Restoring the Vaginal and Gut Microbiome
Recurring vaginal yeast infections can be incredibly frustrating, leaving many women searching for long-term solutions. Whether you’ve experienced temporary relief from conventional treatments or continue to battle persistent infections despite trying multiple remedies, it’s clear that supporting the vaginal and gut microbiome is a key step towards recovery.
This third stage stage of the Yeast Infection Treatment Program focuses on restoring balance to the vagina and gut, offering a lasting approach to relief and health.
Why Restoring the Microbiome is Key
Temporary solutions like prescription creams or over-the-counter antifungal drugs of dietary supplements often fall short when it comes to addressing the root causes of yeast infections. This is why we emphasise Stage 1 of our Yeast Infection Treatment program—identifying the underlying cause. While these quick fixes may provide short-term relief, they rarely prevent infections from returning, leading to an ongoing cycle of discomfort and frustration.
Stage 2, the vaginal cleansing phase, sets the foundation for this critical stage: restoring the vaginal and gut microbiome. These interconnected ecosystems play a vital role in maintaining balance and preventing Candida overgrowth.
True freedom from yeast infections requires more than symptom management—it demands a comprehensive strategy that addresses the microbiome at its core. You’ll not only manage and clear all the symptoms of yeast infection this way, but also work toward rebalancing both your vaginal and gut microbiome for long-term and sustainable results.
Our comprehensive approach integrates local treatments, dietary recommendations, and targeted supplementation to address the deeper imbalances that allow Candida overgrowth to thrive.
The Four-Stage Yeast Infection Treatment Protocol
Our newly updated program builds on my original three-stage approach outlined in Candida Crusher (2013).
After much clinical experience and the latest research into the vaginal microbiome, I’ve refined the method into a four-stage protocol for considerably more effective and long-term results.
You’ll find our program spread out over four main blog posts on this website.
A 12-Week Commitment for Chronic Cases
For women experiencing chronic or recurrent vaginal yeast infections, consistency is critical. A three-month (12-week) commitment allows the microbiome to fully restore and balance, significantly reducing the risk of relapse. While each case is unique, this time frame has proven essential for achieving lasting results.
Here’s More About The Program:
By committing to these steps, you’ll have the tools needed to break the cycle of recurring infections and regain control over your health.
A Proven Approach Backed by Clinical Experience
Drawing from more than three decades of clinical experience and a deep specialisation in Candida overgrowth and chronic vaginal thrush, I’ve worked with women from diverse backgrounds, many struggling with severe and persistent cases of vaginal yeast infections.
I was one of the first naturopaths in New Zealand to provide online consultations, launching an online clinic as early as 2003 when Skype first became available. By the time I retired from clinical practice in 2019, our clinic had proudly served patients in over 60 countries, offering personalised care and innovative solutions.
The countless success stories from my practice highlight the effectiveness of the treatment protocol our clinic has developed over a long period of time. Our Yeast Infection Treatment Program was born from years of dedicated research, hands-on clinical experience, and a commitment to finding natural solutions for women dealing with chronic vaginal and gut health issues.
Addressing the Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms
Unlike conventional treatments that often focus solely on masking symptoms, this program is built around addressing the underlying causes of yeast infections. Chronic infections are rarely just a localized issue; they often stem from systemic imbalances, particularly within the gut and vaginal microbiome.
By targeting the root causes of these imbalances, this program provides a sustainable path to healing. Restoring harmony to the vaginal and gut microbiota is not only key to resolving current infections but also crucial for preventing recurrences. This holistic approach ensures that you’re not just managing symptoms temporarily but creating an environment where your body can maintain its health naturally over the long term.
The focus on microbiome restoration, coupled with dietary and lifestyle strategies, has been the cornerstone of my success in helping thousands of women regain their health. With this program, you’re not just addressing a condition—you’re building a foundation for lasting wellness.
Next Steps …
Explore the four specific stages of this program to gain a deeper understanding of how each step contributes to restoring your vaginal and gut health. Whether you want to dive into the details or simply follow the practical guidelines, this approach is designed to be user-friendly and very flexible – and best of all, all our program information is free of charge.
Take control of your health by committing to our program. With patience, consistency, and the right strategy, you can achieve relief from yeast infections and restore your microbiome for long-term health.
Here is a brief overview of the 4 stages that make up the Yeast Infection Treatment Program:
The 4-Steps to Vaginal Cleansing and Balancing
The 4-step yeast infection treatment protocol integrates the latest scientific insights and decades of clinical experience, offering a practical and highly effective alternative to standard pharmaceutical treatments. Not only have the methods we recommend been scientifically-validated to perform as well, if not better, than drug-based interventions, and clinically-validated over more than 30 years, they also provide long-term relief by addressing the root cause of vaginal yeast infections.
