Natural treatments for vaginal infections
Natural treatments for vaginal infections encompass various remedies aimed at addressing infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Common causes of these infections include yeast (Candida albicans), bacteria (Gardnerella vaginalis), and parasites (Trichomonas vaginalis), with factors like antibiotic use, hormonal changes, and diabetes contributing to their development. While conventional treatments often involve antifungal medications and antibiotics, some individuals seek alternative methods.
Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, are suggested for their potential to restore the natural balance of vaginal flora, although evidence of their effectiveness remains mixed. Essential oils like tea tree oil have been explored for their antifungal and antibacterial properties, but scientific validation is limited. Other proposed natural treatments include boric acid, which has shown promise in studies but comes with safety concerns, and various herbal remedies such as garlic and goldenseal, along with newer options like oregano oil and coconut oil, which have demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy.
While some studies indicate potential benefits of these natural treatments, it is important to consider that ongoing research is needed to validate their effectiveness and ensure safe use. Individuals interested in exploring these options should consult with healthcare professionals for guidance tailored to their specific needs.
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Subject Terms
Natural treatments for vaginal infections
DEFINITION: Treatment of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections of the vagina.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: None
OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Boric acid, essential oils, garlic, goldenseal, probiotics, Solanum nigrescens, Tabebuia avellanedae, tea tree oil, vitamin C
Introduction
There are three main causes of vaginal infections: the fungus (yeast) Candida albicans, the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, and the bacterial organism Gardnerella vaginalis. Factors that can contribute to vaginal infections include antibiotics (which kill friendly bacteria, allowing yeast to grow), corticosteroids and human immunodeficiency virus infection (which suppress the immune system), oral contraceptives and pregnancy (which alter the vaginal environment by changing hormone levels), and diabetes (increased sugar levels provide a friendly environment for yeast).
Conventional medical treatment for vaginal infections caused by Candida includes vaginal suppositories or a cream containing the antifungal clotrimazole (Lotrimin) or the oral medication fluconazole (Diflucan). Women with diabetes often find that yeast infections are less common when their blood sugar levels are well controlled.
The sexually transmitted infection trichomonas, sometimes called “trich,” is treated with 500 milligrams of oral metronidazole (Metrogel) for one week, and a Gardnerella infection, sometimes called bacterial vaginosis, is treated with oral or vaginal metronidazole or vaginal clindamycin. Nonspecific vaginitis is usually caused by Gardnerella, but there are other causes.
Proposed Natural Treatments
There are some promising natural treatments for vaginal infections caused by Candida and other organisms, but the scientific evidence for them is still being uncovered. Probiotics (friendly bacteria) such as Lactobacillus acidophilus are normally found in the vagina. When colonies of these organisms are present, it is difficult for unfriendly organisms, such as Candida, to become established. Certain probiotic supplements can help restore a normal balance of vaginal organisms, which could, in theory, reduce the chance of developing a vaginal yeast infection. For this reason, women who frequently experience yeast infections or who are taking antibiotics are often advised to consume probiotics. However, evidence that probiotics really help prevent vaginal yeast infections remains incomplete and inconsistent.
A fairly large study (278 participants) failed to find Lactobacillus helpful for preventing yeast infections caused by antibiotics. A 2017 study found that patients who ate low-sugar yogurt, known to be high in probiotics, restored healthy gut flora, reducing the chances of yeast infection. Similar findings were reported in a 2020 study for the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus in treating bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. A 2023 meta-analysis of six randomized control trials confirmed the positive benefits of ingesting probiotics to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis compared to placebo groups. Additionally, participants reported few side effects, and none were severe.
Another kind of vaginal infection, called bacterial vaginosis, is most often caused by G. vaginalis. In a study of women with a history of bacterial vaginosis, researchers found that vaginally inserting a daily capsule containing the probiotics L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, and Streptococcus thermophilus did reduce recurrence. Although this study found benefit, other studies have produced mixed results regarding the benefits of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of bacterial vaginosis.
Tea tree oil, an essential oil from the plant Melaleuca alternifolia, possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties and appears to spare friendly bacteria in the Lactobacillus family. Tea tree oil has been tried for various forms of vaginal infection, but there is little scientific evidence that it works. In an open trial, ninety-six women with trichomonal vaginitis were treated with tampons saturated in tea tree oil, which were left in the vagina for twenty-four hours, and then followed by daily vaginal douches with a tea tree oil solution. The researcher reported good results with this regimen in three to four weeks. However, because this was not a double-blind trial, the results mean little. A study in 2020 found that tea tree oil was an effective treatment for vaginal infections resistant to antifungal medications.
A double-blind study of one hundred women found vitamin C vaginal tablets (250 milligrams) at most marginally helpful for nonspecific vaginitis. Boric acid, a chemical substance with antiseptic properties, was part of a double-blind comparison study of 108 women with yeast infections. The study found that 92 percent of those who used boric acid suppositories nightly for two weeks experienced full recovery, compared to 64 percent of those given suppositories of the “outdated” antifungal drug nystatin. However, there are safety concerns with boric acid. If taken orally, it is toxic, causing kidney failure and circulatory system failures. For this reason, it should not be applied to open wounds. In addition, it should not be used by pregnant women or be applied to the skin of infants.
A single-blind trial involving one hundred women with Candida vaginitis compared nystatin suppositories with suppositories made from the plant Solanum nigrescens and found equivalent benefits. However, this plant can be toxic and should not be used except under physician supervision.
Labratory studies have found antifungal properties in numerous herbs, including the tropical tree Tabebuia avellanedae, garlic extracts, the plant alkaloid berberine sulfate (found in goldenseal), and essential oils of various plants, including cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemongrass, oregano, palmarosa, and peppermint. A 2017 study of oregano oil found it to be a more effective antifungal medicine for vaginal infections than prescription medications. Its antimicrobial properties effectively restore vaginal pH levels, and it is safe enough to be applied vaginally. A study published in 2018 on the use of coconut oil for vaginal infections found that it, too, had powerful antimicrobial properties against C. Albicans. Finally, apple cider vinegar has also been recommended as an antral treatment for vaginal infections.
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