Vaginal thrush can affect women of any age, although it is more common in women between the ages of 15 and 50 years old. It is unusual in girls who have not yet begun their periods and in older women after menopause.
Every 3 out of 4 women get thrush at least once in their lifetime. Many women also suffer from recurring thrush. However, there are some circumstances that can make you more prone to getting this yeast infection.
Most thrush is caused by the fungus candida albicans. This fungus exists naturally in the vagina, mouth, bowel and elsewhere. Normally, it causes no problems. But in some circumstances, the balance of normal bacteria and fungi in the body changes and the fungus starts to multiply and cause symptoms. You are more at risk of getting thrush if:
- You are pregnant – hormonal changes make the vagina more prone to thrush
- You have recently finished a course of antibiotics – these upset the normal balance of bacteria on the skin and in the body
- You have diabetes or a poorly functioning immune system
- Having sex whilst you are on your period
- You have HIV
Stress, a sugar overload, too much alcohol can also increase the risk of thrush.
Normally, the things that keep candida in check are a strong, well-balanced immune system, a healthy vaginal microbiome that is populated with good bacteria (called lactobacilli), and a healthy pH level. However, when the conditions in your vagina change to less acidic, bacteria start to overgrow. This in turn can lead to a yeast infection.
How probiotics can help
Candida infections indicate a disturbance in the balance of the body’s microflora, which can affect oral or vaginal health. Probiotics can help to restore this balance and aid the body’s response to pathogens like candida.
In the vagina, Lactobacilli are the most common beneficial species of bacteria. They fight off Candida through multiple mechanisms, including boosting immunity, creating by-products that maintain acidity and interfere with Candida’s growth, and blocking its attachment sites. Some studies have noted an altered balance of protective vaginal bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus species, in vaginal candida infections.
There’s evidence that supplementing with probiotics, particularly those with Lactobacilli bacteria, can aid in resolving vaginal yeast infections. You can read one such study here.
We have three strains of friendly bacteria in our For Women capsules and two of them, in particular, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, have been shown to help reduce thrush. Here’s a bit more science that explains the mechanism behind this: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25688886/.
Read how Abby was able to win her longstanding battle with recurring thrush when she started taking our For Women capsules:
It’s important to maintain the For Women protocol, especially if you take the birth control pill or have a high sugar diet, as often stopping the capsules can result in a thrush outbreak. If you’re having a major outbreak of thrush, as well as taking one of our For Women capsules twice daily, we also recommend you make your own probiotic pessaries. You can download our simple and effective recipe here.
If you would like to know more about a tailored supplement protocol for a digestive, gut, vaginal or bladder issue, please get in touch.
