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How science-backed probiotics are supporting women’s health
Women's health has increasingly become a more pressing issue, gaining both medical and commercial attention as awareness of gender-specific health needs grows.
This shift reflects not only a broader recognition of the distinct physiological and hormonal differences between men and women but also the rising demand for tailored, individual healthcare solutions.
The women's health market, projected to grow to be worth over $130bn globally by the end of 2031, includes a wide range of products and services designed to address conditions more prevalent or unique to women, such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive health, and bone health concerns.1
As the market grows, there is a greater emphasis on research being conducted to improve female-specific health outcomes. One area where this focus has intensified is the emerging understanding of gut health and probiotics, which are increasingly recognised for their role in promoting overall well-being, including specific benefits for women.
Scientific advancements in microbiome research have revealed that probiotics can aid in managing conditions such as urinary tract infections, vaginal health, and hormonal balance – issues that can be overlooked in broader healthcare discussions.2 As more scientific research substantiates these benefits, consumer interest in probiotic-based products has surged.
Leading with science
One of the most common women’s health issues is vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which affects up to three out of four women at some point in their lifetimes, with many women experiencing at least two episodes.3 It is characterised by a disruption in the vaginal microbiota when there is a marked shift from a lactobacilli-dominated environment to a more diverse microbial ecosystem.
The condition warrants serious attention not only due to the large proportion of the global population that struggles with the issue but also because it can severely reduce the overall well-being and quality of life of the women affected. In addition, this type of infection has a high recurrence rate, further undermining wellbeing and has also been noted to cause a substantial economic burden.4
There is a limited selection of antifungal treatments available to treat the condition; however, traditional therapies can have issues with toxicity and side-effects, and increasingly there is the growing issue of antifungal drug resistance to consider.5
This is where probiotics can offer an alternative option, with increasing amounts of research finding that they may be able to provide an effective tool against VVC.6 Probiotical, an evidence-based probiotics specialist, is conducting its own research into the area to further knowledge of one of the probiotic strains within its portfolio, Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF5.
Efficacy in Vaginal Health and Antipathogenic Properties
One recent study consisted of a randomised, single-blind clinical trial involving 100 premenopausal women diagnosed with VVC, with participants assigned either to a vaginal capsule containing LF5 probiotic strain or miconazole, a standard antifungal treatment.7 The trial was set up to test the microbiological eradication of Candida spp. and recurrence rates were assessed at 30 days post treatment.
At the end of the study, both treatments managed to achieve a high rate of microbiological eradication of Candida spp. within the three-day treatment period (96% for LF5 and 94% for miconazole). Recurrence rates within the two-week post-treatment period were low and similar between the two groups (10% for LF5 and 17% for miconazole). However, one point of differentiation was the finding that LF5 had a significantly lower incidence of local adverse reactions compared to miconazole (4% against 12%).
The authors of the study concluded that the results highlighted the potential of LF5 probiotics as an effective alternative to standard miconazole therapy for the treatment of VVC, with the lower incidence of adverse reactions suggesting an advantage to probiotic treatment. Further, the authors noted that VVC management often relies on repeated use of antimycotics, such as miconazole, in cases where there is recurrence. This highlights a limitation of their use because they are not able to restore the normal vaginal microbiota. By contrast, the study supports the hypothesis that probiotics could potentially alter the course of the disease by stabilising the vaginal flora.
Corroborating the findings from Probiotical’s research comparing LF5 activity against miconazole, there have also been studies of LF5’s activity against different Candida albicans and non-albicans species and the microbe Gardnerella vaginalis.8 The results showed that LF5 demonstrated the ability to inhibit significantly the growth of five species of candida by at least 4 logarithm. Against G. vaginalis, LF5 activity was able to inhibit growth by 80%.
A further study focused on the strains Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02, Lactobacillus crispatus LCR04, and LF5, which were tested separately, and found to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and G. vaginalis.9 All strains demonstrated antipathogenic activity against C. albicans, with LF5 inhibiting 99.4% of C. albicans ATCC 10231 and LCR04 inhibiting 99.9% of C. albicans ATCC 60193. Both LF5 and LCR04 were found to inhibit G. vaginalis growth, with an inhibition zone of 7.25mm. In addition, separate research found that LF5 was able to protect vaginal cells against the damaging effects of C. albicans infection by increasing cellular viability and decreasing cellular damage in the presence of C. albicans.10
A broad solution for women’s health
Part of the company’s research involves working to better understand the broader mechanism behind LF5 and how it is able to support vaginal wellness. One example of this was carried out in the previously mentioned study on LF5, by conducting bioinformatics investigations into how LF5 interacts with the expression of genes related to women’s health. The research found that LF5 is related to three key elements of women’s health:
- Biofilm formation, which is essential for pathogen inhibition and creating a stable microbial community in the vaginal environment
- Quorum sensing, a process that regulates biofilm development and pathogen defence, further supporting vaginal health by fostering a resilient microbiome
- Glycogen metabolism, which is closely linked to acidification of vaginal environment, supporting vaginal health by ensuring a favourable environment for reproductive health
At Probiotical, conducting the research to deepen knowledge of probiotics is crucial to improving women’s health worldwide. A better understanding of one strain of probiotics is important but the work does not end there. Probiotical holds many different strains and blends in its portfolio, both as raw material and finished products, in addition to a range of market-ready formulations and tailored probiotics. As a science-focused company, this means carrying out studies that will better inform how to help women’s health across a deep portfolio of probiotic products.
