How Many Probiotics Do I Need
It is advised to take probiotics that contain at least 1 billion colony forming units . These assist in establishing and further growing the amount of healthy bacterias in your body. Any decent probiotic will have between 1-10 billion CFUs, but the particular dose will depend on the unique probiotic and how it was manufactured.
Natural probiotics are also an excellent source if you would prefer to forego supplements. However, this option will make it significantly more difficult to get enough CFUs, as supplements are specially designed to administer a large, concentrated dose of the best probiotics for your body.
When In Doubt Ask Your Doctor
Although vaginal probiotics have been researched and found safe and effective, its never a bad idea to check with your doctor before adding a new supplement or medication. Your primary care doctor or OBGYN will be able to make a recommendation factoring in any medications you already take, health conditions, and your symptoms.
But if you’re prone to uncomfortable symptoms and your doctor thinks you can give a probiotic geared toward vaginal health a try, it may just be the key that unlocks long-term relief.
Resources:
What Are The Best Probiotics For Women
Probiotics can be found in certain foods such as yoghurt and kefir, and in supplements which provide easy, on-the-go consumption. Before taking probiotics, seek advice from a pharmacist or GP where appropriate.
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MORE: Cheryl swears by these supplements for ultra-glowing skin
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Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
Although your vaginal pH level will not directly conclude if you have a yeast infection, other symptoms can. These symptoms include:
- Itching, burning or swelling near the affected area
- Thick vaginal discharge that is grey, green, yellow, or white in color
- A burning sensation during urination
- Pain during intercourse
- Appearance of a vulvar rash
- Fissures in the wall of the vagina
Which Probiotics Are Best
Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains have different effects and offer up various benefits depending on the condition. Some will fight infection in the gut, others will fight it in the vagina. Some need to be hardy enough to survive the acid in our guts so they can get to the stomach intact. Whereas those needed to fight tooth decay only need to travel as far as the mouth.11
It goes without saying that its important to select the right strain for your own individual health needs. Knowing which specific probiotic strain to choose will help your body target the goodness where its needed most.
Taking a prebiotic in conjunction with probiotics is also recommended. Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates. You can find them in foods including wholegrain oatmeal, bananas and even onions.12
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The Cycle Of Vaginal Infection And Ph Imbalance
Bacterial vaginosis, UTIs, and yeast infections are all treated with either anti-fungal or antibiotic courses. Vaginal infections account for millions of doctors visits a year for many women.For women who are prone to these types of infections, it can turn into a vicious cycle, wherein a woman gets diagnosed with one of these infections and receives medication which kills off all bacteria in the vagina , which then leaves her vaginal ecosystem out of balance ripe for another infection. This cycle can leave many women feeling defunct and like they have to figure out how to fix the problem themselves, often making things worse. While some nutritionists may recommend diets lower in sugar to inhibit the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria, the science is showing that it may be a good idea to look for supplements for vaginal health with a healthy probiotic strain as a way to support the growth of good bacteria and the maintenance of an acidic vaginal environment.
When Should You Take A Probiotic For Your Vagina
Probiotics designed for vaginal health can help those suffering from recurring thrush or bacterial vaginosis.
However there are a number of other occasions when taking a probiotic could be beneficial as well:
- After Unprotected Sex. Unprotected sex can lead to STIs and pregnancy. However, it can also disrupt the balance of your vaginal microbiome. Semen is alkaline in pH. When it enters the vagina, it can throw off the vaginas acidity, which may lead to a build up of bad bacteria.
- After Excessive Cleaning. Many women are still under the false impression that the vagina needs to be cleaned with a special wash. However, this can also wash away your healthy bacteria and disrupt the vaginas delicate pH balance.
- After Antibiotics. If youve been on a course of antibiotics for a vaginal infection, the make-up of your microbiome may have shifted. A probiotic can help to rebalance the vaginal bacteria.
- After Using Tampons. Dr Baxter explains that Tampons can provide a breeding ground for bad bacteria. So, after your period, a probiotic may help to reintroduce Lactobacilli into your system.
When the vaginas microbiome in disrupted there tends to be a change in its pH.
At a healthy pH level harmful pathogens like E. coli, Staph, and Candida, will find it harder to grow.
The ideal levels for the vaginal microbiome are at a pH of 3.8-4.5 which is quite acidic.
There are even longer term benefits of having very high levels of these good bacteria in your system.
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Are Probiotics Good For Vaginal Health
Although this is a new field and research is ongoing, there are strong signs that taking the right probiotic can help with vaginal health.
This is because it helps to maintain a good balance of bacteria within the vagina.
It could even help it fight off some of the more common infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.
There Are Many Kinds Of Probiotics
The word probiotic means pro-life and describes a large group of different microorganisms. It has been estimated that more than a thousand of different species or types of bacteria make their homes in and on humans.
