Does This Mean That Probiotics Marketed For Your Genitalia Actually Work
If youve ever been probiotic shopping, youve likely stumbled across probiotics marketed for vaginas theyre all the rage, after all.
According to Langdon, these probiotics typically contain higher levels of Lactobacillus. Some research suggests that Lactobacillus helps support a healthy vaginal pH, as well as keep other pathogens at bay.
Now, if you scroll back up to the previous section, youll notice that Lactobacillus is the strain of bacteria thats best for both improving overall gut health and supporting vaginal health.
Thats why Li says, its just a marketing ploy. These probiotics are no different than any other probiotics on the market.
So do probiotics marketed for your genitals actually work? If you have a condition that can be remedied by consuming more Lactobacillus, they may.
But dont be tricked into thinking these probiotics are a one-stop solution for sexual dysfunction or the only option available.
Allergic Reactions To Probiotics
Experts estimate that only one in a million dogs and people could have an allergic reaction to probiotics for reasons that have yet to be identified. Signs that a dog may be suffering an allergic reaction to one or more of the live bacteria composing probiotic supplements are intense all over itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and lips and unsteady gait. Dogs exhibiting these symptoms after being given probiotics should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible for supportive care.
Healthful Bacteria And Probiotics
The balance of bacteria in the digestive system is one factor that affects the immune system. The reason many people use probiotics is that they believe they increase healthful gut bacteria.
People who use probiotics for eczema believe they make the immune system stronger. They reason that by strengthening the immune system, people can combat the faulty immune response that causes eczema.
There are other treatments available for eczema. These include:
- emollients that can be used daily to prevent dryness
- topical corticosteroid creams that reduce swelling and redness
- antihistamines to reduce itching
- bandages to allow affected areas to heal
There are also lifestyle changes that people can make to avoid aggravating their condition. These include:
- wearing natural fabrics to reduce skin irritation
- keeping the environment cool if heat is an irritant
- avoiding soaps, detergents, lotions, and perfumes that are heavily scented
- avoiding any foods that have triggered flare-ups previously
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that add to the good bacteria in our gut, supporting a healthy digestive system. Some foods are naturally rich in probiotics. These include:
- yoghurt
Don’t Miss: Women’s Probiotics At Walmart
How Do Probiotics Work In The Vagina
Probiotics in the vagina, primarily Lactobacillus strains, act as a defensive force by colonizing the vaginal tract, stopping pathogenic microorganisms from setting up base.
It also:
- Promotes an acidic vaginal environment to discourage the growth of bad bacteria by producing lactic acid.
- Produces hydrogen peroxide to help create an inhospitable environment for the unwanted guests.
- Stops microbes from adhering to the vaginal wall, and may also be able to displace those that have taken hold.
- Plays a key role in stimulating the bodys immune responses, which strengthens its ability to fight off infection.
- Actively fights bad microbes, and is often successful at disabling infection-causing bacteria, yeasts and viruses.
Dog Probiotic Side Effects
For the most part, probiotics are totally safe for dogs but, rarely, some pups have gotten mild stomach issues after taking probiotic supplements.
It is not common for side effects to occur in dogs taking probiotics, but it can happen, Dr. Burch said. Some dogs may experience mild stomach upset, diarrhea, flatulence or bloating for the first few days of administration.
Luckily, these mild side effects usually dont last long.
Those usually resolve in a couple of days to a week, Dr. Haworth said. If it goes on longer, owners should check with their veterinarian because something more serious may be happening.
Read Also: How Many Probiotics Can You Take A Day
Take Probiotics For A Healthy Vagina: How Good Bacteria Fights Against Yeast Infections Diseases
Ladies, does the thought of countless bacteria living in your vagina make you shudder? Well, it shouldnt. The vagina is home to over 50 unique species of bacteria, just like the digestive tract, which has over 400 different types. Far from causing damage, though, many of these bacterial strains are probiotics the good bacteria.
As with the gut, vaginal microflora needs to be balanced for good health. If there are no friendly bacteria to keep pathogens in check, the pathogens can cause a wide range of diseases and infections.
Should You Take Probiotics
But should everyone and their mother be popping a probiotic for vaginal health purposes? Not necessarily. Dr. Dweck says they’re likely to be most beneficial for women who are dealing with persistent, recurrent yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. Women who are also experiencing things known to disrupt vaginal bacterial levelsâthink: taking an antibiotic, going through peri-menopause, or having sex with multiple partnersâmay also see a benefit from taking probiotics proactively, she adds.
However, the one common issue they won’t really help with is urinary tract infections : “There’s no established, definitive evidence pointing toward the benefit of probiotics in preventing a UTI,” notes Dr. Dweck. For this type of infection, she says cranberry extract or supplements are a better way to go cranberries contain antioxidant molecules known as PACs , which studies have shown can help prevent UTIs.
The good news? Probiotics aren’t risky, so you can feel free to give them a try. There’s no evidence probiotics can cause a lot of harm to your body, says Dr. Greves. The only catch you shouldn’t take antibiotics and probiotics at the exact same time. Since antibiotics affect gut bacteria, they can essentially make the probiotics lose their effect and not work properly for best results, take them at least four hours apart, she says.