Each stage is vital, but Stage 3 is where the gut and microbiome restoration occurs. This is where you shift from managing infections to building a healthy foundation for lasting gut and vaginal health.
Please share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear how this program is helping you on your journey to great health.
Step 3 – Microbiome Balancing – Vaginal And Gut Microbiome Balancing
Restoring Vaginal and Gut Microbiome Harmony
Balancing the vaginal microbiome is a critical step in restoring harmony and preventing recurrent yeast infections. The vaginal microbiome comprises beneficial microorganisms, like Lactobacillus species, alongside opportunistic pathogens such as harmful bacteria and yeast. When lactic acid levels decrease, vaginal pH rises, often leading to a condition called vaginal dysbiosis.
This step focuses on restoring harmony by promoting beneficial bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus species, which increase natural vaginal acidity and help regulate the natural acid-alkaline balance.
This process soothes symptoms such as burning, redness, itching, and inflammation, helping your body transition to a healthier state. It’s especially beneficial after the cleansing step and should be performed carefully to achieve the best results.
Below, I’ll outline how this easy procedure works and provide evidence supporting the use of Lactobacillus probiotics for vaginal yeast infections.
Why Microbiome Balancing Matters
The balancing step works to:
Balancing provides relief from symptoms, especially following the cleansing step. While some may find repeated cleansing necessary before progressing to balancing, others can alternate between the two for optimal results.
This 3rd balancing step is all about personalisation, adjust the intensity and frequency of treatments based on your symptoms and comfort. I’ve found from experience this can range from mild treatment to very intense. It’s all about what treatment level you feel comfortable with and how much relief and benefit you are experiencing from it.
The Importance of Timing in the Vaginal Balancing Step
This 3rd balancing step should always come after the cleansing step. This sequence ensures that your vaginal environment is prepared for healing and recovery. It is also best after you quit alcohol, ice cream, soda drinks, or any other high-sugar foods or drinks. There is little point in ignoring Stage 1 – Identify the Cause if you are looking for a permanent fix, a cure.
Here are some important points to consider:
Methods to Support Vaginal Balance:
Takeaway: Key Steps to Effective Microbiome Balancing
Balancing is a critical part of long-term vaginal health. When done correctly, it helps create a stable and resilient microbiome that protects against infections and supports overall well-being.
Let’s now talk about why vaginal balancing matters, and then discuss different types of vaginal douching approaches.
The Vaginal Balancing Douche
The Aim: To Restore The Vaginal Microbiome
The balancing step goes beyond symptom relief to address the root cause of vaginal discomfort. By restoring the vaginal microbiome, this step encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, helping to stabilize pH levels and create a protective barrier against harmful microorganisms.
The soothing properties of the balancing douche also provide immediate relief for symptoms such as redness, itching, and inflammation, while promoting long-term healing.
Incorporating balancing treatments as part of your vaginal care routine can significantly reduce the recurrence of infections and help maintain optimal health.
Alongside dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and probiotics, this method supports the development of a resilient vaginal microbiome.
Let’s now look at different ways of applying microbiome balancing treatments vaginally:
Vaginal Applicators
There are many types of vaginal applicators available at your local or online chemist. Some people settle for the more comfortable type with a soft and flexible silicone tip. It’s important you find something to suit your needs. See if you can find a design like the universal vaginal applicator (UVA) like below.
The Turkey Baster
A turkey baster is used by many women. They are readily available at kitchen shops or again, online. Get one with a silicon tip, it is nice and soft.
Turkey basters are easy to disassemble and clean, they are inexpensive and easily available.
There are however better options, especially when it comes to the application of the yogurt and probiotic powder mixture. The option we recommend is the UVA, the Universal Vaginal Applicator.
The Universal Vaginal Applicator (UVA)
A significant advancement in vaginal care is the Universal Vaginal Applicator (UVA), which has proven to be more effective than conventional applicators for distributing vaginal formulations.
Why the UVA is Superior
Traditional vaginal applicators often have a single hole, which results in uneven distribution of creams or liquids. This incomplete coverage leaves parts of the vaginal and cervical mucosa untreated, reducing the effectiveness of therapies.
To address this issue, researchers designed the UVA with multiple small holes around the top and sides. This innovative design ensures that vaginal formulations are distributed homogeneously across the entire vaginal and cervical mucosa.
An MRI study demonstrated that the UVA applicator delivers a uniform spread of creams or liquids, providing better coverage and enhancing the efficacy of vaginal treatments (Omar 2014).
Easy Availability
The UVA applicator may be available online or at local chemist or pharmacy. It’s worth exploring this option to improve the results of your vaginal treatments.
