Probiotics for Vaginal Health: Are They Really Good for You?

When it comes to vaginal health, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone’s vaginal microbiome is unique, meaning that what works for some people might not be right for you. And nothing is more frustrating than spending money on a product that either does nothing for your symptoms, or even makes them worse. 

Probiotics are often marketed as a cure-all for everything from digestion to skincare and even vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infections. So, if you’ve ever wondered whether a probiotic could be the fix for vaginal symptoms like unusual discharge, odor, or discomfort—you’re not alone.

But how exactly do probiotics support vaginal health? And which ones actually work? We rounded up the available research to dig into the nuance of probiotics, including which strains are designed to support vaginal health and who might benefit from using them.   

What are vaginal probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms, typically bacteria, that can be consumed or applied to your body’s microbiome health (as food, a pill, or a suppository). Vaginal probiotics are supplements specifically formulated to help support the vaginal microbiome and are often sold as oral capsules or vaginal suppositories.

You may have heard that probiotics can be beneficial for your gut health. It’s important to note that probiotics designed for the gut have different strains of bacteria than those meant to support vaginal health. The most common strains of bacteria found in “women’s health” focused probiotics belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. These are some of the same species of bacteria also naturally found in fermented foods (think yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, etc.).  

There are also “prebiotics,” which are non-living compounds that serve as a food source for your body’s beneficial bacteria. Some products are synbiotics, combining both prebiotics and probiotics for added benefit.

How do probiotics help vaginal health?

Your vagina has a unique microbiome –– a complex ecosystem of organisms (some good, some not as much), including bacteria and fungi. It’s constantly evolving in response to factors like sex, menstruation, hormone levels, medications (especially antibiotics), and stress. In a healthy state, the vagina is dominated by protective bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus species (plural: lactobacilli), which help maintain a low (acidic) pH that discourages the growth of harmful microbes. When that balance is disrupted, a condition known as vaginal dysbiosis can occur. 

Probiotics work by promoting the growth of protective bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, in the vaginal microbiome, which helps restore and maintain an important balance in several ways: 

• Colonization: Lactobacilli can physically attach themselves to the surfaces in your vagina, taking up space so that less-desirable microbes can't live there too. 
• pH regulation: Lactobacilli produce lactic acid and keeps the vaginal pH acidic. The acidic environment keeps out some less desirable microbes since they prefer neutral surroundings. 
• Antimicrobial activity: Certain lactobacilli can also produce bacteriocins which are molecules that can inhibit or kill harmful bacteria or yeast nearby. 

Lactobacillus bacteria are the local heroes of your vaginal microbiome, and probiotics may help to promote them so they can do their thing. Interestingly, some preliminary research also suggests that probiotics can also improve the vaginal flora in trans women with neo-vaginas.

What probiotics are good for vaginal health?

Research on the vaginal microbiome has grown significantly in recent years, and with it, interest in how probiotics can support vaginal health. While many people are familiar with probiotics for gut health — whether through supplements or fermented foods — there’s now a growing body of research exploring how certain strains taken either orally or vaginally may also benefit the vaginal and urinary microbiomes.

Not all probiotics are created equal—and when it comes to supporting your vaginal health, the specific strains of bacteria matter more than you might think. The vaginal microbiome is home to millions (if not more) type of bacteria, and researchers are just now discovering which ones can be most beneficial when taken in the form of a supplement. 

Let’s break down a few of the most studied and promising strains: 

Research suggests that keeping up with the right probiotics can help maintain your protective vaginal microbiome and boost your overall health. Specifically, taking probiotics containing Lactobacillus strains like Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus crispatus can support both gut and vaginal health.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus Reuteri RC-14®

These two strains have been studied extensively in combination and are among the most clinically validated for supporting vaginal and urinary tract health. When taken orally, they’ve been shown to reach the vaginal microbiome and help rebalance it—especially after antibiotics or during times of imbalance like recurrent BV or yeast infections. Together, they support the restoration of protective lactobacilli and help maintain healthy pH and support yeast balance over time.

Lactobacillus crispatus

This strain is a powerhouse when it comes to vaginal health. In fact, it’s one of the most common dominant species found in healthy vaginal microbiomes. L. crispatus plays a key role in maintaining a low, protective pH by producing high levels of lactic acid. A microbiome rich in L. crispatus has been associated with lower rates of BV and yeast infections, and higher resilience to disturbances like sex or menstruation. Including this strain in a probiotic may be especially helpful for people who frequently experience disruptions in their vaginal microbiome.

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Though it’s more commonly associated with gut health, L. acidophilus can still play a supportive role in maintaining yeast balance and overall microbial harmony. It’s often included in broad-spectrum probiotics because of its long-standing use and digestive benefits, which may indirectly support vaginal health via the gut-vagina axis.

There’s growing scientific interest in the connection between the gut, vaginal, and urinary microbiomes. These systems are linked through complex microbial, hormonal, and immune pathways—meaning that what happens in one can influence the others. Supporting the gut with the right probiotic strains may have benefits that go beyond digestion, including promoting balance in the vaginal and urinary tracts.