Also Check: Does Bone Broth Have Probiotics
You Have To Keep This In Mind
Its simply thiseveryone reacts differently to probiotics.
I know, big shocker.
But youd be surprised how many people try out one supplement, dont get the results they want, get angry and give up!
The fact of the matter is, every person on Earth has a unique digestive tract composition.
Even the organisms within each persons body can be vastly different.
All that means is a particular probiotic may work great for me, but not do anything for you.
And what works well for you, might give me uncomfortable side effects.
Its just the way things work.
So if you try a particular brand we recommend, and it doesnt work for you, dont freak out! It could be a crappy product, or it may just not work for your unique situation and body.
Either way, just pick out another one from our list until you find one that works.
Keep in mind youll also want to confer with your doctor or medical provider about all this as well.
Ok so now that we got that out of the way, lets move on to what exactly makes a good probiotic supplement.
Problems With Vaginal Dryness
As you approach menopause, the withdrawal of estrogen causes changes to the vaginal wall. The result can be vaginal dryness, making intimacy quite uncomfortable. There are many over-the-counter lubricants available which can ease your discomfort. You may also want to consider an intravaginal low-dose estrogen and testosterone cream. Available by prescription, these products are routinely used to keep the vagina healthy.
Don’t Miss: Equate Digestive Health Probiotic Capsules 50 Count
Some Tips For Improving Your Sex Drive
Often, you may have a lower sex drive because of other reasons like smoking, not being physically active, or having a chronic disease. Also, the body changes in menopause can make you uncomfortable in your own skin. Changes like weight gain or skin problems can make you feel discomfort and be insecure in front of your partner.
If you have symptoms of menopause that make you feel insecure, speak to your doctor about the options you have for increasing your sex drive. In other cases, you can make a few changes in your diet and style of life that would help your libido. Often, treating one symptom of menopause helps with the other symptoms as well.
The Importance Of The Vaginal Microbiome
So how do friendly bacteria protect against vaginal infection? Lets take a look.
- Production of lactic acid. This function is what keeps the vagina’s pH balance at a slightly acidic level and prevents the growth of yeast, bad bacteria and other pathogenic organisms which prefer a more alkaline environment. It is this function is why Lactobacilli have their name. Fun fact: the pH balance of a healthy vagina is around 4.5, which is the same as wine, tomatoes, and beer!
- Production of hydrogen peroxide and other substances which inhibit the growth of unfavourable or pathogenic strains of bacteria and yeast. Anything that upsets the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome gives pathogens a chance to overgrow and cause intimate health infections.
Bad bacteria can grow in the vaginal flora for many reasons. Sexual intercourse, high-sugar diets, the use of perfumed body wash products, antibiotics and even stress are known as potential triggers – read on to find out more about these triggers below. If the vaginal microbiome is disrupted and vaginal pH levels exceed 4.5, it becomes the ideal breeding ground for infections such as:
Read Also: Garden Of Life Prebiotics And Probiotics
Probiotic Choices For Yeast
Find out what causes vaginal yeast infection and discover what other lifestyle factors increase your risk of getting yeast vaginitis.
Remove the food source. Keep your sugar intake right down. Try some of the âcandida dietsâ that abound on the net.
Unfortunately, many women self-diagnose and get it wrong. This isnât really surprising when you realize how often even doctors get it wrong too. If you use/take an anti-fungal and your vaginal infection is not caused by yeast, then anti-fungal treatments wonât work.
Worse, youâre possibly breeding those Candida fungi that were living quite peacefully into a resistant strain. Then treatment wonât work if later you do get a vaginal yeast infection. So far, the Candida strains found in the vagina have shown very little sign of becoming resistant,3 but many of the strains found in oral yeast infections have3 so it is probably only a matter of time.
Vaginal infections cover several different infections, all of them annoying, irritating and sometimes difficult to treat. It is estimated that over one billion women around the world suffer from non-sexually transmitted urogenital infections such as vaginal yeast infection.4
Find out which active ingredient is preferred by medical authorities like the World Health Organization and The Centers for Disease Control for vaginal thrush
Azo Complete Feminine Balance Daily Probiotics
AZO Complete Feminine Balance is said to be formulated specifically for vaginal health. AZO is a known trademark for a variety of feminine health and hygiene products, this supplement restores the natural balance of good bacteria and provides a unique solution to certain feminine health issues. It works differently from other probiotics as it contains Intelliflora, a trademarked blend of 4 probiotics species commonly found in healthy women. This unique blend is designed to generate results in as little as 7 days, it concentrates solely on vaginal health and has nothing to do with the gut or bladder. Gluten-free and safe to take during pregnancy, AZO Complete Feminine Balance is the fastest way to restore natural balance and good bacteria to your yoni.
Recommended Reading: Probiotic Pearls Women’s Cvs
Reminder: What Are Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that are naturally found in your body and are imperative for keeping your GI system in check they also play a role in everything from immunity to muscle strength to your mood. While you’re born with a whole bunch of them, factors such as a poor diet, antibiotics, and more can reduce probiotic levels. Hence why many people these days opt for getting an extra dose, be it from a diet rich in fermented foods and/or taking a probiotic supplement.
