We can all agree there are some fundamental differences between women's and men's health needs, right?

Case in point: probiotics.

We know, we know, you hadn’t really thought of that.

Across the board, we all can benefit from “good” bacteria to help support gut health, digestion, and mental well-being, to name a few perks. But for women, the right probiotics come with an even longer roster of benefits.

According to MindbodyGreen, women tend to be affected by digestive issues more than men, so striving to keep your gut balanced and happy will help mitigate digestive distress.

According to Jessica Cording, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers, probiotics can do a lot more that help you stay regular. During a Prevention Magazine interview she had this to say about probiotics’ ability to positively impact women’s health.

“Probiotics can be beneficial for a number of things that are applicable to women’s health,” Ms. Cording says. She explains that digestive regularity is a big reason people take probiotics, but probiotics can also help reduce bloating – a common issue women experience.

What’s more, probiotics can support women’s immune system and vaginal health, Ms. Cording adds.

Let’s take a closer look at the unique health needs of women and how probiotics can help deliver a natural solution.

Vaginal Health

Studies have shown that some strains of Lactobacilli, can be beneficial in preventing vaginal infections. In an interview with Livescience.com, dietician and gut health specialist explains why she recommends oral probiotics to women.

“Probiotics are particularly good for vaginal health as they keep the balance of the vaginal microbiome which can be susceptible to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and urogenital infections,” she says.

“There are specific strains that have been researched and used in this area with great beneficial effects.”

Research suggests that taking probiotics containing L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus GR-1, and L. fermentum inhibits bacterial growth associated with vaginosis, reducing the risk of vaginal infections.

Women and Stress

Stress can contribute to digestive discomfort, and women are especially hard hit.

A survey by the American Psychological Association discovered that women were more likely to experience physical and emotional symptoms related to stress, and (yup) that includes stomach upset and indigestion.

According to Harvard Health, the digestive system has its own nervous system, which scientists have dubbed the enteric nervous system. It consists of approximately 100 million nerve cells in and around the GI tract. It's so essential that some call it the "small brain" of the gut.

So how does this gut-brain connection work? Much like your brain, your GI tract depends on specific types of neurons and neurotransmitters to complete specific functions, as well as maintain communication with the central nervous system.

This close interconnectedness may explain why stress can trigger or exacerbate GI distress and vice versa. This back-and-forth dialog between the gut and the brain can create a vicious cycle. No doubt, experiencing digestive upsets can make you even more stressed. And stressful day after stressful day can lead to gastrointestinal issues—or worsen existing issues, and more.

The take-home message here? Take stress management and self-care seriously! Probiotics and prebiotics have been shown to help reduce cortisol (fight or flight) levels.

Finding Your Probiotic Sweet Spot

Obviously, women can also benefit from probiotics’ other perks, including immunity, skin health, and even cardiovascular support. If you’re on the hunt for a women’s specific probiotic, Zenwise has got you covered.

Our probiotic-powered dietary supplements all start with Reliably Alive DE111 (Bacillus subtilis). DE111 promotes digestive health and a healthy GI tract and supports regularity while also aiding against occasional constipation or diarrhea.

What’s more, scientists tested it in-vitro and found that it supports a healthy yeast population and promotes urinary tract health.

Zenwise offers AVA-Certified Vegetarian, Women's Probiotics featuring 1 billion CFUs of clinically proven DE111 probiotics to support regularity and digestive health.

While you're at it, check out our new Women's Health line of Probiotics for products that contain up to 35 billion CFUs of our Women’s health Probiotic Blend.

Still wondering which probiotic product checks all of your boxes? Our Customer Service Team can’t wait to help! We’re available to answer your questions seven days a week at support@zenwise.com or M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 940-1972.

 

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.

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31299136/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24299970/
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2010/gender-stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25449699/