Do I need vaginal probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms that, ideally, provide health advantages regardless of where in the body they are used. There are pills and powders that can be taken by mouth and suppository capsules that are injected into the vagina that contain these microorganisms.

We are led to assume by advertisements that vaginal probiotics, like douches, will somehow improve our health or make us feel "cleaner." Some ads say that these products help prevent or treat things like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections.


In actuality, the vagina regulates its own complex mixture of naturally occurring bacteria and other organisms quite well. Therefore, vaginal probiotics are unnecessary. Instead of rushing to the pharmacy for probiotics if you experience unusual vaginal symptoms, talk to your doctor.

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