Our Ranking And Reviews Of The 10 Best Probiotics Supplements For 2021
Everyone knows the health benefits of probiotics these days.
The hard part is figuring out exactly which probiotic supplement will work best for you
With hundreds of different brands out there in dozens of different forms such as capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, gums, shells, beads, and lozenges, how can you possibly know which one is right for you?
If thats the issue youre facing, youre going to be glad you found this site! Our probiotics experts continually rank, review and test just about every popular probiotic supplement on the market today.
Well tell you which ones we like and which ones wed avoid. Well tell you whats in them, how they work, how much they cost and what theyre best used for. In a nutshell, well tell you everything you need to know to find the best probiotic supplements for your particular situation.
So if youre looking to get all the health benefits that these provide, the following list of the best probiotics should point you in the right direction!
Read Also: Do Probiotics Make You Poop
So Do Probiotics Make You Poop More
Till now, you must have followed all the pieces of evidence we noted. You can see probiotics make you poop often and more in all the shreds of evidence we presented. Now, lets take up a review study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
According to the researchers, probiotics increased weekly bowel movements by 1.3-times. Along with that, participants felt it easier to poop as stool became softer.
The review of 14 studies also noted another thing. Probiotics reduced the gut transit time by 12.4 hours.
Gut transit time is the time food takes to come out as stool after you swallow it. That means probiotics may quicken your bowel movement and go to the bathroom earlier.
However, if you are suffering from diarrhea, the outcome may be different. In such cases, you may poop less as probiotics help you regain your digestive health.
Summary: Probiotics can cause a change in your gut bacteria and your pooping habits. Naturally, these also include how many times you poop. So, probiotics can indeed make you poop more.
Supplements Vs Probiotic Foods: Whats Better
Probiotics are added to some foods like yogurt and cultured cottage cheese. They are naturally occurring in fermented foods like buttermilk, kefir, and sauerkraut. Raw cheese made from unpasteurized milk is another source.
Some experts support the health benefits of raw milk and products made from raw milk, but it shouldnt be given to children. Raw milk may contain dangerous bacteria. It can cause life-threatening illness.
If youre wondering if probiotic supplements or foods are better, the answer isnt clear-cut. Getting nutrients from whole foods is usually best. But in the case of probiotics, your child may not be able to get enough from food alone. Probiotics in foods may not survive the manufacturing and storage processes. Unless you have a lab in your kitchen, theres no way of knowing exactly how much made it out alive.
The same could be said for probiotic supplements. In the supplement world, products are not created equal. Supplements are not well-regulated. When you buy probiotic supplements, you assume the product contains what it advertises. In reality, you may not always get what you think youre buying.
Only buy supplements from reputable brands. Check the expiration date before using. Review storage requirements so you know if the product needs refrigeration.
If your doctor recommends giving your child probiotics, consider these options:
Don’t Miss: How Long Until Probiotics Start Working
Side Effects Of Probiotics
Probiotics may trigger some allergic reactions, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and could cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, flatulence or bloating in the first few days after taking them. The clinic cautions that it may take a little trial and error to find the best probiotic for you. If you don’t notice any benefits from a product after a few weeks, try another product with a different bacteria strain.
Also, Harvard Health Publishing recommends taking probiotics at the end of a meal to ease issues like loose stool.
Given that probiotics are already in the body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered to be safe, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But people with weakened immune systems or those who’ve had a surgery need to approach probiotics with caution and consult their physicians.
Why Do People Use Vaginal Probiotics
People may turn to vaginal probiotics because of two common problems:
- Bacterial yeast infection. A fungus called candida normally lives in balance with other microorganisms in your vagina. But in a yeast infection, the candida grows so much that it overcomes healthy bacteria. You might notice itchiness and discharge that looks like cottage cheese.
- Bacterial vaginosis . Here, certain harmful bacteria grow enough to outnumber healthy bacteria like lactobacillus. You might notice a fishy smell, especially after your period or after sex, along with a gray-greenish discharge. Scientists donât know why BV happens. Itâs the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.
Others might use probiotics to maintain vaginal health, even when they have no obvious problems. But some doctors warn there could be dangers in introducing new bacteria and other microorganisms into your body.
You May Like: Phillips Colon Health Probiotic Side Effects
So What Exactly Makes A Good Probiotic Supplement
Over the last few years, me and my team have personally tested out over 200 probiotic brands. And by tested, I mean we actually bought and took the probiotics! Most review sites out there dont ever actually buy and take what theyre reviewing.
Anyway, after trying that many brands, I think we have a pretty good sense of what makes a good product, and what doesnt.
You see, most of the really good probiotic supplements out there tend to have some things in common. Of course they have their differences too, but we started to see some commonality in the good products the more and more brands we tested.
Ill go into more detail in a minute about what you should look for, but before I do, theres one thing I want you to keep in mind.
Its something that a lot of consumers make a mistake about and end up very frustrated