Probiotics for women represent a rapidly growing category in the dietary supplement market. This article explores why women-specific probiotics are essential, the health benefits they offer, and the unique challenges in formulating these products. Additionally, it highlights the importance of partnering with a probiotic supplement manufacturing company experienced in developing high-quality nutraceutical products for women.
Why Are Women-Specific Probiotics Necessary?
Humans have numerous symbiotic microorganisms (e.g., beneficial bacteria or probiotics) in their bodies, most of which are present in the gut. Although there is extensive research on gut microbiota, there are various factors which impact the profile of the friendly bacteria present. Sex is one of the factors affecting the gut microbiota (although more research needs to be done to provide definitive results). In addition, unlike men, women also have a community of vaginal microorganisms to consider.1Kim YS, Unno T, Kim BY, Park MS. Sex Differences in Gut Microbiota. World J Mens Health. 2020 Jan;38(1):48-60. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.190009. Epub 2019 Mar 25. PMID: 30929328; PMCID: PMC6920072.
Interestingly, research has shown that the number of friendly bacteria is different between men and women. Men have about 38 trillion while women have about 44 trillion2Sender R, Fuchs S, Milo R. Revised estimates for the number of human and bacteria cells in the body. PLoS Biol. 2016;14:e1002533. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533.. Furthermore, in a USA study conducted on a mainly Caucasian population, the gut microbiota of women was characterized by a lower abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes3Dominianni C, Sinha R, Goedert JJ, Pei Z, Yang L, Hayes RB, et al. Sex, body mass index, and dietary fiber intake influence the human gut microbiome. PLoS One. 2015;10:e0124599. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124599.. In an Italian study, mucosa-associated microbiota in females showed a higher abundance of Actinobacteria, Lactobacillales, Streptococcaceae, and Bifidobacterium and less Veillonellaceae4Borgo F, Garbossa S, Riva A, Severgnini M, Luigiano C, Benetti A, et al. Body mass index and sex affect diverse microbial niches within the gut. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:213. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00213..
One of the reasons for the microbiota sex differences may have to do with hormones. First, sex differences in gut microbiota do not appear until puberty5Yurkovetskiy L, Burrows M, Khan AA, Graham L, Volchkov P, Becker L, et al. Gender bias in autoimmunity is influenced by microbiota. Immunity. 2013;39:400–412. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.08.013. 6Markle JG, Frank DN, Mortin-Toth S, Robertson CE, Feazel LM, Rolle-Kampczyk U, et al. Sex differences in the gut microbiome drive hormone-dependent regulation of autoimmunity. Science. 2013;339:1084–1088. doi: 10.1126/science.1233521.. Furthermore, in research on mice, when androgen hormones were removed via castration, the gut microbiota of the castrated male was similar to that of a female mouse rather than a male mouse7Org E, Mehrabian M, Parks BW, Shipkova P, Liu X, Drake TA, et al. Sex differences and hormonal effects on gut microbiota composition in mice. Gut Microbes. 2016;7:313–322. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2016.1203502.. Several studies have also suggested the interaction between estrogen and gut microbiota8Org E, Mehrabian M, Parks BW, Shipkova P, Liu X, Drake TA, et al. Sex differences and hormonal effects on gut microbiota composition in mice. Gut Microbes. 2016;7:313–322. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2016.1203502. 9Cox-York KA, Sheflin AM, Foster MT, Gentile CL, Kahl A, Koch LG, et al. Ovariectomy results in differential shifts in gut microbiota in low versus high aerobic capacity rats. Physiol Rep. 2015;3:e12488. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12488..
These differences are evident in the higher prevalence of bowel issues among women compared to men10Kim YS, Kim N. Sex-gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;24:544–558. doi: 10.5056/jnm18082.. Additionally, gut microbiota may contribute to men’s tendency to lose weight more easily than women11Fransen F, van Beek AA, Borghuis T, Meijer B, Hugenholtz F, van der Gaast-de Jongh C, et al. The impact of gut microbiota on gender-specific differences in immunity. Front Immunol. 2017;8:754. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00754..
What does this all mean? Simply put, women have unique probiotic needs compared to men. Therefore, supplement business owners should focus on addressing these needs and meeting the growing demand for high-quality, health concern-specific products tailored to women.
Understanding The Benefits Of Probiotics For Women
So, what do probiotics do for women? Depending upon the probiotic being used, various species and strains can offer a range of health benefits. These include benefits for:
- Maintaining Vaginal Health: In otherwise healthy women, several kinds of vaginal microbiota exist, the majority often dominated by species of Lactobacillus. Lactobacilli and other fermentative bacteria help with acidifying the vaginal environment, enhancing its ability to resist certain infections. Clinical trials have demonstrated that specific strains of L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus can survive passage through the digestive system and effectively colonize vaginal cells12De Alberti D, Russo R, Terruzzi F, Nobile V, Ouwehand AC. Lactobacilli vaginal colonisation after oral consumption of Respecta(®) complex: a randomised controlled pilot study. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015 Oct;292(4):861-7..
