Women’s body is said to be more vulnerable to bacteria and yeast infections. Conditions like urogenital infections, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs) among others are very common to women.
That is why you are advised a regular intake of probiotics to prevent and/or cure such kind of conditions.
But what are probiotics? They are good bacteria and yeast found in our guts.
Surprised? Don’t be. It’s
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there are live “good” and “harmless” bacteria and yeast in our bodies, especially in our guts.
Probiotics are live microorganisms in form of foods or supplements, which are administered in the body with the intention of improving or maintaining the good bacteria.
They reside mostly in the gut. Examples of probiotics foods include; yogurt, kimchi, kefir, tempeh, and sauerkraut.[1]
Don’t confuse probiotics with prebiotics, which are high-fiber foods like soya beans, whole grains, greens, bananas among others. Their function is to feed the bacterial in the gut bringing balance between the microorganisms. [2] [3]
There are 3 types of probiotics namely;
- Lactobacillus – These are the most common probiotics found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Depending on the strain, they help with bacterial infections, diarrhea, and lactose digestion problems.
- Bifidobacterium – These are probiotics found mostly in dairy products. They help to reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome among other conditions.
- Saccharomyces
boulardii – These are probiotics in form of yeasts which helps to fight diarrhea and other digestive disorders. [4]
Below is a summary of the benefits of probiotics for women.
Some probiotics are known to Cure Vaginal Infections
Itching and irritation are the most common symptoms of vaginal infections such as vaginal yeast infections, urogenital infections, and bacterial vaginosis.
And we can agree, it’s a very uncomfortable state.
Regular intake of certain probiotics is known to cure these vaginal infections.
They do so by maintaining balance in the vaginal microbiome and enhancing vaginal flora in general.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus fermentum are effective probiotics for curing vaginal infections. [5]
Probiotics Improves Fertility
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infertility is one of the growing problems affecting over 1 million premenopausal women worldwide.
Conditions like UTIs, STDs, and vaginal infections are the main contributors of infertility in women.
Probiotics can improve your chances of conceiving and carrying the baby full term.
They bring balance in the vaginal tract and can prevent conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) – and hence good for your fertility. [6]
Probiotics Can Help Treat Skin Conditions
We all desire a smooth glowing skin.
But sometimes we may get infected by conditions like eczema, acne, and rosacea mostly caused by inflammation.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, probiotics have been found to have healing effects on these conditions.
They treat the inflammation hence eradicating the skin conditions. They can either be applied on the skin or taken orally. [7]
Some Probiotics Prevent UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)
Reduction in the number of Lactobacillus in the vaginal tract is one of the main causes of UTIs.
A regular intake of certain probiotics can help to bring balance in the vaginal flora.
A combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri is mixed with hydrogen peroxide to cure the UTIs. [8]
Bottom Line
Probiotics are very beneficial to women’s health in general.
They not only prevent and/or treat vaginal infections and UTIs but can also improve fertility and treat skin conditions.
Probiotics are of many types and work differently to improve different conditions.
It is advisable to seek advice from a specialist before deciding to use Probiotics to cure or improve your health condition.
So, do you use probiotics? What other benefits can you add to our list? Share your experiences in the comment section.
Hi, my name is Sopo Yung. I share natural health remedies and strategies to guide you to a healthier natural lifestyle –My passion and mission are to help you enjoy a fulfilled healthy life.
