Vaginitis (Holistic)
About This Condition
- Give yogurt a go
Help prevent recurrences of bacterial or candidal vaginitis by eating 5 ounces (113 grams) a day of yogurt containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus, a friendly bacteria
- Steer clear of irritants
Reduce vaginal irritation by minimizing friction and reducing your exposure to perfumes, spermicides, and other chemicals
- Get a checkup
Visit your doctor to find out if your vaginitis is caused by a treatable medical condition
About This Condition
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina.
Vaginitis is responsible for an estimated 10% of all visits by women to their healthcare practitioners. The three general causes of vaginitis are hormonal imbalance, irritation, and infection. Hormone-related vaginitis includes the atrophic vaginitis generally found in postmenopausal or postpartum women and, occasionally, in young girls before puberty. Irritant vaginitis can result from allergies or irritating substances. Infectious vaginitis is most common in reproductive-age women and is generally caused by one of three types of infections: bacterial vaginosis (BV), candidiasis (yeast infection), or trichomoniasis. A healthcare professional should be consulted for the diagnosis and treatment of any vaginal infection.
Although it is a type of vaginitis, yeast infection is not discussed on this page. For specific information on yeast infections (i.e., vaginitis caused by Candida albicans), see the yeast infections article.
Symptoms
Hormone-related vaginitis is marked by dryness, irritation, thinning of the vaginal mucous membranes and painful intercourse. Irritant vaginitis is characterized by itching and soreness. Infectious vaginitis also itches and typically includes vaginal discharge that varies in color, consistency, and odor, depending upon the infectious organism. Discharge may range from scant to thick and white and may or may not be accompanied by a strong odor. Symptoms are often worse immediately after intercourse or the menstrual period.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
For irritant vaginitis, minimizing friction and reducing exposure to perfumes, chemicals, irritating lubricants, and spermicides can be beneficial.
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| Give yogurt a go | Help prevent recurrences of bacterial or candida vaginitis by eating 5 ounces (140 to 150 grams) a day of yogurt containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus, a friendly bacteria. In a controlled trial, women with recurrent BV or vaginal candidiasis ate 5 ounces (150 grams) of yogurt containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus daily. They had more than a 50% reduction in recurrences, while women who consumed pasteurized yogurt that did not contain the bacteria had only a slight reduction. |
| Sample some soy | Women with atrophic vaginitis may benefit from eating soy flour or supplementing with soy. In another study, women who ingested 45 grams of soy flour per day showed an improvement in the estrogen effect on their vaginal tissue. That observation suggests that supplementing with soy may be helpful for preventing or reversing atrophic vaginitis. |
| Uncover food allergies | Work with a knowledgeable health practitioner to find out if your yeast infections are related to food sensitivities. Food allergies are believed to be a contributory factor in some cases of recurrent irritant vaginitis. |
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
| Supplement | Why |
|---|---|
3 Stars Lactobacillus acidophilus Vaginal Application Apply a daily topical preparation or a suppository containing live culture | A topical preparation or suppository containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus may help relieve symptoms and prevent recurrent infections. Lactobacillus acidophilusis a strain of friendly bacteria that is an integral part of normal vaginal flora. Lactobacilli help maintain the vaginal microflora by preventing overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and Candida. Lactobacilli produce lactic acid, which acts like a natural antibiotic. These friendly bacteria also compete with other organisms for the utilization of glucose. The production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide by lactobacilli also helps to maintain the acidic pH needed for healthy vaginal flora to thrive. Most of the research has used yogurt containing live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus or the topical application of such yogurt or Lactobacillus acidophilus into the vagina. The effective amount of acidophilus depends on the strain used, as well as on the concentration of viable organisms. Vaginal application of a proprietary Lactobacillus acidophilus preparation may help bacterial vaginitis. In one trial, 80% of women with bacterial vaginitis who used the preparation were either cured or experienced marked improvement in symptoms. In another trial, application of a vaginal capsule containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus thermophilus reduced the recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis. The treatment was given for 7 consecutive days, and then after 7 days off was given for another 7 days. In another trial, women who were predisposed to vaginal Candida infection because they were HIV-positive received either Lactobacillus acidophilus vaginal suppositories, the antifungal