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How Effective is Yogurt for Yeast Infection?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

While it may not prove effective in all cases, there is some evidence that supports using yogurt for yeast infection treatment. Some research studies have demonstrated that eating yogurt to treat a yeast infection may not only treat the condition, but also prevent it. Likewise, applying yogurt vaginally can be helpful for the treatment and prevention of yeast infections. In order for this remedy to work, however, a person must ingest or apply yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus. Essentially, this works by making the vagina an unfriendly environment for yeast.

Yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of bacterium, can be effective for treating vaginal yeast infections because it helps to restore balance to the vaginal environment. Candida, which is a microorganism that causes yeast, may normally exist in the vagina without causing problems. Sometimes, however, the balance of Candida and other microorganisms that exist in the vagina is upset. For example, antibiotics and stress may contribute to the disruption and allow Candida to multiply too much and cause a yeast infection.

One tablespoon of plain yogurt may be used daily in the vagina to treat a yeast infection.
One tablespoon of plain yogurt may be used daily in the vagina to treat a yeast infection.

Consuming or applying yogurt for yeast infection may prove helpful because Lactobacillus acidophilus produces lactic acid. The lactic acid works to lower the pH level of the vagina. Candida find it difficult to thrive in this type of environment, so balance is restored.

It is important to note that some yogurt may not prove helpful for a person who has a yeast infection. To effectively use yogurt for yeast infection treatment, it has to contain live cultures. Some studies show that eating one cup (250 milliliters) of yogurt for yeast infection daily may provide effective infection treatment and prevention if the yogurt contains live cultures.

Acidophilus, often called a good bacteria, is found in yogurt, supplements and other products.
Acidophilus, often called a good bacteria, is found in yogurt, supplements and other products.

When a woman wishes to use yogurt vaginally, she may not need to use very much. Some experts recommend inserting one tablespoon (14.78 milliliters) of plain yogurt into the vagina each day until the symptoms of the yeast infection subside. A woman may use a vaginal applicator, such as the type used for traditional yeast infection medication, to insert the yogurt.

Some believe that applying yogurt to the vagina can help treat yeast infections.
Some believe that applying yogurt to the vagina can help treat yeast infections.

Plain, unsweetened yogurt may be best for insertion vaginally. If a woman chooses to consume yogurt for this purpose, on the other hand, she may choose plain or sweetened yogurt. Some women find that cutting back on their consumption of sugar helps to reduce the number of yeast infections they develop, however. As such, many women also opt to consume plain, unsweetened yogurt when they need to treat vaginal yeast infections.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon942208

No sugar-added yogurts should go near the lady parts! That spells disaster!

I've found a cure-all that works: Take a tampon out of the applicator and let it sit in a bowl of yogurt for 10 minutes. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt. Then take it out, and insert it into your vagina slowly. That thing will be cold and difficult to go in but you can do it. Wait an hour. Remove and shower.

It's just amazing. It's like hitting the reset button.

seag47

@kylee07drg – Well, have you tried eating frozen yogurt? It tastes just like ice cream, and though it may not be as potent as regular yogurt, it still qualifies.

However, the best option for you is probably taking acidophilus pills. These have the live cultures present in yogurt, but all you do is swallow the pills. They are tasteless and odorless.

They work great at keeping yeast infections away. As a bonus, they will also improve your digestion.

kylee07drg

The yogurt remedy for yeast infections has worked for many of my friends, but the problem for me is that I hate the taste of yogurt. I do get yeast infections a couple of times a year, and I would love to be able to prevent them, but I just can't bring myself to eat yogurt.

What else can I do to prevent them? Is there some sort of pill I can take?

feasting

@OeKc05 – Even if you use plain yogurt for a yeast infection, you have to insert it the right way. I had no applicator, so I decided to coat the outside of a tampon applicator with it.

I couldn't get the yogurt on an actual tampon and insert it without first taking the tampon out of the applicator, and if I did, then I couldn't get it back in. So, I just smothered the outside of the applicator and inserted it.

I don't think that much yogurt got in there at all. What little that did get in probably all clumped up in one spot.

OeKc05

If you do the yogurt treatment for a yeast infection, it is definitely not a good idea to insert the sweetened, flavored kind. I had a very itchy yeast infection, and since raspberry yogurt was all I had, I used it out of desperation.

It only made the itching worse! It itched up inside, and there was nothing I could do but schedule an appointment with my doctor.

Since then, I have started eating yogurt every day to prevent the infections. I think that prevention is definitely the best option.

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    • One tablespoon of plain yogurt may be used daily in the vagina to treat a yeast infection.
      By: mrjpeg
      One tablespoon of plain yogurt may be used daily in the vagina to treat a yeast infection.
    • Acidophilus, often called a good bacteria, is found in yogurt, supplements and other products.
      Acidophilus, often called a good bacteria, is found in yogurt, supplements and other products.
    • Some believe that applying yogurt to the vagina can help treat yeast infections.
      By: Marin Conic
      Some believe that applying yogurt to the vagina can help treat yeast infections.
    • Cultured yogurt has the same probiotic benefits associated with other types of yogurt.
      By: Brent Hofacker
      Cultured yogurt has the same probiotic benefits associated with other types of yogurt.
    • Contracting an STD as a result of unsafe sexual practices may cause a woman to also develop a fungal vaginal infection.
      By: Peter Atkins
      Contracting an STD as a result of unsafe sexual practices may cause a woman to also develop a fungal vaginal infection.