Fizkes \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
How Probiotics Help With BV <\/p>\n
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) happens when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina<\/a> gets disrupted. Normally, good bacteria called Lactobacillus keep the vagina slightly acidic, which helps stop infections. However, things like sex, douching, antibiotics, or hormone changes can raise the vaginal pH<\/a> and let harmful bacteria grow.\n<\/p>\n Probiotics are good bacteria that help fix this balance. They can:\n<\/p>\n Probiotics can work well on their own or with other BV treatments<\/a>. Because they are natural and usually safe, they offer a gentle way to protect vaginal health and help prevent future infections.<\/p>\n How quickly do probiotics help with BV?<\/p>\n While probiotics may begin helping within five days, fully clearing BV\u2014especially recurring cases\u2014can take several weeks or even months. The time it takes depends on the individual and how severe the infection is. Taking antibiotics together with probiotics generally speeds up recovery.<\/p>\n Which Probiotics Work Best? <\/p>\n The best probiotics for treating BV are based on Lactobacilli, such as:\n<\/p>\n These strains are most effective because they help restore the vagina\u2019s natural balance by producing lactic acid<\/a>, which lowers pH and makes it harder for harmful bacteria to grow.\n<\/p>\n Some, like Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, have also been shown to stick to vaginal walls and block infection-causing microbes. Together, they support a healthier microbiome and help reduce the risk of BV coming back.\n<\/p>\n Supplement Options <\/p>\n Many probiotic supplements<\/a> are available, including those formulated with Lactobacilli strains that support vaginal health and help manage BV. These come in many forms\u2014capsules, powders, wafers, liquids, and vaginal suppositories.<\/p>\n Lactobacilli are also found in certain fermented foods<\/a>, including:\n<\/p>\n For treating BV, some evidence suggests that oral probiotics are most effective, though other studies indicate that direct vaginal application may offer faster relief. Applying plain yogurt topically is generally considered safe, but avoid using fermented foods like kimchi or pickles, as their acidity and spices can irritate sensitive vaginal tissue.\n<\/p>\n Although you may not be able to completely prevent BV, regularly including probiotics in your diet is one of the best ways to help reduce the risk and maintain a healthy vaginal pH.\n<\/p>\n Finding the Right Dose <\/p>\n Probiotic supplements<\/a> vary in strength, typically ranging from 1 to 50 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). While there\u2019s no standard dose, it’s generally recommended to start with at least 1 billion CFUs.\n<\/p>\n Your healthcare provider can help determine the right dose and timing<\/a> for you. Common probiotic regimens include:\n<\/p>\n If you\u2019re also taking antibiotics, your provider may suggest taking probiotics at least two hours afterward.\n<\/p>\n Possible Side Effects <\/p>\n Probiotics are generally safe for healthy individuals, but they may cause mild side effects, such as:\n<\/p>\n Although rare, probiotics may pose risks for people with weakened immune systems or serious underlying health conditions, including the potential for infections.\n<\/p>\n In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements the way it regulates prescription medications. As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label. When\u00a0choosing a supplement<\/a>, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab. For personalized guidance, consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.<\/p>\n Other Ways to Treat BV <\/p>\n \u00a0Bacterial vaginosis is most commonly treated with one of the following antibiotics:\n<\/p>\n In some cases, your healthcare provider may also recommend alternative or additional treatments, such as:\n<\/p>\n These treatments can come as oral medications or vaginal creams or gels. For recurring BV (infections that keep coming back), your provider may prescribe both oral and vaginal treatments at the same time.\n<\/p>\n Studies show that combining probiotics with antibiotics can be more effective than using either one alone.\n<\/p>\n What Is the Strongest Treatment for BV?<\/p>\n The strongest treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) is antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin. Always finish the entire course as your healthcare provider recommends.<\/p>\n Key Takeaways <\/p>\n Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process<\/a> to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n University of Michigan Health. Vaginal wet mount<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Han Y, Ren QL. Does probiotics work for bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis<\/a>. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2021;61(1):83-90. doi:10.1016\/j.coph.2021.09.004<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Heczko P, Tomusiak A, Adamski P, et al. Supplementation of standard antibiotic therapy with oral probiotics for bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial<\/a>. BMC Womens Health. 2015;15:115. doi:10.1186\/s12905-015-0246-6<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Bagnall P, Rizzolo D. Bacterial vaginosis: A practical review<\/a>. J Am Acad Phys Assist. 2017;30(12):15-21. doi:10.1097\/01.JAA.0000526770.60197.fa<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Webb L. Probiotics for preventing recurrent bacterial vaginosis<\/a>. JAAPA.\u00a02021;34(2):19-22. doi:10.1097\/01.JAA.0000731484.81301.58<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Petrova M, Reid G, ter Haar, J. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GR-1, a.k.a. lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1: Past and future perspectives<\/a>. Trends in Microbiology. 2021;29(8):747-761. doi:10.1016\/j.tim.2021.03.010<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Chieng WK, Abdul Jalal MI, Bedi JS, et al. Probiotics, a promising therapy to reduce the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis in women? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials<\/a>. Front Nutr. 2022;9:938838. doi:10.3389\/fnut.2022.938838<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Liu P, Lu Y, Li R, Chen X. Use of probiotic lactobacilli in the treatment of vaginal infections: in vitro and in vivo investigations<\/a>. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023;13(1):1153894. doi:10.3389\/fcimb.2023.1153894<\/p>\n<\/li>\n National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Probiotics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Planned Parenthood. What is bacterial vaginosis?<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lerner A, Shoenfeld Y, Matthias T. Probiotics: If it does not help it does not do any harm. Really?<\/a> Microorganisms. 2019;7(4):104. doi:10.3390\/microorganisms7040104<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y. Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis<\/a>. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. doi:10.3390\/ijerph16203859<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Chen R, Li R, Qing W, et al. Probiotics are a good choice for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial<\/a>. Reprod Health. 2022;19:137. doi:10.1186\/s12978-022-01449-z<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Additional Reading<\/p>\n\n
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