drug, clotrimazole (for example, Gyne-Lotrimin), or placebo weekly for 21 months. Compared to those receiving placebo, women receiving Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories had only half the risk of experiencing an episode of Candida vaginitis—a result almost as good as that achieved with clotrimazole. In a preliminary trial, women with vaginal Trichomonas infection received vaginal Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories for one year. Over 90% of them were reported to be cured of their clinical symptoms in that time. Two specific strains of lactobacillus (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14) have been found to be effective against bacterial vaginosis when taken orally. In a double-blind study, supplementation with a capsule containing 10 billion of each of these organisms twice a day for 30 days increased the cure rate from antibiotic therapy to 88%, compared with a 40% cure rate in the group receiving antibiotics alone. |
2 Stars Lactobacillus rhamnosus G R-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 Oral Take a supplement providing 10 billion of each twice per day | Supplementing with probiotics may help prevent recurrences of bacterial or candidal vaginitis. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a strain of friendly bacteria that is an integral part of normal vaginal flora. Lactobacilli help maintain the vaginal microflora by preventing overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and Candida. Lactobacilli produce lactic acid, which acts like a natural antibiotic. These friendly bacteria also compete with other organisms for the utilization of glucose. The production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide by lactobacilli also helps to maintain the acidic pH needed for healthy vaginal flora to thrive. Most of the research has used yogurt containing live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus or the topical application of such yogurt or Lactobacillus acidophilus into the vagina. The effective amount of acidophilus depends on the strain used, as well as on the concentration of viable organisms. Vaginal application of a proprietary Lactobacillus acidophilus preparation may help bacterial vaginitis. In one trial, 80% of women with bacterial vaginitis who used the preparation were either cured or experienced marked improvement in symptoms. In another trial, women who were predisposed to vaginal Candida infection because they were HIV-positive received either Lactobacillus acidophilus vaginal suppositories, the antifungal drug, clotrimazole (for example, Gyne-Lotrimin), or placebo weekly for 21 months. Compared to those receiving placebo, women receiving Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories had only half the risk of experiencing an episode of Candida vaginitis—a result almost as good as that achieved with clotrimazole. In a preliminary trial, women with vaginal Trichomonas infection received vaginal Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories for one year. Over 90% of them were reported to be cured of their clinical symptoms in that time. Two specific strains of lactobacillus (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14) have been found to be effective against bacterial vaginosis when taken orally. In a double-blind study, supplementation with a capsule containing 1 billion of each of these organisms twice a day for 30 days increased the cure rate from antibiotic therapy to 88%, compared with a 40% cure rate in the group receiving antibiotics alone. In another double-blind trial, women with bacterial vaginosis received one capsule of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 (1 billion of each strain per capsule) twice a day or placebo for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the percentage women who no longer had bacterial vaginosis was significantly higher in the probiotics group than in the placebo group (62% vs. 21%). Women with bacterial vaginosis should consult their doctor to determine whether these probiotic strains might be an effective alternative to antibiotics. |
2 Stars Neem Use a cream containing seed extract, saponins of Sapindus mukerossi (reetha), and quinine hydrochloride (5 ml applied vaginally once at bedtime) | In one trial, a cream containing neem seed extract, saponins of reetha, and quinine hydrochloride eliminated all symptoms in 10 of 14 women with chlamydia. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a cream containing neem seed extract, saponins of Sapindus mukerossi (reetha), and quinine hydrochloride (5 ml applied vaginally once at bedtime) eliminated all symptoms in 10 of 14 women with chlamydia compared with none of four women given placebo cream. Neither cream was effective in women with trichomoniasis or candidal vaginitis. |
2 Stars Vitamin D Refer to label instructions | In one double-blind trial, women with vaginitis who were not experiencing any symptoms were given vitamin D daily and had a higher cure rate than the control group. In a double-blind trial, women with bacterial vaginosis who were not experiencing any symptoms were given 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day or no vitamin D (control group) for 15 weeks. The cure rate was significantly higher in the vitamin D group than in the control group (63.5% vs. 19.2%). Vitamin D is thought to work by improving the functioning of the immune system. |
