Probiotics are often referred to as nature’s good guys. While widely available in foods and supplements, there are also situations when they’re terribly unbalanced, leading to a series of unpleasant signs and symptoms.
For example, stress, antibiotics, and hormonal changes can disrupt your microbiome, making it harder for beneficial bacteria to thrive and maintain optimal pH levels.
From fertility issues to urinary tract infections, the right probiotics can help women maintain their vaginal health at the highest standards. Choosing the right product for your particular needs requires a bit of research though. Let’s go through some of the best probiotics and what it takes to choose the right one.
- The Best Probiotics for pH Balance
Choosing the right vaginal probiotic starts with learning more about the main probiotics responsible for pH balance. There are more strains out there, but some of them are particularly known for helping in this manner:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus. When checking the ingredients, you may often find this strain as GT-1 and RC-14. It’s better known for preventing bacterial vaginosis, but also thrush. The probiotic sticks to vaginal walls and maintains the acid production at the highest standards.
- Lactobacillus paracasei. Known as F-19 too, it’s been proven to keep the vaginal pH at the optimal standards, but also to reduce potential odors associated with an unhealthy imbalance.
- Lactobacillus acidophilos. Sometimes referred to as La-14 as well, this strain is known to maintain the balance in the vaginal microbiome. It offers stability, yet it also has a positive effect on the pH.
- Lactobacillus crispatus. While this strain isn’t as researched as others, it’s believed to help restore the bacterial microbiome and prevent bacterial vaginosis.
While these probiotics may support vaginal pH balance, you can also find several helpful strains combined in different products. This can be useful if you’re looking for a more complete vaginal health supplement instead of taking multiple products separately. To better understand how probiotics may support bacterial balance, read our guide on probiotics for bacterial vaginosis.
- What to Expect from Probiotics for pH Balance
Understanding how certain probiotics work for pH balance is just as important in making a decision. Sure, you could just have a list of the optimal probiotics to choose, but knowing how they work will ensure you take them accordingly. Plus, you need to make sure they match your unique necessities.
Most of the above-mentioned probiotics work by producing healthy acid in the vaginal area. This form of lactic acid tends to lower the vaginal pH. The lower the pH is, the more difficult it becomes for yeast and harmful bacteria to thrive. Some strains also produce hydrogen peroxide, which further inhibits the growth of pathogens.
Of course, there are two extremes to each situation. Reducing the pH too much can also lead to unhealthy situations, so it’s imperative to maintain a healthy balance instead, not too high, but not too low either.
On top of this, probiotics for pH balance will physically overgrow and push pathogens out. It’s a natural process where pathogens are phased out slowly. When healthy bacteria take the space, there’s no room for unhealthy growths. In the long run, this growth will provide the area with all sorts of nutrients too.
- What’s the Best Probiotic for pH Balance?
Choosing the best probiotic for pH balance depends on what you need help with. If you’re not 100% sure of what you need, it might be a good idea to consult a healthcare professional first. Some probiotics are given for maintenance, while others are taken to battle certain infections.
The most effective probiotics for pH balance are typically those that contain high concentrations of the key Lactobacillus strains mentioned above.
Generally speaking, you’ll need to have specific strains. When you look for supplements, you’ll find general products that claim to have probiotics. It’s a general term though. Sure, you’ll get some healthy probiotics, but they won’t always work on your pH balance.
Instead, you’ll need to look for the above-mentioned Lactobacillus strains, which are proven to help with the pH balance.
Second, make sure you get a decent amount of probiotics. A small amount won’t necessarily benefit you. Few bacteria won’t be able to push an infection or pathogens out, so you’re not really helping yourself.
The amounts of probiotics are measured in CFU (Colony Forming Unit). A high CFU count guarantees plenty of beneficial bacteria will be delivered. Most studies suggest that daily doses of 10-50 billion CFUs are effective for restoring and maintaining vaginal pH.
Last, but not least, you obviously have to look for specific formulations.
Probiotics come in all kinds of strains. Some of them are advertised for women’s health. They may or may not have the optimal strains for vaginal pH. Some others are advertised for the prevention of certain infections. Same story.
The more targeted the formulation is, the better. Indeed, some probiotic supplements can provide more benefits. Apart from maintaining the vaginal pH, you may also find extras like general wellness, infection prevention and so on. More is better, but make sure your primary concern is addressed first.
Bottom line, it’s hard to tell what the best probiotic for pH balance is. There are more strains out there, some of them better researched than others. When choosing a supplement, make sure it’s specifically made for pH balance, has the right strains and a high CFU count.