- Promoting Urinary Tract Health: Laboratory research13Leccese Terraf MC, Juarez Tomás MS, Rault L, Le Loir Y, Even S, Nader-Macías MEF. In vitro effect of vaginal lactobacilli on the growth and adhesion abilities of uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Arch Microbiol. 2017 Jul;199(5):767-774. suggests that Lactobacilli may be able to promote a healthy urinary tract; including L. reuteri strains14Ng QX, Peters C, Venkatanarayanan N, Goh YY, Ho CYX, Yeo WS. Use of Lactobacillus spp. to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in females. Med Hypotheses. 2018;114:49-54. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2018.03.001. Interestingly, Lactobacillus crispatus was only found in the urinary microbiota of healthy women15Gottschick C, Deng ZL, Vital M, Masur C, Abels C, Pieper DH, Wagner-Döbler I. The urinary microbiota of men and women and its changes in women during bacterial vaginosis and antibiotic treatment. Microbiome. 2017 Aug 14;5(1):99.. Probiotics can be beneficial after completing a course of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. Since antibiotics may eliminate harmful and beneficial bacteria, supplementing with probiotics may help restore the balance of friendly bacteria in the body.
- Supporting Digestive Health: In addition, there are probiotics for women’s gut health. Some probiotics, including those in the Bacillus genus, may help reduce intestinal gas after a meal16Kalman DS, Schwartz HI, Alvarez P, Feldman S, Pezzullo JC, Krieger DR. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group dual site trial to evaluate the effects of a Bacillus coagulans-based product on functional intestinal gas symptoms. BMC Gastroenterol. 2009 Nov 18;9:85. and support a healthy bowel movement17Freedman KE, Hill JL, Wei Y, et al. Examining the Gastrointestinal and Immunomodulatory Effects of the Novel Probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 28;22(5):2453..
- Boosting Immune System: Certain probiotic species support a healthy immune system by creating a microbial barrier within the intestine. Specifically, they produce antimicrobial substances that are effective against many harmful foreign invaders.18Lievin V, Peiffer I, Hudault S, et al. Bifidobacterium strains from resident infant human gastrointestinal microflora exert antimicrobial activity. Gut 2000;47:646-52. 19Freedman KE, Hill JL, Wei Y, et al. Examining the Gastrointestinal and Immunomodulatory Effects of the Novel Probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 28;22(5):2453. 20Rastall RA. Bacteria in the gut: friends and foes and how to alter the balance. J Nutr 2004;134:2022S-2026S.
- Aiding Weight Management: Are there probiotics for women’s weight loss? Yes, certain probiotics, like Akkermansia muciniphila, have been shown to support metabolic health. This strain activates GLP-1-inducing protein, which may help reduce body weight and decrease hip and waist size.21Depommier C, Everard A, Druart C, Plovier H, Van Hul M, Vieira-Silva S et al (2019) Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study. Nat Med 25(7):1096–1103..
Women’s Probiotic Supplement Market: A Growing Trend
According to Future Market Insights, the estimated value of the women’s probiotic market was $1.57 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $2.99 billion by 2034 with an impressive CAGR of 18.10%22Women Probiotic Market Outlook. Future Market Insights Inc. Retrieved November 19, 2024 from https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/women-probiotic-market#:~:text=The%20global%20women’s%20probiotic%20market,USD%202991%20million%20by%202034..
Growth Drivers In The Women’s Probiotics Market
The growth of the women’s probiotics market is driven by changing lifestyles, including high stress and poor dietary habits, which prompt women to seek probiotics for gut health support. Increased consumer awareness about the connection between gut health and overall well-being is a key factor in this expansion. Additionally, women are becoming more focused on maintaining their digestive and immune health, fueling demand for customized probiotic formulations. Innovative products tailored to address specific feminine health concerns are also drawing women toward personalized solutions, further driving market growth23Women Probiotic Market Outlook. Future Market Insights Inc. Retrieved November 19, 2024 from https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/women-probiotic-market#:~:text=The%20global%20women’s%20probiotic%20market,USD%202991%20million%20by%202034..
Probiotic Delivery Forms
There are a few different delivery formats for probiotic supplements. These include
- Capsules: Easy to swallow, versatile, and are extremely popular among consumers.
- Powders: Conveniently mixable into drinks or yogurt, though they may require precise dosing. Stick packs offer an excellent on-the-go solution for busy consumers.
- Chewable tablets, lozenges or gummies: Appealing to individuals who struggle with swallowing pills or experience “pill fatigue,” offering a convenient and enjoyable alternative.
