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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

2 supplements

Yarrow: outcomes studied for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Inflammation

Small Decrease

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect80 people
ItchingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study80 people
Quality of LifeImproves (the measure goes up)80 people
Calendula Officinalis: outcomes studied for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Abdominal Pain

No effect

NoneNo effect150 people
Dysuria

No effect

NoneNo effect150 people
Vaginal Infection RiskChanges; see studies1 study150 people
ItchingImproves (the measure goes up)150 people
Vaginal IrritationImproves (the measure goes up)150 people

Key findings

  • InflammationYarrowImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Abdominal PainCalendula Officinalis
  • DysuriaCalendula Officinalis

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

See the full protocol

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.

Fullscript collectionWomen's health: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

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Studies cited

2 studies from PubMed

  1. The effect of Achillea Millefolium L. on vulvovaginal candidiasis compared with clotrimazole: A randomized controlled trial.Complement Ther Med · PMID 32951733
  2. Comparing the effects of Calendula officinalis and clotrimazole on vaginal Candidiasis: A randomized controlled trial.Women Health · PMID 27880086