Benefits of Probiotics for Women
Probiotics are known for their ability to improve gut health, but these beneficial microorganisms can support more than digestion. Scientists are uncovering the unique ways that probiotics can enhance women’s wellness through all life stages.
Women have distinctive health needs due to physiological and hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. Probiotics help balance the microbial environments in different parts of the body. A healthy microbiome in the gut, urinary tract and reproductive tract, for example, can reduce risk of infections, improve mood and enhance immune response.
Read on to explore the exciting potential of probiotics in supporting women’s health, with tips on choosing from different formulations and optimizing supplement usage.
Why Women Benefit From Probiotics
There are trillions of microbes in the human body, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. They’re found in specific parts of the body, such as the gut, oral cavity, reproductive tract and urinary tract. Each microbiome contains a unique set of microorganisms, carefully balanced to maintain human health. These microbial communities can be disrupted by medication, stress, environmental toxins and lifestyle, altering their composition and leading to health issues.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that help restore the balance of human microbiomes. Probiotics interact with other microbes and can influence the biome’s conditions, such as altering pH or inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
Probiotics and Female Gut Health
Most of the bacteria in the body is located in the gut. As women’s gut flora differs in composition from men’s, a probiotic targeted to women can be helpful in reestablishing a healthy microbiome.
Disruptions in the gut microbiome have been implicated in a range of female health issues, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, bone-related diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Alzheimer’s and obesity.
Probiotics for Female Reproductive Health
Another health concern for women is the microbial balance in the vagina, which can be affected by fluctuating hormones. An imbalance in vaginal flora can lead to bacterial vaginosis and complications that include risk of infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes and preterm birth.
A study of the role of probiotics in women’s health summarized numerous ways probiotics can improve wellness through the reproductive years, menopause and perimenopause. These benefits include:
- Preventing and managing bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections
- Reducing risk of UTIs
- Reducing risk of gestational diabetes
- Improving dry, inflamed urogenital tissues that can occur in menopause
Probiotic supplements, depending on the species and strain, can balance the vaginal microbiome and support overall reproductive health.
Health Benefits of Probiotics for Women
Although many people can benefit from probiotics, they’re especially helpful as women transition through different life stages. For example, women in menopause tend to have reduced gut microbiome diversity.
An imbalance in gut microbiota at any age leads to discomfort like gas, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics aid in digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, helping with day-to-day gastrointestinal wellness.
One of the most promising benefits of probiotics is the broader connection between gut health and other body systems. Researchers are studying the link between gut microbiota and the central nervous system, including the potential of probiotic supplementation to improve anxiety and mood. A healthy gut is also linked to immune system response.
How to Choose the Right Probiotic Supplement for Women
As probiotic supplements can include any number of probiotic strains, products can be tailored to meet women’s specific health needs. Lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, are commonly used. Other frequently used probiotics are Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Escherichia.
Most strains help to keep harmful bacteria in check in the gastrointestinal tract. Other benefits may be associated with particular strains. In one study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 helped restore healthy vaginal flora by reducing potentially harmful bacteria and yeast. These strains also helped prevent vaginal growth of group B streptococci, which can cause meningitis and other conditions in newborns.
Reading Product Labels
When reviewing Supplement Fact labels, look for the number of colony-forming units (CFU), which indicate the number of viable cells in the supplement. Transparent labels indicate the CFU at the end of shelf life, not just at manufacturing.
Manufacturers aren’t required to list CFUs. The label may only list the total weight of the microorganisms, both viable and nonviable. Be sure to review the supplement’s expiration date and storage directions.
Tips for Getting the Most From Probiotics
As probiotics are live microorganisms, they need to make it to the intestine intact to do their jobs. Many manufacturers take steps to preserve the live organisms by using enteric-coated or delayed-release capsules. Probiotics should be used consistently for optimal results, so they should be part of a routine and taken at the same time each day.
Stomach acids affect how well the microorganisms in a probiotic supplement survive once consumed. Taking a probiotic with a meal, or 30 minutes before a meal, delivered the best results, according to one study. Researchers found the bacteria in a commercial probiotic survived better if the supplement was taken with milk instead of spring water or apple juice. It’s best to follow manufacturer recommendations on specific products, as probiotic strains have different levels of resilience.
The Role of Prebiotics
Probiotics feed on specific nutrients, known as prebiotics, to thrive. Prebiotics are found in fiber-rich foods, such as whole-grains, peas, beans, lentils, asparagus and corn. Adding these foods to your diet can help the probiotics work more effectively.
Probiotics as a Long-Term Wellness Tool for Women
Probiotics offer an array of benefits through the full spectrum of a woman’s life, from promoting digestion to supporting reproductive health. These supplements can be a valuable part of daily wellness, maintaining the delicate balance of microorganisms in various parts of the body. As probiotic strains have different benefits, supplements can be formulated to target specific health needs. A fiber-rich diet can enhance their effectiveness.
Bactolac Pharmaceutical can help companies interested in manufacturing probiotic formulations specifically for different stages of feminine health. Contact us to learn how we can support your supplement production needs.