1 Star Barberry Refer to label instructions | Barberry is antibacterial and may be effective against infectious vaginitis. Teas of goldenseal, barberry, and echinacea are also sometimes used to treat infectious vaginitis. Although all three plants are known to be antibacterial in the test tube, the effectiveness of these herbs against vaginal infections has not been tested in humans. The usual approach is to douche with one of these teas twice each day, using 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 grams) of herb per pint of water. One to two pints (500–1,000 ml) are usually enough for each douching session. Echinacea is also known to improve immune function in humans. In order to increase resistance against infection, many doctors recommend oral use of the tincture or alcohol-preserved fresh juice of echinacea (1 teaspoon (5 ml) three or more times per day)—during all types of infection—to improve resistance. |
1 Star Echinacea Refer to label instructions | Echinacea is antibacterial and known to improve resistance to infection. Teas of goldenseal, barberry, and echinacea are also sometimes used to treat infectious vaginitis. Although all three plants are known to be antibacterial in the test tube, the effectiveness of these herbs against vaginal infections has not been tested in humans. The usual approach is to douche with one of these teas twice each day, using 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 grams) of herb per pint of water. One to two pints (500–1,000 ml) are usually enough for each douching session. Echinacea is also known to improve immune function in humans. In order to increase resistance against infection, many doctors recommend oral use of the tincture or alcohol-preserved fresh juice of echinacea (1 teaspoon (5 ml) three or more times per day)—during all types of infection—to improve resistance. |
1 Star Goldenseal Refer to label instructions | Goldenseal is antibacterial and may be effective against infectious vaginitis. Teas of goldenseal, barberry, and echinacea are also sometimes used to treat infectious vaginitis. Although all three plants are known to be antibacterial in the test tube, the effectiveness of these herbs against vaginal infections has not been tested in humans. The usual approach is to douche with one of these teas twice each day, using 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 grams) of herb per pint of water. One to two pints (500–1,000 ml) are usually enough for each douching session. Echinacea is also known to improve immune function in humans. In order to increase resistance against infection, many doctors recommend oral use of the tincture or alcohol-preserved fresh juice of echinacea (1 teaspoon (5 ml) three or more times per day)—during all types of infection—to improve resistance. |
1 Star Tea Tree Refer to label instructions | Topically applied tea tree oil has been used successfully as a topical treatment for Trichomonas, Candida albicans, and other vaginal infections. Topically applied tea tree oil has been studied and used successfully as a topical treatment for Trichomonas,Candida albicans, and other vaginal infections. Tea tree oil must be diluted when used as a vaginal douche, and should only be used for this purpose under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Some physicians suggest using tea tree oil by mixing the full-strength oil with vitamin E oil in the proportion of 1/3 tea tree oil to 2/3 vitamin E oil. A tampon is saturated with this mixture or the mixture is put in a capsule to be inserted in the vagina each day for a maximum of six weeks. |
1 Star Vitamin A Refer to label instructions | Some doctors recommend vaginal administration of vitamin A to improve the integrity of the vaginal tissue and to enhance the function of local immune cells. Some doctors recommend vitamin E (taken orally, topically, or vaginally) for certain types of vaginitis. Vitamin E as a suppository in the vagina or vitamin E oil can be used once or twice per day for 3 to 14 days to soothe the mucous membranes of the vagina and vulva. Some doctors recommend vaginal administration of vitamin A to improve the integrity of the vaginal tissue and to enhance the function of local immune cells. Vitamin A can be administered vaginally by inserting a vitamin A capsule or using a prepared vitamin A suppository. Vitamin A used this way can be irritating to local tissue, so it should not be used more than once per day for up to seven consecutive days. |
1 Star Vitamin E Refer to label instructions | Some doctors recommend vitamin E (taken orally, topically, or vaginally) for certain types of vaginitis. Some doctors recommend vitamin E (taken orally, topically, or vaginally) for certain types of vaginitis. Vitamin E as a suppository in the vagina or vitamin E oil can be used once or twice per day for 3 to 14 days to soothe the mucous membranes of the vagina and vulva. Some doctors recommend vaginal administration of vitamin A to improve the integrity of the vaginal tissue and to enhance the function of local immune cells. Vitamin A can be administered vaginally by inserting a vitamin A capsule or using a prepared vitamin A suppository. Vitamin A used this way can be irritating to local tissue, so it should not be used more than once per day for up to seven consecutive days. |
Last Review: 06-08-2015
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.
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