Condition
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
A yeast infection, or vulvovaginal candidiasis, happens when Candida yeast overgrows in the vagina, bringing itching, burning, redness, and thick white discharge. People mostly look at Lactobacillus probiotics and vaginal boric acid, which have the strongest support, with moderate evidence for each, as ways to restore a healthy vaginal balance. Evidence for vitamin D, garlic, tea tree oil, oregano oil and others is limited, and the studies were small.
- Supplements studied
- 2
- Graded outcomes
- 3
- Trials
- 2
- People studied
- 230
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation Small Decrease | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 80 people | |||
| Itching | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 80 people | |||
| Quality of Life | Improves (the measure goes up) | 80 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Pain No effect | NoneNo effect | 150 people | ||||
| Dysuria No effect | NoneNo effect | 150 people | ||||
| Vaginal Infection Risk | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 150 people | |||
Studies that measured vaginal infection risk | ||||||
| Itching | Improves (the measure goes up) | 150 people | ||||
| Vaginal Irritation | Improves (the measure goes up) | 150 people | ||||
Key findings
- InflammationImproves (the measure goes down)
- Abdominal Pain
- Dysuria
The Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Yeast Infection) Supportive Care protocol
2 primary supplements · 5 supporting supplements
- Probiotics (Lactobacillus)10–20 billion CFU daily oral (L. rhamnosus GR-1, L. reuteri RC-14); or vaginal application
- Boric Acid (Vaginal)600 mg vaginal suppository at bedtime for 14 days (recurrent) or as maintenance
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Yeast Infection). If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
19 studies from PubMed
- The effect of versus metronidazole on bacterial vaginosis in women: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.
- Therapeutic effectiveness of a Calendula officinalis extract in venous leg ulcer healing.
- Evaluation of Calendula officinalis as an anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agent.
- Comparing the effects of Calendula officinalis and clotrimazole on vaginal Candidiasis: A randomized controlled trial.
- Treatment of acute wounds in hand with L.: A randomized trial.
- Antioxidant capacity of calendula officinalis flowers extract and prevention of radiation induced oropharyngeal mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers: a randomized controlled clinical study.
- No differences between Calendula cream and aqueous cream in the prevention of acute radiation skin reactions--results from a randomised blinded trial.
- Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer.
- Use of calendula ointment after episiotomy: a randomized clinical trial.
- Low-level laser therapy and Calendula officinalis in repairing diabetic foot ulcers.
- Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin.
- Effect of Achillea Millefolium on Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.
- The efficacy of Achilles millefolium topical gel along with intralesional injection of glucantime in the treatment of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis major.
- Comparing the Effects of Yarrow, Honey, and Breast Milk for Healing Nipple Fissure.
- The effect of Achillea Millefolium L. on vulvovaginal candidiasis compared with clotrimazole: A randomized controlled trial.
- Effect of herbal medicine achillea millefolium on plasma nitrite and nitrate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease: a preliminary study.
- External application of liver compresses to reduce fatigue in patients with metastatic cancer undergoing radiation therapy, a randomized clinical trial
- The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women.
- Effect of adding the herb Achillea millefolium on mouthwash on chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer patients: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.