Just our gut contains 30 to 40 different kinds of strains. Each type plays its own role and they all interact dynamically with each other and with our human cells. A yogurt or any other fermented product will only have 3 to 5 different strains.
Moreover, a particular strain was chosen to turn milk into yogurt due to the resulting flavor profile. No amount of yogurt or pickles would be able to substitute a probiotic product that has bacterial strains selected to target your vaginal flora, for example.
Of course, fermented foods are extremely beneficial, but dont necessarily deliver target help where you need it most. Therefore you will definitely need a supplement.
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Why Should You Care About Vaginal Probiotics
In the same way that its important to support your digestion and overall health by looking after your gut bacteria, womens pills for pH balance can balance your overall vaginal pH, but also promote the growth and maintenance of beneficial lactobacilli in your vaginal microbiome. A quality daily probiotic for vaginal health can help, along with maintaining healthy habits, like eating a healthy diet, peeing after sex, drinking water, and avoiding practices like douching, which can disrupt the delicate balance of vaginal flora.
The Benefits Of Probiotics For Women
If you are not familiar with probiotics, then you might want to keep readingprobiotics offer plenty of health benefits.
Upon discovering that they are bacteria, you might think that probiotics sound bad instead of good, but do not fret.
Probiotics are not harmful to the body as you might believe. They are actually quite beneficial for women and our health.
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Criteria For Considering Studies For This Review
Types of studies
The inclusion criteria will be as follows: the article is reported in English if the data subsets are published in more than one article, only the latest subset is included and parallel RCTs.
The following studies will be excluded: case reports publications that are not in English and insufficient data to be extracted or calculated from the original article.
Types of participants
Participants of all ages diagnosed with BV based on Amsels criteria or the Nugent score, regardless of whether she is symptomatic or asymptomatic, will be included. Analyses of the trials based on Amsels criteria will be performed separately from those based on the Nugent score. Patients coinfected with other STIs will be excluded.
Types of interventions
Parallel RCTs that compare probiotics administered intravaginally in conjunction with antibiotics therapy with a concurrent control group receiving no treatment, a placebo or a different probiotic/antibiotic or probiotic/antibiotic dose will be eligible.
Types of outcome measures
Lactobacillus Brevis Cd2 Lactobacillus Salivarius Fv2 And Lactobacillus Plantarum Fv9
In a rather small but well-designed double-blind, randomised, controlled trial2 34 women with BV received either a vaginal probiotic tablet or a placebo for 7 days. The probiotic contained at least 10 billion viable Lactobacilli in particular L. brevis CD2®, L. salivarius FV2®, and L. plantarum FV9®. The 2-week symptom relief rates were 61% in the active treatment group. When compared to 19% in the placebo group – these are astounding results!
Key takeaway
- Symptoms of BV have been demonstrated to be relieved by the probiotic strains Lactobacillus brevis CD2®, Lactobacillus salivarius FV2®, and Lactobacillus plantarum FV9®
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Benefits Of Vaginal Probiotics During Menopause
A lot of factors can disturb the vaginal microbiome, including sex, smoking, hormonal birth control, diet, and stress. Most women will get a yeast infection at some point in their lives,5 and about a third will experience bacterial vaginosis,6 both of which can create symptoms like itching, burning, odor, and discharge.
Youre even more susceptible to vaginal infection in perimenopause and beyond, thanks to diminishing estrogen production. Research shows that before entering menopause, estrogen promotes colonization of the essential lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina.7 The bacteria keeps the vaginas pH level low, preventing pathogens from causing infections. Decreased estrogen during menopause depletes lactobacillus bacteria and increases vaginal pHthe prime environment for harmful microorganisms that cause bacterial vaginosis and its symptoms.8
The good news is that youre not stuck with an imbalanced vaginal microbiome when you reach menopauseand increasing your estrogen levels isnt the only way to achieve balance. A vaginal probiotic with live, active lactobacillus strains helps balance and maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome, promoting the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms, lowering vaginal pH and preventing vaginal infections.9
A Solution Springs From Frustration
But sometimes women dont respond to the standard treatments and experience recurrent problems that leave them searching for solutions. Dr. Mitchell says that some women shes encountered are trying not only probiotic supplements, but also alternative treatments theyve found on the Internet. These include putting yogurt-soaked tampons, tea tree oil, and even garlic cloves into their vaginas in an effort to introduce beneficial bacteria. These solutions, she says, are not only ineffective but highly inadvisable.
Its true that a compound in garlic, allicin, has been shown to kill yeast in a laboratory. But you cannot put enough cloves of garlic in your vagina or take enough oral garlic capsules to achieve the same effect, says Dr. Mitchell. Tea tree oil also has no demonstrated benefit and can cause irritation. Yogurt-infused tampons dont work either. Many probiotic supplements and most yogurts do contain Lactobacillus bacteria, but its generally not the same type of Lactobacillus found in your vagina. L. crispatus and L. iners are the most common species found in the vagina. Most probiotics and yogurt contain other species, such as L. rhamnosus or L. acidophilus, which are more common in the gut.
