Genital  vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC–from Candida albicans) is also sometimes called a “yeast infection,” and it occurs when there is overgrowth of the normal yeast in the vagina. This infection is relatively common — nearly 75% of all adult women have had at least one “yeast infection” in their lifetime.

Some probiotic strains have been shown to suppress Candida albicans. A retrospective study, published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology (2014 Nov;182:136-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.09.018. Epub 2014 Sep 17) looked at the effectiveness of supplementing with Lactobacillus plantarum P17630, which is able to attach to vaginal epithelial cells and significantly reduce the adhesion of Candida albicans.

The subjects of the study were 89 women diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis. They were all treated with a daily dose of 2% clotrimazole vaginal cream at bedtime for three days, followed by vaginal application of a capsule containing lubricant once a day for six days and then once a week for another four weeks. The control group received only the medical treatment. The probiotic group additionally received vaginal application of a capsule containing Lactobacillus plantarum once a day for six days and then once a week for another four weeks beginning the day following clotrimazole discontinuation.

At the end of the study, the women treated with probiotics showed a significant increase in Lactobacillus values. In addition, they had a better resolution of symptoms when compared to controls (90% compared to 67.5%).