Oral probiotic supports vaginal health and microbiota stability, study shows

New clinical trial results reveal that the probiotic strain Lactobacillus gasseri KABP 064 (CECT 30648), developed by AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics, may colonize the vaginal tract and support microbiota balance following oral administration. Secondary findings revealed a reduction in non-lactobacilli genera and a shift toward Lactobacilli-dominated “vaginotypes” in the probiotic group.

According to the researchers, these changes were not observed in the placebo group. Although all participants were healthy and asymptomatic, some had baseline microbiota compositions associated with increased risk of imbalance. The findings suggest the strain may support the restoration and maintenance of a stable vaginal microbiome.

“A healthy vaginal ecosystem is crucial for supporting women’s urogenital health, which can significantly impact women’s day-to-day lives,” explains study lead author Marta Pérez, the R&D manager at AB-Biotics.

“The administration of probiotics via vaginal tablets or creams has demonstrated efficacy in reducing infection recurrence; however, oral probiotics for vaginal health remain relatively understudied, despite their many advantages, including patient experience and compliance.”

“Probiotic strains for oral consumption must withstand the harsh and diverse environments of the oral-gut-vaginal route. This study aimed to identify strains of vaginal lactobacilli that can resist gastrointestinal conditions and colonize the vaginal tract to support a balanced microbiota.”

Vaginal microbiome support

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed 46 healthy premenopausal women aged 18–45 over an 18-day period. Participants took one capsule daily containing either L. gasseri KABP 064, a combination of L. gasseri and L. crispatus CECT 30647, or a placebo. 

Vaginal swabs showed that L. gasseri KABP 064 was detected in 55.9% of the probiotic group compared to 8.3% in the placebo group, a statistically significant difference.

The strain was detected in the vaginal tract as early as day three and peaked on day six. L. crispatus CECT 30647 was not detected at any point during the trial, and the two active groups were combined for further analysis.

In vitro screening prior to the trial showed L. gasseri KABP 064 and L. crispatus strains had strong tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal and vaginal conditions and broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against urogenital bacteria and yeast.

“The findings of this research position L. gasseri KABP 064 probiotic strain, marketed as Gyntima Balance outside of the US, as a promising probiotic for promoting vaginal health,” Pérez concludes.

“Together with the inhibitory activity demonstrated in vitro, the potential of L. gasseri KABP 064 to colonize and restore the vaginal environment suggests it could effectively support women’s intimate health by reducing the impacts of vaginal microbiome imbalance.”