Probiotics for Women

Call it a “gut feeling” if you will, but the body craves probiotics. Probiotic supplements are live microorganisms that deliver “good bacteria” to the gut^[1]. This can lead to reduced discomfort, healthy brain function and support a well-balanced digestive system^[2].

Probiotics are naturally found in certain foods, such as yogurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut. But if you’re struggling to fit it into your diet, probiotic supplements—in the form of capsules, powders and liquid—also deliver this goodness. The most common strains found in probiotic products are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces.

While everyone can benefit from a better balance of healthy gut bacteria, certain strains of probiotics are particularly helpful to women. These strains aid in digestive conditions, hormone support and vaginal discomfort.

Read on to learn everything there is to know about probiotics for women.

Gut Health

Did you know that women suffer from more digestive issues than men? It’s sad but true. But the good news is that women are more likely to use a probiotic supplement than men.^[3] This small step goes a long way in supporting gut health.

Your gut contains some bad apples—aka bad bacteria. Probiotics help keep a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut, including the lining of the digestive tract. They support the breaking down of fiber to aid in digestion, creating short-chain fatty acids (also called postbiotics; more on that later) and supporting your immune system.^[4]

Research has found evidence that probiotics improve digestive complaints^[5] and occasional constipation^[6].

One study had patients with IBS eat yogurt—one of the best foods for gut health that’s primarily made up of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. At the end of the study, they found that probiotics reduced the severity of digestive discomfort symptoms by improving intestinal function.^[7]

Bloating

According to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, nearly one in seven Americans experience bloating every week.^[8] But it’s women who are twice as likely to deal with bloating.

The common cause of bloating for women is hormones. They fluctuate due to the menstrual cycle and perimenopause.

Since the gut microbiome influences the reproductive system, interruptions to the gut microbiome (an overflow of bad bacteria) can cause hormones to not metabolize properly and return to the bloodstream.^[9] This results in the telltale signs of bloating, such as a puffy face and a swollen stomach.

Probiotic supplements can help your body shed excess water by restoring balance to the gut’s bacteria and reducing excess gas that gets trapped in the gastrointestinal tract.

Constipation

Women are more likely to suffer from occasional constipation than men. These unsatisfying trips to the bathroom boil down to a woman’s anatomy and hormones.^[10] Starting with anatomy, a man’s colon is eight centimeters shorter than a woman’s, which means that men have a faster time emptying it out.

Additionally, studies have found that hormone imbalances, particularly estrogen and progesterone, slow down gut movement.^[11] Clinical studies have promising evidence that probiotics can improve symptoms of occasional constipation by improving the gut microbiome and supporting immune function.^[12]

Digestive Discomfort

On any given day, the symptoms of digestive discomfort are unpleasant. This gastrointestinal condition is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. But research has found that a woman’s digestive discomfort symptoms can actually get worse during her period.^[13]

Hormones are once again at play here.^[14] You can breathe out a sigh of relief in knowing that probiotics are teeming with benefits for gut health.

Several studies have found that probiotics improve the symptoms of digestive discomfort by slowing down bowel movements and reducing discomfort.^[15]

Certain probiotic strains are better than others. You want to choose probiotics that contain Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus or Saccharomyces. These strains have all been studied for their positive impact on digestive discomfort.

Reproductive Health

When you think of probiotics, it’s easy to think about the benefits to the digestive system. But these microorganisms benefit a woman’s body in other areas, such as the vagina’s microbiome. When this bacterium gets out of balance, vaginal imbalances such as bacterial yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis (BV) can occur.^[16]

When choosing a probiotic for vaginal health, opt for one from the Lactobacillus family. As the most abundant bacteria in the vagina, studies have found that various strains of Lactobacillus are particularly beneficial supporting vaginal health^[17]. Additionally, it’s been found to prevent unbalance and maintain the low pH level that’s required for optimum vaginal health.

Pregnancy

If you’re craving pickles while pregnant, consider yourself lucky. It’s one of the many probiotic-rich foods that benefit the digestive system! Probiotics may help with morning sickness, which is a condition that affects about 85 percent of women.^[18].

Researchers from the UC Davis School of Medicine set out to find if probiotics could help reduce these symptoms and improve the quality of life of pregnant women. At the end of their 16-day study, which consisted of 32 participants, they found that two cycles of daily probiotics followed by two days without probiotics significantly improved the symptoms of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.^[19]

Maintaining Healthy Weight

Gut bacteria and weight management go hand in hand. A diet rich in probiotics has been found to rev up your metabolism, reduce stubborn belly fat and make you feel fuller faster.

As with any weight loss strategy, it’s important to focus on the foods you’re eating. For a happy and healthy gut, choose probiotic-rich foods, such as:

• Yogurt
• Sauerkraut
• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Kimchi
• Miso
• Pickles

Probiotic Supplements

The particular strain we use in the Bulletpoof probiotic supplement is Bifidobacterium lactis. Bifidobacterium lactis is a shelf-stable probiotic strain that supports a healthy gut microbiome and GI tract. We use Bifidobacterium because it is one of the most clinically researched probiotic strains available. We also include postbiotics and prebiotics in this supplement so you can experience the benefits of but health faster.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics help feed good bacteria. These are foods that feed probiotics. Since the human body can’t digest these types of fiber, probiotics do the job for you. Some examples of these high-fiber foods include:

• Oats
• Legumes
• Bananas
• Berries
• Garlic

Postbiotics

We add tributyrin, a postbiotic, to our probiotic supplement formular. Postbiotics protect your gut lining, helping you feel relief from occasional GI discomfort. These bioactive compounds are the byproduct of the body digesting prebiotics and probiotics foods. The body produces them after breaking down foods, such as fibers (think whole grains and fruits and vegetables).

A few examples of postbiotics include short-chain fatty acids and enzymes. The health benefits of postbiotics are like probiotics as they both support the immune system, aid the digestive system and help with digestive discomfort.