Beyond aiding the treatment of VVC, probiotics also hold the potential to treat other important areas of women’s health. In psychiatric health, there are certain mental disorders more common in women, such as depression and anxiety, which are associated with lower levels of Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium.11 A blend of probiotics could help alleviate these conditions by addressing the lack of such bacteria in people diagnosed with these conditions. There are clinical studies that support the potential for Probiotical’s expert blend of probiotics (L. plantarum LP01, L. rhamnosus LR06, B. longum 04, and L. fermentum LF16) to support healthy sleep, improved mood, as well increased alertness and calmness, among other benefits – all associated with improvements to mental health conditions.12
Another area where probiotics can help is in nutrient deficiencies. Women have higher requirements for certain micronutrients, such as iron and calcium, which can make it more likely for them to suffer from deficiencies.13 Research has shown that supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 was able to change the mineral balance of young women, particularly to promote higher levels of calcium, magnesium, and iron.14
Probiotical research has also looked into the bioremediation capabilities of a range probiotics within its portfolio (L. plantarum LP01, LP02, LP14 strains, and LCR04) against heavy metals and biogenic amines.15 The results found a degree of uptake of several heavy metal observed across the probiotics, including the ability to help eliminate cadmium, mercury and lead. In addition, the probiotic strains were able to detoxify biogenic amines, with LP01, LP02, and LP14 all active against tryptamine, spermidine and spermine. As a result, the probiotics could be particularly useful for women in supporting reproductive health, fertility, and overall wellbeing.
A complete partner
As research continues to discover the healthy-promoting benefits of probiotics and consumers become more knowledgeable, the growth rate of the global probiotics market is expected to accelerate rapidly.16
For companies looking to engage with the market, Probiotical is a full-service company that takes care of every step along the way to developing a probiotic product – from R&D to manufacturing to regulatory affairs to the marketing of a product, and more. The end result is a cohesive effort to put forward a probiotic product that is ready to tackle many of the health issues that women are facing today.
The opportunity is not just to help tackle one health issue but to provide a solution to the concerns that can vary at different stages of life, with Probiotical able to provide a tailored product depending on specific health needs. In this way, women can enjoy healthier lives, with greater wellbeing.
References
1. Transparency Market Research. Women’s Health Market.
2. Ling-Ying, Wu.; et al. (2024). The role of probiotics in women's health: An update narrative review. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 63, Issue 1, Pages 29-36, ISSN 1028-4559.
3. Mayo clinic. Yeast infection (vaginal).
4. Denning, D.W.; et al. (2018). Global burden of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a systematic review. Lancet Infect Dis. 18(11):e339-e347.
5. Vitiello, A.; et al. Antifungal Drug Resistance: An Emergent Health Threat. Biomedicines. 2023 Mar 31;11(4):1063.
6. Liu, P.; et al. (2023). Use of probiotic lactobacilli in the treatment of vaginal infections: In vitro and in vivo investigations. Frontiers. Vol. 13.
7. Pane, M.; et al. (2024). Efficacy of Limosilactobacillus fermentum in the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis: comparative analysis with topical miconazole in a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Front. Microbiol. Sec. Infectious Agents and Disease.
8. Deidda, FBS.; et al. (2016). In Vitro Activity of Lactobacillus fermentum LF5 Against Different Candida Species and Gardnerella vaginalis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 50():p S168-S170.
9. Morazzoni.; et al. (2023). Probiotics and Vaginal Health: A Potential Strategy Against Vaginal Infections. Poster from the 14th International Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria, held in Egmond aan Zee NL, 27-31.
10. Visciglia, A.; et al. (2023). Characterization of Lactobacillus-Strains for Vaginal Women’s Health. Poster from the 14th International Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria, held in Egmond aan Zee.
11. Mental Health Information. Women and Mental Health.
12. Probiotical. BL04 + LF16 + LP01™ + LR06 (BIFIZEN).
13. Rapacioli, S.; et al. (2021). Innovative Perspectives on the detoxifying effects of lactobacillus probiotic strains. Poster from the 12th Probiotics, Prebiotics & New Foods, Nutraceutical and Botanicals for Nutrition & Human and Microbiota Health.
14. Fayet-Moore, F.; et al. (2014). Micronutrient status in female university students: iron, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin B12 and folate. Nutrients. 13;6(11):5103-16.
15. Czajeczny, D.; et al. (2021). Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 supplementation may change the mineral balance in healthy young women. Journal of Elementology. 26(4):849-859.
16. Grand View Research. Probiotics Market Size & Trends.
