Probiotic Strains for Women’s Health
Published June 21, 2021
Even though all of us can benefit from a dose of good bacteria, there are certain probiotics that are especially beneficial for women.
Probiotics, as we know, are a type of beneficial bacteria. We usually get it from the foods we eat but there are some that naturally live within us. They’re called “good bacteria” because they help keep the balance in our gut microbiome and keep the bad bacteria in check. This, in turn, helps us avoid certain diseases.
If you’re looking to start a daily probiotic regimen, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll walk you through the benefits of probiotics for women as well as how to pick the best probiotics for you.
Are Probiotics Good For Women’s Health?
Yes, probiotics are good for women’s health – or anyone’s health for that matter.
The health benefits of probiotics are wide and varied, especially for women. From skin health to vaginal health, there are women’s probiotics for a wide variety of health concerns.
Yet, what most people don’t know is that there are hundreds of probiotic strains out there. Each of them has a specific function. Some strains are best for cosmetic purposes while others are of great use for food manufacturers.
So if you’re looking for a probiotic supplement, make sure to get the one with the strains suited to your needs. You cannot expect to get rid of your acne if your probiotic supplement is specially made for gut health.
The Best Probiotics For Women
With hundreds (or thousands) of probiotic brands in the market, it can be hard to pick a good one. Especially since they are all claiming to be the best.
So instead of emphasizing on brands, we decided to focus on the strains. We’ve scoured studies and scientific evidence to determine which strains you should look for.
According to studies, these are the best probiotic strains for women’s health:
1. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
This particular strain has been widely studied and is particularly associated with digestive health. It’s well-suited to survive in the acidic environment of your gut and adheres to your intestinal walls.
This helps them reduce gut permeability thus preventing inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).
Several studies have also found this strain to have promising effects on mental health. Evidence demonstrates that it helps reduce anxiety and depression. A randomized 2001 study also orally administered L. rhamnosus to forty-two women for 28 days. Results confirm its potential efficacy in restoring and maintaining a normal vaginal flora.
Top-Rated Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Probiotics:
- Swanson Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Veg Capsules (5 billion cfu)
- Renew Life Adult Probiotics (30 Billion cfu)
2. Lactobacillus Fermentum
As its name suggested, this probiotic strain causes fermentation and is widely used in food manufacturing. It’s also abundant in cheese products. Like L. rhamnosus, this strain is also effective in maintaining a normal vaginal flora.
Several studies have also found it to have anti-aging properties and slows down oxidation. It releases your body’s glutathione which facilitates the recovery of inflamed tissues. Oxidation is a normal bodily process but may cause premature aging and may even lead to cancer. L. fermentum helps you avoid that and maintain a youthful look.
Top-Rated L. Fermentum Probiotics:
- Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Women’s Probiotics (50 billion cfu)
3. Lactobacillus Reuteri
If you’re suffering from frequent bouts of inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), this probiotic strain is for you. Most strains help prevent the occurrence of IBS to a certain degree but L. reuteri tops them all. It balances your gut’s tryptophan levels thus preventing most damages caused by IBS.
Recent studies also found that L. reuteri is one of the most ideal probiotics for vaginal health. It can withstand a wide range of vaginal PH environments allowing it to effectively colonize the bad bacteria. This helps prevent urogenital diseases and bacterial vaginosis in women. A randomized study in 2008 also showed that it can restore normal vaginal flora in postmenopausal women. This makes it a great supplement if you want a more PH-balanced vagina.
Top-Rated L. Reuteri Probiotics:
- Bio Schwartz Extra Strength Probiotics (60 Billion cfu)
- NewRhythm Probiotics (50 Billion cfu)
4. Lactobacillus Acidophilus
For women, weight struggle is a common dilemma. If you’re looking for natural ways to combat obesity, this probiotic strain should be on your list.
It’s mainly found in your intestines and produces lactase which converts sugar into lactic acid. It helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This helps in easier and better weight management.
A good amount of evidence also suggests that it can help treat and prevent vaginal infections. The lactic acid it produces prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in your vagina. Several studies found that taking it as a supplement is more effective than sourcing it out from your foods.
Top-Rated L. Acidophilus Probiotics:
- Probiotic Pearls Acidophilus Daily Probiotic Supplement (1 Billion cfu)
- Bioschwartz Advanced Strength Probiotics (40 Billion cfu)
5. Lactobacillus Plantarum
This is one of the most common probiotic strains for women’s health. It’s abundant in most fermented foods as well as in human saliva. Mainly used for improving gut health, recent studies also found that it helps with weight loss too. It’s also great for regulating immune responses making it great for those struggling with acne.
In a 2017 study, researchers found that freeze-dried L. Plantarum enhances the absorption of iron in young women.
New evidence also suggests that it helps women with recurring vulvovaginal candidiasis. It attaches to the vaginal epithelial cells thus reducing the adhesion of Candida albicans. This process also improves the lactobacilli population in the vaginal area. A more balanced vaginal microbiota also leads to an improved vaginal pH value.
Top-Rated L. Plantarum Probiotics:
- Physician’s Choice Probiotics for Women (60 Billion cfu)
6. Lactobacillus Brevis
Commonly found in milk products, this probiotic strain is mainly used for making wine and beer. However, research shows that it’s got promising benefits for women’s health too.
A randomized controlled trial in Iran subjected 81 women to L. Brevis treatment for 118 days. These women were suffering from recurring genital herpes infection. No clinically important events were recorded at the end of the trial. But researchers concluded that the strain can play a significant role in suppressing it.
Top-Rated L. Brevis Probiotics:
- Vitamin Bounty Pro 50 Probiotic (50 Billion cfu)
7. Lactobacillus Salivarius
A recent study conducted in Spain speculated on the efficacy of L. Salivarius in treating GBS infection in pregnant women. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterial infection in the vaginal and rectal areas of pregnant women. It can be passed on to the baby during delivery. Infants with GBS may suffer from unstable heart and blood pressure, sepsis, pneumonia, and kidney problems.
The experiment lasted 38 weeks and concluded promising results. 72% of the volunteers were tested negative for GBS after the trial. This leads the researchers to believe that the L. Salivarius strain might hold the key for eradicating GBS in pregnant women.
Top-rated L. Salivarius Probiotics:
- Naturelo Probiotics (50 Billion cfu)
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a firm believer in the health benefits of probiotics and she wants to share that with the world. She also loves to write about healthy foods and other healthy living tips.
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