How To Use The Vaginal Balancing Douche
Personalising Your Treatment
The following vaginal treatment can be tailored to your preferences. Some women use the full combination of probiotics and yogurt, while others find yogurt alone effective. Some use a full capsule, others a half. Trust your instincts and observe how your body responds. Pay attention to any signs of improvement or discomfort and adjust accordingly.
Treatment Duration
What You Need
How To Complete The Balancing Douche
By including this step in your vaginal health routine, you can create a supportive environment for beneficial bacteria, reduce symptoms, and prevent future infections.
Special Considerations for Vaginal Balancing
For Women with PMS, Endometriosis, or PCOS
If you have a history of premenstrual syndrome (PMS/PMT), endometriosis, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the balancing step is generally well-tolerated and less likely to cause treatment aggravations compared to the cleansing step. This makes it a safer and more comfortable phase for women with these conditions.
Caution for Major Genito-Urinary Conditions
Women with severe genito-urinary ailments such as cervical dysplasia, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), or interstitial cystitis should proceed with care. It’s best to start slowly and monitor your response to treatments before increasing frequency or intensity. Gaining confidence and experience over time is key to achieving positive outcomes without unnecessary discomfort.
By utilising tools like the UVA, yogurt, and probiotics, and following tailored balancing protocols, you can maximise the effectiveness of your vaginal care regimen while minimising risks and discomfort.
Calendula Douche Calendula Cream – Use in Stage 2 and Stage 3
Calendula cream and calendula douche are both highly and effective. We recommend their use throughout the Stage 2 Deep Cleanse and this stage, Stage 3, Microbiome Rebalancing. Our clinic has always found Calendula is unmatched for its skin-healing and anti-fungal benefits.
Calendula is particularly effective for women recovering from vaginal trauma such as childbirth, episiotomies, or vaginal tears.
Calendula’s powerful properties not only aid in soothing the vaginal area but also promote rapid tissue healing and regeneration, making it ideal for lingering issues caused by trauma or infections.
Why Calendula is So Effective
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is one of the most potent herbal remedies for fungal infections and skin healing. Its anti-fungal properties help combat yeast and bacterial imbalances, while its renowned ability to regenerate tissues supports the repair of delicate skin after damage.
Calendula also calms irritation, reduces inflammation, and creates a protective environment for healing.
Using a low-alcohol calendula tincture ensures gentle but effective action, avoiding further irritation to sensitive tissues.
Study: Calendula Cream Better Than Clomitrazole
A triple-blind clinical trial compared the effectiveness of Calendula officinalis vaginal cream and clotrimazole in treating vaginal Candidiasis and improving sexual function. The study involved 150 married women aged 18-45, each using 5 grams of vaginal cream nightly for seven days. Initial follow-ups showed clotrimazole was more effective early on (74% testing negative vs. 49% for Calendula) (Saffari et al., 2017).
However, by the second follow-up, Calendula significantly outperformed clotrimazole, with 77% testing negative for Candidiasis compared to 34% in the clotrimazole group. Signs and symptoms were similar at the first follow-up but were markedly reduced in the Calendula group at the second follow-up. Both treatments equally improved sexual function. Overall, Calendula demonstrated a slower onset but greater long-term effectiveness in treating vaginal Candidiasis.
Study Summary
Benefits of Calendula for Vaginal Healing
How to Use the Calendula Douche
To prepare and apply the calendula douche, follow these steps:
Integrating calendula into your vaginal care routine provides a natural and highly-effective way of supporting and healing vaginal tissue, thereby contributing to the cleansing and restoration of the vaginal microbiota.
Key Articles About Women’s Yeast Infections
The Cleanse and Balance Approach to Vaginal Health
For managing deep-seated Candida or bacterial infections, the Cleanse and Balance approach offers a powerful and effective solution by combining natural cleansing and microbiome-restoring treatments.
Just like calendula cream and calendula douche, the garlic and probiotic technique can be used in both Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the Yeast infection Treatment Program.
Garlic Cleansing Protocol
Garlic, a well-known anti-fungal herb, plays a dual role in vaginal health. It directly targets and kills Candida without harming beneficial vaginal flora, making it an ideal cleansing agent.
Additionally, garlic acts as a prebiotic, nourishing beneficial bacteria and encouraging a healthier microbiome.
To use, insert garlic tampons, capsules, or fresh garlic intra-vaginally in the morning to cleanse, disrupt Candida growth, and create an environment less favourable for harmful pathogens.
Probiotic Balancing Protocol
Follow the cleansing step with the Probiotic Balancing Protocol by inserting a Yeastrix Probiotic capsule intra-vaginally in the evening. This restores the balance of beneficial bacteria, strengthens the vaginal microbiome, and promotes long-term vaginal health.
