How Do Probiotics Help Women’s Health?

Probiotics, you’ve no doubt heard about them, you may have had people telling you they take them. But the question is, how do probiotics help women’s health? It admittedly does sound too good to be true, and this is exactly why I’m here to share with you what all the commotion is about and what you can expect to see once you’ve introduced probiotics into everyday routine.

What are probiotics good for in woman?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in your gut and are hugely beneficial for your overall health. This is because it is often considered your gut is your second brain and once there is balance restored, you’ll be amazed at the results you will see. As for seeing what probiotics are good for in woman’s health, here are some examples of what you can expect.

1. Maintaining Gut Health

As I have already said, your gut is complex and maintaining functional gut health can prove to be difficult. Thanks to probiotics you can regulate gastrointestinal tract ensuring they function correctly resulting in any discomfort and bloating is significantly reduced.

2. Prevents Urinary Tract Infections

Thanks to probiotics you can subside the discomfort and symptoms of urinary tract infections whilst reducing the frequency they occur, especially if you are one of the women who suffer from UTIs on a regular basis.

3. Restores Good Bacteria

If you have been unwell or prescribed antibiotics, chances are your body is suffering from an imbalance. Using probiotics will give the good bacteria the opportunity to return and counteract any remaining bad bacteria, helping to establish balance again.

4. Target Vaginal Infections

Vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and urogenital infections are all very common problems caused when there is a microbiome imbalance. By introducing probiotics, in particular the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus, will combat these infections quickly and effectively. 

5. Combats Skin Concerns

Beauty starts from within! Various studies have demonstrated that when probiotics are introduced into your skincare routine certain skin concerns, such as acne, rosacea and eczema are significantly improved.

There you have just a few examples of how effective probiotics can help with women’s health. Now let’s investigate what you can expect to see when you first start using probiotics.

What happens to your body when you start taking probiotics?

As I have already suggested there is a vast array of benefits to taking probiotics, but before this there are some common side effects that you must be prepared to experience, such as the following.

• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Rashes
• Itching of the skin
• In rare cases, severe allergic reactions

These side effects are very much dependant on the strain of probiotics you are ingesting. The symptoms of bloating, gas and diarrhoea are only short term whilst the gut’s microbiome is getting accustomed to the introduction of daily capsules. As for more severe side effects its important you stop taking the probiotics immediately and seek the help from your doctor.

What are the signs you need probiotics?

With such an impressive selection of benefits provided by probiotics, you may be surprised at some of the concerns they are able to target. For example,

• Your metabolism feels slow and sluggish- establishing a healthy boost in good bacteria into the gut will restore balance and quick start your slow metabolism in no time!
• You’re suffering from drying skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis- By making your gut happy and digestion functioning properly will have overwhelming success in your skin’s overall health and appearance.
• You have irregular digestion function- with a regular intake of good bacteria you can target irregular bowl movements and reduce any gas or bloating.

If you have found yourself to suffer from these, then taking probiotics should be the next step for you. But before you try anything new, always consult with your GP to ensure you are using the correct supplement.

How long does it take for women’s probiotics to work?

On average most people begin to see significant improvement after 2-3 weeks. This is because during this time the bad bacteria that have overgrown and basically out stayed their welcome, have been significantly reduced in your gut. Once there is balance restored in the microbiome you will begin to notice the benefits in your digestion and intimate health.

An imbalance in the gut’s microbiome is something that can easily happen so always ensure you are consistent in taking your probiotics, trust us, it’ll be the best habit you ever start in your everyday routine.

When should you take probiotics morning or night?

Take your probiotics in the morning, as it is believed that they are most effective when they are taken on an empty stomach. Taking your probiotics before your breakfast will kick start your digestion and gut health to remain balanced for the rest of the day. Don’t panic if you forget to take them in the morning, you can still reap the rewards if you wait until you go to bed, just as long you haven’t eaten anything for 2-3 hours beforehand. 

What is the best probiotic for women’s pH balance?

Lactobacillus acidophilus has been clinically proven to help maintain a balanced and healthy vaginal pH levels. With over 50 strains of microbes inside the vagina the risk of imbalance is surprisingly high, especially when any of the following are experienced.

• Unprotected sex with a male partner
• Menstrual cycle
• Lack of basic good hygiene practise
• Experiencing hormonal changes- particularly after childbirth

With an imbalance you could find you suffer from concerns such as UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections and trichomoniasis, all of which are very common and easily targeted with probiotics supplements containing lactobacillus acidophilus. Once the women’s intimate pH levels have become balanced you will find any concerns will be reduced. If you find there is no improvement, it is best to consult with a doctor for further diagnosis.

Should every woman take probiotics?

The short answer is, yes. The longer, more complicated answer is, yes, but only if you are aware that you have poor gut health. This can be a result of poor diet or if you have been unwell for a significant amount of time. There is no harm in introducing probiotics into your daily routine as the balance of the microbiome will only benefit from that helping hand in regulating the good bacteria.

I hope these have answered some of the questions you had about how probiotics help women’s health. Don’t forget if you have any questions you can follow us over on the Wellgard Instagram and one of our team will be able to help you!