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Other Steps To A Healthy Vagina
If you frequently develop bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections, its still important to visit a doctor for help with treatments even if you choose to take a probiotic.
In addition to taking some of the best probiotics for vaginal health, other ways you can support the health of your vagina include:
- Avoiding douching, which can remove healthy bacteria from the vagina that are needed to control growth of other microorganisms.
- Using natural, unscented soaps on your vagina as opposed to those that are fragranced and contain irritating chemicals.
- Wearing cotton underwear, rather than synthetic fabrics, which allow for more air flow.
- Using organic cotton tampons/pads that are unscented.
- Bathing daily and gently washing with warm water and mild soap.
- Avoiding having too much sexual partners/unprotected sex.
- Never inserting unprescribed treatments into your vagina, including garlic, yogurt, or oregano or tea tree oil.
- Eating a healthy diet that supports your immune system and gut, such as one that includes probiotic fermented foods, leafy greens, berries, herbs and other veggies, and thats low in sugar and processed foods
Best Probiotic For Yeast Infections That Can Cure Thrush
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Meg Phillips
When it comes to womens health, many of us dont really know what were supposed to be doingdown there.
There are certainly plenty of myths surrounding womens intimate health. These include a range of vaginal cleaning products
Probiotics for women are a relatively new concept though and one thats already controversial in medical circles.
Yet even with modern medicine, we still have 21 millionwomen suffering from bacterial vaginosis in the US alone, and another 138 million women suffering from recurrent thrush.
Its clear that we need to find a better, more natural solution for womens health.
Daye believe theyve found it with their newly launched ProViotic. Its a probiotic which is designed specifically to help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in these intimate areas. It claims to:
- help with bacterial vaginosis.
- help with thrush and yeast infections.
- prevent these infections from recurring after treatment.
Each tablet contains 5 billion live cells of lactobacillus plantarum GLP3.
Lactobacillus is the main bacteria needed to keep the vagina healthy. So these probiotics are designed with womens wellness in mind.
Here we take a closer look at their probiotics, what exactly they can do for us and how effective they are at curing thrush and BV.
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Things You Need To Know: Vaginal Probiotics For Uti Prevention
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Have you heard about using vaginal probiotics for UTI prevention? Lets explore why would you want to put probiotic products in your vagina and what to expect.
Do Probiotics Work To Clear Vaginal Odor
No one likes dealing with strong vaginal odor, but sometimes its just a fact of life. Eating certain foods, working out, sexual activity it can all contribute to a less-than-pleasant odor down there. The smell itself is the result of a buildup of bad bacteria in and around the vagina, much like bad breath is caused by bacteria accumulating on teeth and gums. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to fight against this unwanted bacterial growth and restore balance: washes, creams and over-the-counter supplements. Probiotics for bacterial vaginosis offer a quick, easy way to combat the issue from the inside out, and have been growing in popularity over the course of the past few years. Theyre generally inexpensive, easy to take and portable, but do they really work?
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A Thriving Vaginal Microbiome
During puberty and pregnancy, high estrogen levels help to preserve and stimulate the vaginal microbiome The epithelial cells within the vagina remain healthy and there is ample glycogen production to help maintain a thriving colony of Lactobacilli which prevents vaginal pH issues. The hormones are critical for maintaining a healthy environment that defends against viruses fungi, protozoa, harmful vaginal bacteria , vaginitis-associated bacteria, and other pathogens. However, aging, reduced hormone production, and other factors can cause a break in the vaginal microbial relationship which causes dysbiosis and can put you at risk.
Causes Of A Yeast Infection
Several things can cause yeast to multiply, creating an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome. Some of the most common causes are:
- Antibiotic medications: These antimicrobials are excellent at killing harmful bacteria that cause infections. Unfortunately, antibiotics also kill beneficial bacteria, which can throw off the balance of the microbiome. When this happens in the vagina , it can result in a yeast infection.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, menstruation, and the use of hormonal contraceptives or hormone or estrogen therapy cause hormone levels and the balance of yeast in the vagina to shift.
- Diabetes: Elevated levels of sugar in your urine and vagina can encourage the growth of yeast in this area.
- Weakened immune system: Living with a chronic disease or using medication that suppresses your immune system can cause vaginal yeast to grow.
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How Long Do Probiotics Take To Work For Bv
A review carried out at the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Marousi, Greece highlighted trials which suggested that probiotic pessaries when used for 6 to 12 days, or probiotic tablets when taken orally for 2 months, cured BV and/or reduced recurrences of the condition. The study also found that using probiotics over these time periods resulted in an increase in Lactobacillus significantly more frequently than when placebos or no treatment were given. However, the review went on to point out that other trials have produced less positive findings.
Given the uncertainty surrounding how effective probiotics may be in treating BV, its impossible to give a definitive answer in terms of how long they may take to help relieve the infection.
