Compared
Vaginal probiotics
Almost every product in this category competes on a billions-of-CFU number that tells you nothing. The strain code, printed in small text on the back, is the only thing that matters.
The context.
A healthy vaginal microbiome is usually dominated by Lactobacillus species that keep the environment acidic. Bacterial vaginosis happens when that balance shifts, and recurrence after treatment is common enough to be genuinely demoralising.
That recurrence problem is where probiotics have their best case. Trials of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14, taken alongside standard antibiotic treatment, suggest reduced recurrence. Evidence for preventing thrush is weaker.
Everything below is compared on strain first. Where a product does not name its strains, we say so, because that absence is the most useful thing you can know about it.
Compared.
Ordered by what they contain, not by what they claim.
| Product | Key actives | Form | Price | Per day | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Nutrition Multi Strain BioticWild Nutrition | Multi-strain live bacteria | Capsule | £45.50 | £1.52 | Gut symptoms after antibiotics, Trialling for four to eight weeks |
| ARTAH Enhanced SynbioticARTAH | Live bacteria, Prebiotic fibre | Capsule | £39.00 | £1.30 | Gut symptoms after antibiotics, Trialling for four to eight weeks |
| Together Health MultibioticTogether Health | Fermented food cultures | Capsule | £20.95 | 70p | Gut symptoms after antibiotics, Trialling for four to eight weeks |
| Igennus Live Cultures+ Lab4 ProbioticsIgennus Healthcare Nutrition | Lab4 consortium, Prebiotic | Capsule | £20.95 | 70p | Gut symptoms after antibiotics, A structured four-week trial |
| Water-Based ProbioticSymprove | Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium | Liquid | £79/12-week course | £6.58 | IBS, Post-antibiotic gut, Hormonal skin flares |
Prices are the brand's UK list price at the time of writing and change often. Cost per day is calculated from pack size and the label's daily serving, and is shown only where both are published.
What to look for.
- Named strain codes
- GR-1, RC-14, and similar. 'Lactobacillus rhamnosus' with no code could be any of dozens of unrelated strains.
- The dose used in the study
- Usually 1 to 10 billion CFU. Matching the trial beats maximising the number.
- Storage requirements you can actually meet
- Some products need refrigeration for viability. If it will live in your handbag, buy a shelf-stable one.
What to ignore.
- The CFU arms race
- 50 billion of an unstudied strain is worse value than 2 billion of a studied one.
- 'Feminine balance' with no strains listed
- If they will not tell you what is in it, do not buy it.
- Douches and intimate washes
- These disrupt vaginal flora rather than supporting it, and are a common cause of recurrent symptoms.
The ingredients, one by one.
When a supplement is not the answer
Bacterial vaginosis, thrush and trichomoniasis feel similar and are treated completely differently. New discharge with an odour, bleeding between periods, pelvic pain, or symptoms after a new partner should be assessed, not self-treated. Sexual health clinics test and treat quickly and free. A probiotic is a reasonable addition after diagnosis, and a poor substitute for one.
Speak to a clinicianCommon questions.
Which probiotic strains work for vaginal health?
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 have the most supporting data, mainly for reducing bacterial vaginosis recurrence alongside standard treatment.
Do vaginal probiotics stop thrush?
The evidence is weaker for thrush than for bacterial vaginosis. Recurrent thrush needs proper assessment rather than repeated self-treatment.
Oral or vaginal probiotics?
Both routes have been studied for GR-1 and RC-14. Oral is easier to stick with and has reasonable supporting data.
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Food supplements are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. They should not replace a varied diet or prescribed treatment. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition, check with a pharmacist or clinician before starting anything on this page. We do not accept payment for inclusion or placement. Where a link earns us a commission we say so on the product page. Last reviewed 27 August 2026.