While more research is needed to fully understand the gut-vagina axis, emerging studies suggest that the gut microbiome can impact vaginal health by influencing systemic inflammation and estrogen metabolism. For example, certain gut bacteria are involved in processing estrogen, which in turn plays a key role in maintaining a healthy vaginal environment. Additionally, higher levels of beneficial Lactobacillus in the gut have been associated with higher levels of Lactobacillus in the vagina—creating a synergistic effect.

The best vaginal probiotics are those formulated with clinically tested strains at therapeutic doses—ideally supported by real-world data and expertise in microbiome science. Ultimately, a probiotic can only be as effective as its design. Choosing one backed by science, with the right strains and delivery method, like Evvy Women’s Complete Probiotic, makes all the difference in supporting your vaginal, urinary, and gut health.

When should I consider using vaginal probiotics?

Evidence suggests that probiotics may be particularly useful in a few specific situations:   

1. After taking antibiotics: If you take antibiotics (orally or vaginally), it’s possible that the antibiotic can mess with your vaginal ecosystem. While antibiotics are excellent for clearing out vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections, they can kill both bad and good bacteria. Probiotics may help restore balance post treatment. 
2. If you have BV: If you’re dealing with chronic bacterial vaginosis, probiotics may be a good thing to work into your routine. A clinical study from 2010 showed that after oral antibiotics, once-a-week vaginal treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus for six months helped keep BV symptoms from returning for one year. Another 2010 study also saw that just five days of treatment with a vaginal probiotic after antibiotic treatment helped keep BV symptoms away longer. While more clinical trials are needed, the research currently suggests that lactobacilli-containing vaginal probiotics have promise for preventing BV in conjunction with traditional antibiotic treatment. It’s something worth asking your gyno about if you are struggling with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. 
3. Chronic or recurrent yeast infections: Some probiotics may help maintain yeast balance and support pH stability, especially during common trigger periods like menstruation or after sex.
4. Proactive maintenance: Even without active symptoms, many people choose to take probiotics during times of stress, hormonal shifts, or other life stages that may impact the vaginal microbiome (e.g., menopause, fertility treatments).

That said, your vagina is naturally self-regulating — that's precisely what the vaginal microbiome is there for. For many people, probiotics may not be necessary unless there’s a history of imbalance or high-risk factors. Everyone's vaginal environment is unique, so treatment and prevention should be designed with your provider and tailored to your specific needs. 

When should I not take probiotics? 

Even though probiotics can be a great addition to your vaginal health toolkit, they aren’t necessarily suitable for everyone. If you already have a high amount of vaginal lactobacilli, then adding more may actually cause irritation. In the world of microbiomes, you can have too much of a good thing. 

People who have been diagnosed with cytolytic vaginosis (CV) should also stay clear of probiotics. CV is caused by an overgrowth of lactobacilli and symptoms often mimic those of BV or yeast infections like burning and excessive discharge. The treatment involves reducing lactobacilli, not increasing them and since probiotics do the opposite, it’s best to stay away. 

This is why we recommend first understanding your unique vaginal microbiome. Evvy’s Vaginal Microbiome Test can help assess your current microbial composition, including Lactobacillus levels, before starting any probiotic regimen.

Does Evvy recommend probiotics? And if so, which ones?

We believe that personalized care starts with understanding your unique microbiome. That’s why we always recommend speaking with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including probiotics. Taking an Evvy test is also a helpful first step in assessing the current state of your vaginal microbiome. Based on your results, you can determine if a probiotic is right for you.

If your results suggest they could help, Evvy Women’s Complete Probiotic is a great option. It’s formulated with clinically validated doses of key probiotic strains to support the vaginal, urinary, and gut microbiomes. We picked each strain after diving into thousands of scientific papers and using insights from Evvy’s unique vaginal microbiome dataset, which is the largest of its kind. 

One of the highlights is the UREX® blend, featuring Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®. These powerful strains are great for women’s health, helping to maintain a healthy vaginal and urinary microbiome while keeping yeast balanced and promoting your overall comfort. We’ve also included Lactobacillus crispatus (LBV88), which works to keep your vaginal environment balanced, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (ProbioTec® LA-5®), which supports digestive comfort and supports yeast balance. Plus, Lactobacillus plantarum (UALp-05) helps boost gut diversity, aids digestion, strengthens the intestinal barrier, and supports your immune function.

All these friendly probiotic strains are combined with advanced postbiotics to help maintain resilience in your vaginal, urinary, and gut systems. 

FAQs

What do vaginal probiotics do? 

Emerging research suggests that probiotics may support the growth of beneficial bacteria, primarily Lactobacilli, in the vaginal microbiome. These bacteria help restore a healthy pH and may reduce the risk of infections or discomfort caused by dysbiosis.

Will vaginal probiotics cure BV? 

There’s no evidence that probiotics are effective for treating BV. Antibiotics are the only proven treatment for BV. However, clinical studies show certain probiotic strains (Lactobacilli), when used alongside antibiotics, may reduce the chance of BV coming back(which it has a habit of doing). That said, it’s still an emerging area of research.

Fact check: can putting yogurt in your vagina help vaginal health?

No. Yogurt contains sugars that can feed harmful microbes, and most commercial yogurts don’t contain the right probiotic strains in effective doses. Most store-bought yogurts also don’t have a measurable amount of lactobacilli. Just remember: nothing should go into your vagina that was not designed specifically for that purpose!