When women’s bodies don’t have an ideal balance of microorganisms in their vagina, they’re more likely to develop problems like BV and yeast infections. A healthy balance is a key step in preventing these infections from coming back and allowing them to clear up on their own.
Do probiotics help with BV and yeast infections?
A diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods will help keep a balance of bacteria in the body and in your vagina. This includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Keeping your diet low in sugar and stress is also a good idea, as high levels of cortisol in the body can trigger BV.
Foods high in best probiotics for yeast infection and bv are also important: yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi contain a lot of them. They can be eaten daily to support a healthy gut and vaginal microbiome.
Several Lactobacillus strains have been shown to be effective against BV. They have been found to be particularly effective against the two most common bacterial vaginal pathogens, which are Gardnerella vaginalis and Atobopium vaginae.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus fermentum were tested against both bacteria, and both strains were found to have a high degree of virulence against the pathogens that cause BV. Both strains were able to colonize the vagina, and both were found to be able to restore a normal urogenital flora in women with BV.
A small randomized trial has shown that probiotics can effectively treat BV and prevent it from returning in the future. Specifically, the Lactobacillus brevis CD2 and Lactobacillus salivarius FV2 strains of probiotics were proven to reduce symptom severity and frequency in women with BV by 61% after just 7 days.