiotics can help to prevent
and treat UTIs and yeast infections by balancing microflora in the vagina.
Causes of UTIs and Vaginal Yeast
Infections
Urinary tract infections are bacterial infections from the digestive
tract that invade the urinary system - bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys. They are the second
most common type of infection in the body. The microorganisms chlamydia and mycoplasma may also
cause UTIs in both males and females
The main culprit behind vaginal yeast infections (the most common form of vaginitis) is candida albicans, a common type of fungus. Candida albicans resides in
small amounts in the mouth, digestive tract, vagina and on the skin. Other yeast infection causes
include pregnancy and diabetes.
Normally, naturally-occurring probiotics in the urogenital tract inhibit harmful microorganisms.
However, they may become depleted due to antibiotics, birth control pills, spermicide or diet. This imbalance
increases the chance of developing a vaginal yeast infection or UTI.
Symptoms of UTIs and Vaginal Yeast Infections
UTIs
cause pain and pressure in the lower belly, painful or burning urination, frequent urination or
urge to urinate, and urine with a bad odor or cloudy, reddish appearance. You may also experience a
fever, tiredness, shakiness, and in fewer cases, nausea and back pain.
Vaginal yeast infections result in abnormal vaginal discharge that ranges from a white, slightly
watery discharge to a thick, white cottage cheese-like discharge. They may also cause redness and
swelling of the vulva, vaginal and labial itching or burning, painful urination, and pain during
sexual intercourse.
How Do Probiotics Treat Vaginal Yeast
Infection?
Probiotics suppress the growth of candida albicans and the bacteria
that contribute to UTIs, and encourage the balance of microflora in the vagina. Lactobacillus,
specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Lactobacillus fermentum
RC-14 are common probiotics for yeast infection. Some studies link yeast infection to low
Lactobacilli levels in the vagina.
A clinical trial showed the effectiveness of probiotic lactobacilli treatment for UTI. Fifty-five
premenopausal women took either one suppository of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and B-54 (0.5 g) or one
suppository of a lactobacillus growth factor for one year. Results showed a decrease in the UTI
infection rate from 6.0 per previous year to 1.6 (a 73 percent decrease) for patients given
lactobacilli and 1.3 (a 79 percent decrease) for patients given Lactobacillus growth factor.
In another study conducted at the University of Washington, researchers concluded that
lactobacillus re-colonization through yogurt or capsules was a safe, promising treatment for yeast
infections and bacterial vaginosis.
Source
Menopause International, Issue 15 (Volume 1): 35-40.
March 1, 2009. Health benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in women. M. de Vrese
Environmental Health, 2005 Nov 7; 4:25. Increasing work-place
healthiness with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled
study. Py Tubelius et al.
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/4/1/25
Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2003 May;58(5):351-8. Common complementary and
alternative therapies for yeast vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis: a systematic review. Van Kessel
K, Assefi N, Marrazzo J, Eckert L.
Next:
Probiotics and
Diarrhea
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