The vaginal microbiome is the community of microorganisms naturally present in the vaginal tract. In a healthy state, it is primarily composed of Lactobacillus species that produce lactic acid, helping maintain the vaginal environment. This Lactobacillus-dominant state is associated with vaginal flora health and overall comfort. Understanding what supports and what disrupts the vaginal microbiome is the starting point for making informed decisions about vaginal health.

Antibiotics are among the most well-documented factors affecting vaginal microbiome health because they can affect both beneficial and harmful bacteria. Hormonal changes, including menstrual cycle fluctuations, perimenopause, and pregnancy, can also shift the Lactobacillus-dominant state. Certain hygiene practices, such as douching, are also associated with disruption. Recognizing these factors helps explain why consistent, daily support for vaginal flora health is relevant to a broad range of women.

The gut-vagina axis is the biological connection through which specific oral probiotic strains can support vaginal health after surviving transit through the digestive system. Not all probiotic strains have this capacity; it is strain-specific. GR-1™ was isolated from the distal urethra of a healthy woman in 1980, and RC-14™ from the vagina of a healthy woman in 1985; their origins and research base are both oriented toward the female urogenital environment.

GR-1™ and RC-14™ are the world’s most documented probiotics combination for women’s urogenital health. Their research history spans more than 20 years, covering 60+ scientific publications and more than 25 clinical trials on their health benefits, safety, and mechanism of action. Studies have included pregnant women and women with HIV, without any serious adverse events reported. There are other products on the market with these two strains; they are not exclusive to Bio-K+.

Bio-K+ Women’s Health Capsules are for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older. Take one oral capsule 1 to 2 times per day, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. The product delivers 2 billion CFU of GR-1™ and RC-14™ per capsule, guaranteed until the expiration date. No refrigeration is required. The capsules are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and titanium dioxide-free.