Together, these protocols work synergistically to halt Candida overgrowth while supporting a resilient and thriving microbiome, addressing both the immediate infection and the underlying imbalance.
Key Benefits of This Dual-Approach
Let’s now delve a bit deeper into the topic of probiotics and vaginal health, there’s been a lot of research lately:
Probiotics And Vaginal Yeast Infections
Restoring balance to the vaginal microbiota is key to resolving and preventing yeast infections. By transitioning from dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) to eubiosis (a state of wellness), women can experience significant improvements in their vaginal health. Central to this balance are lactobacillus species, which play a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
The Role of Lactobacillus in Vaginal Health
Lactobacillus species are primary producers of lactic acid, which helps maintain the vaginal pH below 4.5, creating an environment unfavourable for Candida overgrowth. Studies highlight the critical role of these beneficial bacteria in supporting vaginal health (O’Hanlon 2013).
This interaction underscores the importance of incorporating probiotics into a yeast infection treatment plan.
Probiotics offer significant advantages over over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products. While OTCs may provide temporary relief, they can disrupt the delicate balance of vaginal pH and flora, potentially worsening the issue. In contrast, probiotics address the root cause of the problem: microbial imbalance. Regular use of lactobacillus-based probiotics not only helps restore balance but also supports long-term vaginal health and overall well-being.
Scientific Evidence Supporting Probiotic Use
An internet search will reveal 75 studies alone on the National Library of Medicine website. concerning Lactobacillus species of bacteria and vaginal yeast infections.
The effectiveness of probiotics in addressing vaginal yeast infections and related conditions is backed by numerous rigorous clinical (in-vivo) and laboratory (in-vitro) studies. Here are a mere handful:
Daily Probiotics for Long-Term Health
Incorporating a high-quality probiotic supplement containing lactobacillus strains into your daily routine can significantly support vaginal health. These beneficial bacteria help maintain the natural balance of vaginal flora, reduce the risk of future infections, and support a healthy vaginal pH.
Women who take daily probiotics often notice additional benefits, including improved comfort and enhanced overall physical and mental health. For those looking for an advanced option, Yeastrix Probiotics provides targeted support with strains designed to promote Candida balance and long-term vaginal health.
By prioritising probiotics as part of your daily routine, you can support your body’s natural defenses and achieve lasting vaginal wellness.
Best Vaginal Balancing Hints and Tips
Achieving and maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome is an ongoing process that requires consistent care and attention. Vaginal balancing protocols are particularly effective for re-introducing beneficial bacteria and restoring the natural pH and microflora of the vaginal environment. These hints and tips can help you achieve long-term results while minimising the recurrence of infections.
Maintenance Protocols
Vaginal balancing should not be seen as a one-time fix. For optimal results, consider repeating the protocol a few times a year or as needed. This proactive approach helps maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome and prevents recurrent infections.
Cultivating Gut Health
Maintaining gut health is directly linked to vaginal health. To reduce the likelihood of Candida levels building high counts, and harmful E. coli bacteria from migrating from the rectal area to the vagina, prioritise cultivating healthy gut bacteria.
Research has shown that probiotics used as adjuvant therapy in non-pregnant women can enhance the frequency of short-term clinical and yeast infection recovery and lower the relapse rate at one month, in comparison to conventional treatment. (Yu Xie 2017)
Reintroducing Beneficial Bacteria
After completing the antimicrobial cleansing protocol, follow the balancing build protocol for several days. This step allows beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, to repopulate and create a stable and healthy vaginal environment. Incorporating probiotics both intra-vaginally and orally can enhance the results..
Probiotics: The Best Defence Against BV
Since no over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are approved for bacterial vaginal dysbiosis, probiotics are the best option. Probiotic suppositories, utilising Yeastrix Probiotics and Greek yogurt, are particularly effective at restoring the delicate vaginal microflora.
Recap: A Comprehensive Approach That’s Clinically Proven To Work
A holistic approach is important if we are to expect the best possible outcomes. By integrating these above mentioned practices into our routine, we’ll foster a healthier vaginal environment and significantly reduce the risk of recurring infections. Our vaginal and gut health will improve and only get better over time as a consequence.
It’s why in chronic or stubborn cases of yeast infection, in addition to our 4-stage Yeast Infection Treatment we recommend:
Key Takeaways: Stage 3 Microbiome Balancing
Eric Bakker N.D.
Greetings! I am a naturopathic physician from New Zealand. Although I’ve retired from clinical practice since 2019, I remain passionate about helping people improve their lives. You’ll find I’m active online with a focus on natural health and wellbeing education through my Facebook page and YouTube channel, including this website.
