Can probiotics support women’s health?

Probiotics are live, friendly bacteria and other microbes that can benefit your health when consumed in the right amounts. 

You’ve probably heard the term ‘good’ bacteria – that’s them. Probiotics are available in liquid, capsule and powder forms.

Scientists are investigating how probiotics might support human health, by reducing constipation and tackling bloating, for example.

In this article, we’ll explore how they might help support the health of females, specifically.

How can probiotics support health?

The ‘gut microbiome’ refers to the trillions of microbes that live in your gut. But although your intestines are a bacterial hotspot, bacteria also find a home elsewhere in your body. 

For instance, you have lively colonies of microbes on your skin and inside your mouth, lungs and vagina.

Scientists think probiotics can support your health in a number of ways. For instance, by: 

• stopping ‘bad’ gut bacteria from flourishing
• supporting ‘good’ gut bacteria
• helping to boost your immune system

Health benefits of probiotics for women

Probiotics is a topic that scientists are actively researching, and a lot of interesting evidence is emerging.

Below, we’ll outline what researchers have discovered so far about how probiotics may support female health.

1. Supporting vaginal health

As we mentioned, your vagina has its own microbiome. Scientists don’t know all the details about how this community works – we know much more about the gut microbiome. 

The most common bacterial strains in the vagina include Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus jensenii. And certain species, like those in the Lactobacillus family, appear to be linked to better vaginal health. 

This is probably because Lactobacillus bacteria help make the vagina more acidic, making it more difficult for ‘bad’ bacteria to grow. Lactobacillus bacteria also release compounds that reduce inflammation and defend against disease-causing microbes.

There’s evidence that probiotics help treat common vaginal infections, such as vaginitis. Probiotics applied directly to the vagina or taken orally both seem to be effective.

2. Probiotics during the menopause

The menopause transition can be a challenging time for many. Even in the earliest stages, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate, you may experience a range of symptoms. 

They might include physical changes, like vaginal dryness, night sweats and hot flushes, as well as other symptoms, such as anxiety and fatigue.

In the section on vaginal health above, we mentioned Lactobacillus bacteria. As you age, levels of these ‘good’ microbes decline, which may be partially responsible for vaginal symptoms, such as dryness.

There’s some evidence that probiotic supplements might help reduce symptoms associated with the menopause, but researchers need to conduct longer, larger studies. 

Going through the menopause increases the risk of certain diseases, like osteoporosis, obesity and heart disease – and some researchers believe that probiotic supplements might help reduce these risks. 

The menopause remains an under-researched topic. Thankfully, this is slowly changing, so we may see more studies on menopause symptoms and probiotics in the coming years.

3. Protecting against urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection, also called cystitis or a UTI, can affect anyone, but it’s much more common in females. 

In fact, around half of all females experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. And for some, these infections return frequently, impacting the quality of life. 

Some research suggests that probiotic supplements might help treat recurrent UTIs.

For instance, in a review of nine studies, two concluded that probiotics reduced the risk of UTIs, while the remaining studies were inconclusive. 

Lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina are thought to be an important defence against infections. Taking Lactobacillus supplements may help prevent and treat UTIs by restoring the balance of the vaginal microbiome. 

There are two different routes for probiotics in this case – they can be taken orally or applied inside the vagina. 

4. Improving fertility?

Some websites claim that probiotic supplements might increase female fertility. But as it stands, there’s no good evidence of this.

There’s been very little research on the topic so far. Some scientists hope to identify ways that probiotics might help increase fertility, for instance during in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), in the future. 

But for now, the jury’s out.

5. Supporting bone health

After the menopause, females have a higher risk of osteoporosis. With this condition, bones become weaker and are more likely to break.

One meta-analysis concluded that probiotic supplements seem linked to improved markers of bone health in postmenopausal women.

The authors of another review reached similar conclusions, suggesting that probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus strains may support bone health after the menopause. 

Specific strains that may support bone health are ​​Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobaccilus plantarum.  

6. Protecting gut health

Females are more likely than males to experience certain gut conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

There can be many reasons for digestive symptoms, and sometimes they’re caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome. 

Probiotics may relieve certain symptoms – helping to restore the balance by supporting the population of ‘good’ gut bacteria and suppressing ‘bad’ bacteria.

Many studies have shown that probiotics are a safe, effective treatment for IBS. There’s evidence that probiotic supplements relieve specific IBS symptoms, like bloating. 

You can read more about probiotics for IBS in this article. 

7. Mood-boosting?

Recently, there’s been growing interest in the links between gut health and mental health. It’s now well-established that there are strong links between your gut and your brain.

While anyone may develop a mood disorder or mental health condition, females are more likely to be affected. 

Scientists are investigating whether probiotics might help reduce the symptoms of mental health conditions.

Some researchers believe that probiotics might one day be used alongside drugs and talking therapies to improve outcomes. When probiotics are used in this way, experts call them psychobiotics. 

Specifically, emerging research shows that certain bacteria may help improve mood disorders.

Many studies have used brain scans to try and understand how probiotics may affect brain activity. For example, one study showed that 4 weeks of probiotic supplementation affected activity in regions of the brain that control emotions and feelings.

Do any foods contain probiotics?

Many people assume that fermented foods contain probiotics, so women who are looking to improve their gut health may turn to these foods. 

But the truth is that fermented foods may or may not contain live microbes. And if live microbes are present, they may not offer any health benefits.

Still, fermented foods do support gut health, and they’re a great addition to your diet. Some examples include:

• natural or Greek yoghurt
• kefir
• kimchi
• sauerkraut
• some cheeses, like Parmesan

You can learn more in our article on fermented foods and their health benefits.

Summary

Probiotics are live bacteria that can support your health. They’re available as liquids, capsules and powders. 

There’s some evidence that probiotics can help with health issues specific to females. 

For instance, they may help support vaginal, bone and gut health, reduce menopause symptoms and protect against UTIs.

This area of research is still quite new, and scientists are actively exploring which species of probiotics might work best to support different aspects of female health.

To learn more about probiotics and other gut health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.

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