Probiotics for Vaginal Health Amy Smith, December 29, 2022September 22, 2023 Why Probiotics are Important for Your Vaginal Health Image Source: Freepik It’s common knowledge that probiotics aid gut health. Whether on your morning yogurt or cottage cheese, probiotics help balance the microbes in your digestive tract. What you didn’t know is it helps with vaginal health, too! How true is it? Companies have debated the effectiveness of probiotics on the health of your vagina. Some experts claim that there is almost no evidence of having this benefit, while others say otherwise. However, this skeptical view changed when more promising scientific knowledge suggested that probiotic properties help eliminate bad bacteria in your V. Which is a fact, and which is fiction? It’s essential that you understand more about the benefits of probiotics to your body and know the best probiotics for vaginal health. Benefits of Probiotics Probiotics are good, live bacteria that naturally live in your body to keep it healthy and fight off the bad bacteria to keep it in balance. They are part of a whole ecosystem of bacteria in the human body called the microbiome. Luckily, they are the beneficial microbe that helps with your immune system, aids digestion, and has more bodily functions than you know. These microbes are commonly found in your gut, mouth, urinary tract, skin, lungs, and of course, you guessed it right – the vagina! Take note that there are trillions of microbes in the human body, many of which are bad. You must carefully sort facts about purposely tolerating bacteria in your body, especially when it concerns your vaginal health. Good thing this information is one click away as experts already did it for you. Research finds that probiotics help improve the overall health of your vagina and outnumber harmful bacteria to stabilize the vaginal flora further. There’s even increasing evidence that probiotics effectively treat yeast infection and Bacterial vaginosis (BV). If you’re experiencing discomfort from these fungal and bacterial infections (respectively), you’re not alone. Many vaginal imbalances lead to yeast infections and BV caused by the following reasons but not limited to: unprotected sex birth control pills hormonal imbalance poor hygiene menstrual cycle child-bearing Lactobacillus, a common probiotic, is the most abundant microbe in the vagina, but it’s the good cop! Look for probiotics Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus if you want to promote improved overall vaginal health. Of around 500 different strains of probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus is probiotic good for yeast infections. Meanwhile, Lacticasebacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus reuteri are the best probiotics for BV. Probiotics generally don’t have side effects, but it’s best to consult your physician if you have any recurring vaginal infections. Probiotics for Women’s Vaginal Health The effects of vaginal probiotics on women still spark controversy in the health industry to this day. However, it’s been proven time and time again that probiotics play an important role in women’s vaginal health. From stabilizing the vaginal environment and improving immune defense to preventing the development of cervical cancer, women seek probiotics to ease the many key responsibilities of having…well, a vagina. Yeast infections and Bacterial vaginosis usually stem from a chemical imbalance in the vagina caused by the fungus Candida and bacteria Gardnerella vaginalis or Prevotella. More often than not, these exist naturally. The problem arises when it outnumbers the good bacteria in your vagina. While it’s true that probiotics play important key roles in maintaining a healthy vagina, some women often resort to desperate solutions to introduce the beneficial bacteria into the vagina, like soaking tampons in yogurt, tea tree oil, and even garlic cloves which are highly not advisable. Best Probiotics for Yeast Infection and BV Study on benefits of probiotics to women’s vaginal health progresses over time. Like almost everything in life, moderation is key. Nothing good comes from too much or too little. Eating probiotic-rich foods is the best way to increase beneficial microbes in your body. It’s easy to incorporate these into your diet without realizing it’s making a great difference. Yogurt, buttermilk, and sourdough bread would be a great addition to your breakfast. Try Kombucha and Tempeh for lunch, fermented pickles for a side dish, and Kimchi or Miso soup for dinner. Taking the more natural solution to aid your vaginal health problems will benefit you stronger and cost you nothing. When the case comes to worse, you can turn to probiotic supplements and use them as directed. There are several ways you can include probiotic supplements in your diet. They can be taken in the form of food, powders, drinks, or capsules/pills. A feminine probiotic with clinical ingredients of Lactobacillus plantarum Rosella (including oral intake) is proven effective in helping maintain vaginal balance and fight recurrent vaginal infections. It is a unique strain of probiotic bacteria commonly found in the mouth and gut, later discovered to support healthy vaginal flora. It’s undeniable that oral treatments are convenient for men and women alike when it comes to addressing health concerns. Nowadays, orally-administered medication of feminine probiotics is made available for women frustrated with their vaginal health. Probiotics and Overall Health Now that you know the benefits of probiotics to your vagina, it doesn’t mean you can introduce this microbe to your body any way you like. Adding probiotic products to your diet is best when discussed with a healthcare professional. Many providers will convince you to try, but only you can know what seems fit. There are hundreds of probiotics that behave differently, thus generating different effects. It’s important that you take responsibility for your choices as these can affect not only certain parts of your body but your overall health as well. If the natural way doesn’t work, you will want to try probiotics that have soothing effects and contain the right Lactobacillus. As mentioned, this is worth a conversation with your healthcare provider. Besides the fact that this concerns your health, you will also want to ensure you follow the appropriate dosage and directions. Your overall well-being will improve when you give your vagina the proper care and attention it needs. Share on FacebookTweetFollow usSave Articles Health