The human body is home to 100 trillion microorganisms including bacteria and yeast. That’s right—trillion. These organisms either reside on or inside the body. In fact, your body needs them to perform several functions. Isn’t that amazing?

It gets even better. Almost 85% of these teeny, tiny organisms are extremely essential for us to exist and function properly. Only about 15% of these organisms are thought to be pathogenic which means they’re capable of causing diseases and infections. The microorganisms that are actually good for your body are known as “probiotics”.

 

What’s the 'Good' in Probiotics?

Probiotics are actually beneficial species of bacteria and yeast living in your body especially in the organs like the digestive tract, vagina, and skin. Their role is to maintain the proper and healthy functioning of these organs. Sometimes, probiotics can be taken as supplements or in pill form when your natural microbiome is out of balance.

Usually, they are all bacteria, but some yeast species are also considered to be probiotics. Usually, they include species of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium and certain yeasts such as Saccharomyces Boulardii.

Lactobacilli species help in digestion, prevention of problems such as diarrhea, colon inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, vaginal yeast infections, and urinary tract infections.

Bifidobacterium improves immunity, inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, and improves intestinal health.

Boulardii, we know, it’s very difficult to pronounce but fighting off and preventing vaginal yeast infections comes easily to it. The thing is disease-causing yeast already reside in your vagina but its growth is prevented by probiotics such as S. Boulardii.

 

Generally, these three probiotics bring back good bacteria into the body, remove bad bacteria and yeast, and boost our immune system and our health. 

 

Benefits of Probiotics for Vaginal Health

Now that we know what probiotics are and what they do. Let’s get into the details of  probiotics and vaginal health problems.

1. They produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide which keeps the pH of the vagina under 4.5 and above 3.8. Remember, this is the ideal pH level for your vagina at which harmful or bad bacteria don’t stand a chance of growing.
2. They fight disease and infection-causing organisms and stop their growth.
3. They keep the growth of bad yeast in check, which can cause vaginal yeast infections. 
4. Sometimes infection-causing bacteria stick to the walls of the vagina and hide under a dense film. Probiotics don’t allow them to stick in there, they are removed along with the vaginal discharge.
5. They allow beneficial bacterial species to make their way in the vagina and overpower bad bacteria.

 

The Probiotic Protect, promote, and maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome Shop Probiotic

 

Vaginal Infections? Not with Probiotics!

Some medical practitioners claim that probiotics are considered to be more efficient when treating and preventing vaginal infections as compared to conventional antibiotics by. This is mainly because;

• Antibiotics do not differentiate between bad and good bacteria, they kill all of them.
• After an antibiotic course, your vagina is more or less like an empty house and is more likely to get harmful bacteria as new inhabitants begin to manifest into the vagina. This is due to pollution and unhygienic lifestyles mainly.
• Recurrence of vaginal infections is very common after an antibiotic treatment.
• Some of the vaginal infections like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Yeast infections and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can be treated and prevented by using the right probiotics at the right time.

  

Bacterial Vaginosis

According to CDC, one of the most common vaginal infections in women aged 15-44. About 21.2 million cases of reported every year in the US. It is suggested that every other woman worldwide is suffering from BV, with or without the occurrence of symptoms. Women who are sexually active, pregnant or who are experiencing menopause are more likely to get infected.

The cause is simply the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, reduced number of Lactobacilli in your vagina, and a disturbed pH balance. Symptoms such as thin grayish vaginal discharge with fishy smell are very common indicators.

 

Role of Probiotics in Treating BV

Probiotics such as L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri (all present in our Probiotic) when taken as oral supplements or dairy products can increase the number of good bacteria in your system. Which will, in turn, overpower bad bacteria. These probiotics produce lactic acid which can keep your vagina slightly acidic and keep away the infections.

 

Yeast Infections

The main culprit in the case of vaginal yeast infections is Candida species especially C. albicans. Yeast infections are so common that they affect 75% of women at least once in their lives.

The cause is the uncontrolled growth of naturally occurring yeast in your vagina mainly due to unhygienic choices and pH imbalance. Symptoms include thick clumpy and cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge typically with no odor.

 

Role of Probiotics in Treating Vaginal Yeast Infections

Probiotics include a few strains of beneficial yeast such as S. boulardii which inhibits the growth of harmful yeast in the vagina and keeps the vagina acidic. These few strands also boost your natural immunity and recolonize healthy microbial flora. Taking anti-fungal medications along with probiotics help in healing and preventing vaginal yeast infections.

 

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

These infections are caused by transmission of disease-causing bacteria from either the rectum or your vagina to your bladder and urethra. They affect kidneys. too, if left untreated and accompanied with pain while urinating, pain in kidneys, and/or burning sensations and inflammation. Most of the time women who have recurrent BV or vaginal yeast infections are also affected with UTIs at some point in their lives. 

 

Role of Probiotics in Treating UTIs

Probiotics such as L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus produce hydrogen peroxide. It kills pathogenic or disease-causing organisms and ultimately restores your urogenital health. Probiotics with cranberry extracts are considered to be the best solution for UTIs associated with BV or yeast infections. You can also pair The Probiotic with our cranberry-packed, certified organic UTI Supplement.

 

 

Where Can We Get Probiotics?

You don’t have to look too far! They are available in the form of supplements, powders, dairy products and in many natural food items and can be found at your local health food store.

Below you’ll find some of the natural sources of probiotics

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut 

If you don’t like the taste or smell of any of these then you can also get your fair share of probiotics as supplements or pills. That's why we created our vaginal health supporting and cruelty-free probiotic. Our vaginal probiotic delivers 25 billion active cultures and 10 strains of beneficial bacteria that helps to restore balance to the vagina's delicate microbiome (and bonus points for regulating digestion and supporting immune health).  

 

Probiotic Side Effects

Probiotics have a wide range of well-documented and well-researched health benefits. Herbalists and even conventional medicine practitioners consider them to be side-effect free. How can they be harmful? After all, they already exist in our bodies naturally! So, generally it is true to be side-effect free, but every human being is designed differently. With that being said, they might have some side effects. Very rare and very minor ones such as nausea, bloating, gas and headaches.

It is advisable to start with low doses in the beginning and increase your dosage after a few weeks. This way you’ll enjoy all their health benefits without having to deal with the very minor side-effects.

 

 

Further Reading

Probiotic Benefits On the Vaginal Microbiome

A Gut Feeling: How Stress Affects Your (Vaginal) Microbiome

How do you heal your VAGINAL microbiome?

The Bitter Combo of Sugar & Stress by Maria-Antionette Issa (she/her)

Eating DIsorders, Anxiety & Depression by Ro (she/her)