Though usually associated withgut health, probiotics have also been heavily marketed towardspeople with vaginas.
But do wereallyneed them, and if so, when?
Could theydo more harm than good?
Are they a waste of money or a valuable way to prevent yeast infections?
As it turns out, its not that straightforward.
What are probiotics?
When the bad guys take control is when you end up with symptomatology.
Not only that, but there isvery little research-based evidencethat probiotics actually work to prevent and/or treat vaginitis.
Its hard to pin it on one particular organism, Minkin says.
But it gets even more confusing.
This is not implying bad hygiene or anything like that, she explains.
Thats how the bacteria tend to arise in there.
It doesnt have to do with the way you wipe or anything like that.
And they may actually be helpful for some peoplewe just dont have definitive research-based statements that say that yet.
At that point, when all other treatment options are exhausted, trying probiotics can be worth a shot.
If youre fine, dont bother, Minkin says.
And if youre someone who still douches, stop it.
According to Minkin, it wipes out most of your vaginal floraincluding the good bacteria.
Its worth noting, though, that the Harvard article says not to use yogurt like that.
In addition, there could be an underlying cause behind the recurrent yeast infections.