Stability And Storage: Chewable Tablets Vs. Gummies
When comparing chewable tablets vs. gummies, chewable tablets offer clear advantages in stability and storage. Gummies made with gelatin can melt at temperatures above 90°F and may re-solidify into a single sticky mass when cooled, making them difficult to consume. Heat exposure can also degrade the active ingredients in gummies, reducing their effectiveness and accelerating probiotic potency loss.
Chewable tablets, on the other hand, are far more stable. The direct compression method used in their production eliminates wetting and drying steps, reducing adverse effects and increasing probiotic stability. This makes chewable tablets a more reliable option for maintaining potency, even in challenging storage conditions.
Challenges In Developing Probiotics For Women
As with the development of probiotic products in general, developing probiotic products for women comes with its own challenges.
- Identifying the correct strains: As mentioned earlier, selecting the right probiotic strain is crucial for achieving the desired benefits in your formulation. It’s essential to conduct thorough research to ensure you choose the most effective strains. Partnering with a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that has extensive probiotic experience can provide valuable guidance and help ensure you make the right choices.
- Enhancing stability and shelf life: Moisture (water) can activate probiotics, but without access to food, they will quickly die off24Protecting Probiotics from Moisture. Clinical Applications of Scientific Innovation. April 9, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2024 from https://www.casi.org/node/992#:~:text=At%20face%20value%2C%20this%20may,before%20they%20reach%20the%20gut.. This process should only occur once the probiotics reach the gut microbiome. However, some nutraceuticals with slightly high moisture content may cause this die-off when combined with probiotics in a supplement formula. It’s important to know which ingredients interact well with probiotics. Additionally, probiotics can be sensitive to pH and light, so it’s essential to collaborate with your CDMO to make informed decisions that ensure your product remains shelf-stable.
- Determining the appropriate dosage: Due to the sensitivity of probiotics, it’s crucial to determine the correct dosage for each strain, which may require including an overage to ensure potency over time. A knowledgeable CDMO can provide valuable assistance in determining the right dosage and formulation to maintain effectiveness.
- Meeting regulatory requirements: When labeling your probiotic supplement, be aware that regulations now require that you list the milligram amount of each strain, not just the CFU level. Likewise, you need to consider whether to denote that the CFUs are “at the time of manufacture” or if you are willing to guarantee the dose over the lifespan of the product.
- Educating consumers: Educating consumers about the benefits of women-specific probiotics and how they address unique health concerns is essential. However, it’s also important to ensure that the information provided remains within regulatory guidelines and does not make claims that could overstep legal boundaries.
Vitaquest’s Expertise In Contract Manufacturing Probiotics For Women
Vitaquest is a CDMO that has provided supplement brands with exceptional supplement research and development, manufacturing, packaging design, powder and particle engineering services using fluid bed, oscillation, and roller compaction technologies, and fulfillment solutions for over 45 years. Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or aiming to diversify your product range, Vitaquest possesses the expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and solutions needed to swiftly and effectively turn your women’s probiotic supplement concept into reality. Vitaquest offers a variety of dosage forms, including capsules, tablets, chewable tablets, oral disintegrating tablets (OTD), effervescents and powders. Furthermore, you’ll receive an exceptional level of customer support.
Vitaquest also has expertise in domestic and international regulatory standards, as well as sustainability practices. Sourcing sustainable ingredients and using eco-friendly manufacturing processes can enhance brand appeal. Our FDA cGMP compliance – as well as third-party GMP certification from NSF, USP and others – assures brand owners and consumers that we meet industry regulations and standards. Likewise, our ability to offer Kosher, Halal, and certified organic products, and FSSC 22000 certification for food safety are relevant certifications for manufacturing excellence.
Conclusion
This article provided an overview of probiotics for women as a growing dietary supplement category. It also helped you understand why women-specific probiotics are necessary and the health benefits of probiotics for women, as well as the challenges in developing these formulas and the need for a good probiotic manufacturing partner.
Are you ready to capitalize on the women’s probiotic supplement trends? If so, call 800-526-9095 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a nutraceutical manufacturing price quote if you’ve already finalized your project requirements!
Frequently Asked Questions About Probiotics for Women
Q: What kind of probiotic should I take as a woman?
There are many good probiotics to consider. Mostly, it depends on the types of benefits you hope to gain. If you’re looking to support vaginal health, specific strains of L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus are good choices. If you want to support urinary tract health, Lactobacillus crispatus is helpful. If you want to support digestive health, probiotics in the Bacillus genus work well.
Q: Should a woman take a probiotic daily?
Yes, it’s a good idea. Poor dietary choices and lifestyle factors can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, and daily probiotic supplementation can help restore balance while promoting overall gut, digestive, and immune health. However, it’s highly advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new dietary supplement regimen.
Q: Which probiotic helps with weight loss?
Research has demonstrated that a probiotic known as Akkermansium mucinipahila was able to help decrease body weight, as well as decrease hip and waist size.
