Question 1

What are friendly bacteria for women?

Accepted Answer

Friendly bacteria for women complement the vaginal flora, even when taken orally1. Normally the vagina contains Lactobacilli bacteria which produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. These substances help to keep the all-important pH balance in the vagina at an optimum pH of 4.5 (slightly acidic). Women's friendly bacteria supplements are for anyone who wants to top up their lactobacilli. Several strains, such as Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®, and Lactobacillus paracasei F-19®, survive to reach the vaginal flora and prefer to colonise there. They are regarded as specific vaginal friendly bacteria and can be found in the Optibac Probiotics For Women supplement.

Question 2

How do I choose the best friendly bacteria for women?

Accepted Answer

The best women’s live cultures supplements contain friendly bacteria specifically researched in women, with the same billions count used in supporting research studies. Optibac Probiotics For Women strains have been used in gold standard scientific trials 1,2,3 at the same strength of 2.5 billion live cultures per capsule daily.

Question 3

Are these supplements suitable to take daily and ongoing?

Accepted Answer

Most women feel more confident when taking vaginal live cultures daily, while some women take a seven-day intensive course as and when they feel like it. It's entirely down to individual preference. Optibac Probiotics For Women comes in three sizes: 7 days, 30 days, and 90 days, but is designed for long-term daily use. Take with food, ideally breakfast, when stomach acidity is closer to neutral.

Question 4

How long does it take for women’s live cultures to reach the vagina?

Accepted Answer

Taken orally, vaginal live cultures, such as those in Optibac Probiotics For Women, are proven to reach the vagina alive in 3-4 days and to colonise in the vaginal flora in one week. Once there, they increase the natural lactobacilli in the vagina, complementing the natural vaginal pH1,2.

Question 5

When is the best time to take friendly bacteria for women?

Accepted Answer

It’s best to take your women’s probiotic supplement at breakfast time, as this is when stomach acidity is at its most neutral. Taking it with food further helps to buffer the acid and assist the passage of the live cultures into the gut and on to the vagina. If you are intermittent fasting then simply take For Women with your first meal or snack of the day.

Question 6

Is For Women safe to take during pregnancy, with HRT, or other medications and supplements?

Accepted Answer

Optibac For Women friendly bacteria strains have also been researched in pregnancy; however, pregnant women may prefer to consider a supplement designed for pregnancy, such as Optibac Pregnancy, which contains live cultures specifically researched in pregnant women. Vaginal friendly bacteria supplements are also safe to alongside other supplements and medications, such as HRT and the oral contraceptive pill.

Question 7

Do the vaginal live cultures in For Women work for gut health too?

Accepted Answer

The live cultures in Optibac For Women prefer to live in the vaginal flora, but other friendly bacteria strains prefer to live in the gut. This is why many people choose to take a digestive supplement, such as Optibac Every Day, alongside their vaginal live cultures  so that they have all-round support for their gut and vaginal flora.

Question 8

How does Optibac For Women compare to other friendly bacteria supplements for the vagina?

Accepted Answer

Optibac For Women is a highly researched alternative to Wellgard and other similar brands. When comparing brands you should always check the ingredients list; high-quality supplements always list the full strain names of the bacteria, not just the species, enabling you to look at the supporting research. If looking for vaginal friendly bacteria alternatives to brands like SMART STRAINS®, Garden of Life and Pro-Ven it is always worth comparing the cost, recommended daily amount and customer reviews too.

Try For Women & get 14 days free

The world's most researched strains for the vagina

For Women

For Women

Intimate Flora For Women

No supplement gets more love than For Women

Loved & trusted by thousands of women

Friendly bacteria for women

Specifically designed for the vaginal microbiome

Contains strains natural to the vaginal & urinary tracts

Developed for quality not quantity

Multi-strain formula

Highly researched and scientifically proven

Easy-to-take, small oral capsule

Your top questions about Optibac For Women

Exploring women's friendly bacteria for the first time?

How we support women across the world

Friendly bacteria for women

Introducing friendly bacteria to your daily routine

Which is the best friendly bacteria supplement?

Friendly bacteria for expectant mothers

10% off when you join the Optibac family

For Women

For Women

Intimate Flora For Women

No supplement gets more love than For Women

Friendly bacteria for women

Specifically designed for the vaginal microbiome

Contains strains natural to the vaginal & urinary tracts

Developed for quality not quantity

Multi-strain formula

Highly researched and scientifically proven

Easy-to-take, small oral capsule

Exploring women's friendly bacteria for the first time?

How we support women across the world

Friendly bacteria for women

Introducing friendly bacteria to your daily routine

Which is the best friendly bacteria supplement?

Friendly bacteria for expectant mothers

Try For Women & get 14 days free

The world's most researched strains for the vagina

For Women

For Women

Intimate Flora For Women

No supplement gets more love than For Women

Loved & trusted by thousands of women

Friendly bacteria for women

Specifically designed for the vaginal microbiome

Contains strains natural to the vaginal & urinary tracts

Developed for quality not quantity

Multi-strain formula

Highly researched and scientifically proven

Easy-to-take, small oral capsule

Your top questions about Optibac For Women

What are friendly bacteria for women?

How do I choose the best friendly bacteria for women?

Are these supplements suitable to take daily and ongoing?

How long does it take for women’s live cultures to reach the vagina?

When is the best time to take friendly bacteria for women?

Is For Women safe to take during pregnancy, with HRT, or other medications and supplements?

Do the vaginal live cultures in For Women work for gut health too?

How does Optibac For Women compare to other friendly bacteria supplements for the vagina?

Exploring women's friendly bacteria for the first time?

How we support women across the world

Friendly bacteria for women

Introducing friendly bacteria to your daily routine

Which is the best friendly bacteria supplement?

Friendly bacteria for expectant mothers

10% off when you join the Optibac family

For Women

For Women

Intimate Flora For Women

No supplement gets more love than For Women

Friendly bacteria for women

Specifically designed for the vaginal microbiome

Contains strains natural to the vaginal & urinary tracts

Developed for quality not quantity

Multi-strain formula

Highly researched and scientifically proven

Easy-to-take, small oral capsule

Exploring women's friendly bacteria for the first time?

How we support women across the world

Friendly bacteria for women

Introducing friendly bacteria to your daily routine

Which is the best friendly bacteria supplement?

Friendly bacteria for expectant mothers

Legal information