Probiotics are found in our everyday food such as yogurt, pickles, cheese, and my personal favorite, Kombucha! Probiotics provide us with tiny microorganisms that aid our gut health, give us good bacteria, and promote an overall healthy digestive system. Probiotics go beyond just gut health; it also has shown to be beneficial for vaginal and urinary health! Roughly 100 trillion microbes inhabit the human body, a significant portion of which take residence in our gut. Moreover, the vagina houses over 50 distinct microbial species. With that being said, it doesn’t take much to throw off the vaginal pH from stress, unprotected sex, menstruation, and excessive antibiotics. This can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from odor, unusual discharge, excessive burning, and vaginal pain. In addition to the signs of an unbalanced pH, such as odor, unusual discharge, excessive burning, and vaginal pain, there are numerous remedies available to restore vaginal health. One of the most effective remedies, in my experience, has been the use of probiotics. Probiotics are not only beneficial for vaginal health but also promote overall gut health and wellbeing. Over the past 6 months, I have diligently experimented with four different women’s probiotics across various price ranges to determine which one truly made a noticeable difference for me.
My selection criteria encompassed several factors, including price, quantity, specific strains targeted for vaginal health, and the relief of any symptoms I was currently experiencing. Each probiotic supplement offered a unique blend of probiotic strains, with some emphasizing Lactobacillus species known for their beneficial effects on vaginal microbiota. Additionally, I paid close attention to the quantity of probiotic capsules per package, ensuring a sufficient supply for consistent use over time.
Furthermore, I closely monitored the alleviation of symptoms such as odor, discharge abnormalities, and discomfort. By systematically evaluating the impact of each probiotic on my vaginal health, I gained valuable insights into which formulations were most effective for my individual needs. Through this comprehensive trial and assessment process, I was able to identify the probiotic supplement that provided the optimal balance of benefits for both my vaginal and overall well-being.
These are the strains I am specifically looking for in my probiotics:
1. Lactobacillus acidophilus: This is one of the most well-known probiotic strains and is commonly found in vaginal probiotic supplements. L. acidophilus helps maintain a healthy acidic environment in the vagina, which can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast.
2. Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Another important strain, L. rhamnosus, has been shown to help prevent and treat vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. It may also help reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
3. Lactobacillus reuteri: This strain is known for its antimicrobial properties, which can help inhibit the growth of pathogens in the vagina. L. reuteri has been studied for its potential in preventing bacterial vaginosis and UTIs.
4. Lactobacillus crispatus: Considered one of the dominant Lactobacillus species in a healthy vaginal microbiota, L. crispatus produces lactic acid, helping to maintain vaginal acidity and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
5. Lactobacillus gasseri: This strain has been researched for its potential to restore and maintain vaginal health by promoting a balanced microbiota and reducing the risk of infections.
Lemme Purr
Celebrity Kourtney Kardashian released a supplement brand “Lemme,” which recently put out a vaginal health gummy called “Lemme Purr.” “Lemme Purr” is a tasty pineapple-flavored gummy that contains Vitamin C, SZN 1969 (Bacillus coagulans), and pineapple extract. SZN 1969 is a clinically tested strain that has improved vaginal odor and freshness. The gummy itself tastes delicious and comes in adorable packaging retailing at $30 for 60 a gummy supply. There was lots of hype surrounding the brand, hence why I tried it, but I noted a remarkable difference in my overall vaginal health and tested my pH which showed completely normal! I found that I had no vaginal odor, but I would not use this as a stand-alone product instead. I would combine this with another probiotic for the best results. I found that when I took the “Lemme Purr” gummies with my “Good Girl” probiotics that all of my prior symptoms of unbalanced pH and vaginal odor were completely gone. Overall I loved this supplement, but 30 dollars for a one-month supply may be hard for a broke college student to justify. However, I think it is worth it if you have the financial means.
Doctor’s Recipe Women’s Probiotic
The “Doctor’s Recipe Women’s Probiotic” is your standard women’s probiotic with 60 capsules, retailing at $17.49. This probiotic comes up on any search engine when you put in ‘women’s probiotics,’ so I thought I would give it a shot, seeing how many times it was marketed towards me. The brand itself is considered a generic supplement brand, meaning it’s readily available in grocery stores as well as online. It contained all of the key strains I was looking for, as well as cranberry extract, which is also clinically proven to help with urinary tract infections and vaginal health for certain groups of people. Another interesting component of this probiotic was the prebiotics included. So what is the difference? Well, probiotics and prebiotics are essential for gut health. Probiotics are live microorganisms that balance the gut microbiota, while prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that nourish beneficial bacteria. Together, they support digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall well-being. For the price and ingredient list, I was very content with what I was given, but I found that it did not necessarily improve my vaginal health or alleviate any symptoms. It just maintained it, so it did not worsen, but it also was not getting significantly better to a point where there was no noticeable difference.
Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics
“Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics” is a popular probiotic supplement designed specifically for women’s health. It contains a blend of probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, known for their ability to support vaginal and digestive health. These probiotics help restore and maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut and vaginal microbiota, which can be disrupted by factors like stress, diet, and antibiotics. “Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics” may help alleviate symptoms of digestive issues like bloating, gas, and irregularity, as well as promote vaginal health by preventing yeast infections and urinary tract infections. It’s formulated to be gentle yet effective, making it suitable for daily use to support overall well-being in women. This probiotic contained two of the key strains I searched for and was considered more of a natural and organic supplement formulated with no artificial sweeteners and zero sugar added. Something I enjoyed about the Good Girl probiotic is that I only had to take one capsule a day with a 2-month supply for $26. Usually, most brands recommend two a day, but Good Girl Probiotics was able to put everything into one capsule making it easier to take daily, especially if you have difficulty swallowing medication. Not to mention the fact that it was cheaper than the generic brand! I found that I had decreased discharge and zero foul odor. I also really enjoyed taking more of a holistic probiotic with ingredients I trusted as well.
AZO Daily Probiotic
AZO is a brand that has been around for a long time and can be found in your local Walmart or Target. The majority of their products are targeted towards urinary and bladder health, with many containing cranberry, known for alleviating UTIs and bladder infections. I decided to try their women’s daily probiotic targeted towards vaginal health, which retails for $20.43 with 30 capsules. It contained only one of my key strains, Lactobacillus gasseri, though it did have other common strains found in probiotics. However, it did not have enough of the strains targeted and clinically studied for vaginal health that I tend to look for. I noticed a distinct difference in my discharge output, vaginal odor, and the absence of any burning sensation within the first week of using this product. However, after that initial improvement, everything went back to its original state, so I felt like I was stuck on a plateau, so to speak. I think this is an alright option if you do not have a great selection, but I found that the results were temporary and very short-term.
Overall, I think the effectiveness of probiotic supplements depends on your individual lifestyle choices. For example, While I was taking all of these, I drank tons of water, stuck to a generally healthy diet, exercised frequently, and avoided using soaps that would throw off my vaginal pH so I could increase my chances of having optimal results. My favorite supplement was the “Good Girl” probiotics, but I found optimal results when I combined it with the “Lemme Purr” gummies! I found that the combination of the two alleviated all symptoms and left me with absolutely zero vaginal odor or unusual discharge. I consulted with my gynecologist before all of this because I had been struggling with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) for a while, and she recommended I take a probiotic. However, it can be difficult to know which one to take or if simply eating yogurt is good enough. Vaginas are living organs that require tender loving care, so it is important to ask your doctor what you could be doing to improve your vaginal health or even do research of your own to ensure you have a happy and healthy vagina.