What is a Vaginal Probiotic?
Your vagina is a pretty amazing place. At different times in your life, your vagina has several different jobs. It can stretch to have a baby pass through, supports sperm’s journey, provides a path for your menstruation to leave your body, and is an important part of both your reproductive and sexual health. Vaginal probiotics may be a helpful way to support this important organ – let’s learn more about probiotics and what they do in the body.
What is a Probiotic?
Heard about probiotics recently? Wondering what they are? The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” In fact, the word probiotic comes from the words “pro” and “biota”, meaning “for life.”
In general, microorganisms are bacteria and yeasts that naturally live in our bodies, including in our vagina. Probiotic supplements provide good bacteria, the ones that you want in your system to support health and wellness.
There are many different types of probiotics. Probiotics are named by genus, species, and strain - which means that you will often see them listed with a couple of names and sometimes a number at the end – for example: Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. Lactobacillus is the genus, reuteri is the species, and RC-14 is the strain.
Bacteria are often measured in Colony Forming Units (CFU). Probiotic dosages are often in the millions or billions of CFU. While that may seem like a very large number, in fact, that amount of CFU is still just in milligrams of probiotics.
What are the benefits of probiotics?
Different strains of probiotics have different benefits. Some probiotics help support digestive health.* Others support immune health.* And others can help support vaginal health.*
How do vaginal probiotics work?
Just like other parts of our bodies, including the digestive tract, the vagina is host to many different microorganisms. The vagina is often discussed in terms of the “flora” – the microbiota that is in the vagina. At any time, there is a wide variety of bacteria in your vagina, both good and bad bacteria and yeasts. The good bacteria and yeasts support healthy flora, while the other types of bacteria and yeasts can tip your system toward an imbalance.
Interestingly, the mix of the bacteria and yeasts that are in your vagina changes over your lifetime, between puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. This shows that your vaginal microbiota is an evolving and ever-changing place.
Vaginal probiotics help to positively change the balance of bacteria in the vagina. RepHresh Pro-B is an oral feminine probiotic clinically shown to balance yeast and bacteria to maintain feminine health.*
Why is vaginal health important?
Just like it’s important to take care of your digestion, it’s also important to take care of your vaginal health. It’s a key part of your body and one you want to take care of regularly. If the bacteria and pH of your vagina get off track, it’s not fun.
How to choose a vaginal probiotic?
The most important thing to look for in a vaginal probiotic is to look for one that contains probiotics that are tested to be effective in promoting vaginal health. Not just any probiotic will do. Specific probiotics offer specific benefits, and only some will help support vaginal health.
RepHresh Pro-B vaginal probiotic supplement contains strains specific to support vaginal health.* RepHresh Pro-B probiotic supplement contains clinically tested strains of lactobacillus that have been shown to support vaginal health.*
What does RepHresh Pro-B offer?
There are several reasons to choose RepHresh Pro-B as your vaginal probiotic. RepHresh Pro-B is a proprietary probiotic blend for vaginal health.* It is taken orally, once a day.
With 5 billion beneficial bacteria,** RepHresh Pro-B contains clinically tested lactobacillus strains: L.rhamnosus (GR-1) and L.reuteri (RC-14). RepHresh Pro-B is clinically shown and doctor-formulated to support vaginal health.*
**Per serving at time of manufacture
How do you use vaginal probiotics?
Vaginal probiotics are available in a couple of different forms. A great option is an oral supplement that you take by mouth. RepHresh Pro-B is an feminine health oral probiotic that you take by mouth daily.
When is the best time to take female probiotics?
There is not a specific time of day to take feminine oral probiotics. What is important is to take RepHresh Pro-B every day to help maintain probiotics in your system.* As vaginal flora can become unbalanced, it’s important to take RepHresh Pro-B daily for maintenance.
How long does it take for feminine probiotics to work?
A clinical study shows that RepHresh Pro-B vaginal probiotic supplement begins working in as few as 7 days.
Why is vaginal pH important?
A normal vaginal pH of 3.5 to 4.5 is important for maintaining good vaginal health. At this optimum pH level, your vagina contains a balance of necessary bacteria and some yeast.
What is the difference between RepHresh Pro-B and RepHresh Vaginal Gel?
RepHresh Pro-B and RepHresh Odor Eliminating Vaginal Gel are two different products that both play an important role in promoting vaginal care.*
RepHresh Odor Eliminating Gel is clinically tested to maintain vaginal pH for up to three days. This gel balances pH to eliminate feminine odor and relieves feminine discomfort due to dryness. It comes in an applicator to use the gel directly in your vagina.
RepHresh Pro-B Feminine Probiotic is a supplement that you take by mouth. This vaginal probiotic provides specific Lactobacillus probiotics that are found to support vaginal health.* Lactobacillus produces lactic acid which actively balances your vaginal pH.*
Promoting Vaginal Health
Vaginal health. That’s a phrase that you don’t often hear discussed. While possibly not a hot topic of conversation among your friends, supporting your vaginal health can help you feel your best. Vaginal probiotics can be a useful tool in your toolbox of ways to help promote vaginal health.*
If you notice a vaginal odor you don’t recognize, you develop an unfamiliar discharge, pain, discomfort or any other symptoms that give you concern, contact your health care professional.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
