Lactobacillus Crispatus (L. crispatus) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found naturally in the human body. It's also found in fermented foods.
"Good" bacteria such as L. crispatus might help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. These bacteria are sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and also found in dietary supplements.
People use L. crispatus for overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis), infertility, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confuse L. crispatus with other Probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that the Lactobacillus genus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Many species were reclassified at this time, but L. crispatus remains in the Lactobacillus genus. Its name did not change.
- Overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. L. crispatus suppositories and vaginal capsules might help prevent this condition in people with recurring symptoms. But it's not clear if taking L. crispatus by mouth helps.
There is interest in using L. crispatus for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: L. crispatus is possibly safe for most people. L. crispatus has been used safely in doses of up to 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily for up to 12 months. It seems to be well-tolerated.
When applied to the vagina: L. crispatus is possibly safe. It's been used safely in doses of up to 2 billion CFUs daily for 5 days or twice weekly for 10 weeks.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. crispatus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there are no reasons to expect safety concerns when used appropriately.
Children: There isn't enough reliable information to know if L. crispatus is safe for children, including very small premature infants.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Antibiotic drugs interacts with LACTOBACILLUS CRISPATUS
L. crispatus is a type of friendly bacteria. Antibiotics are used to reduce harmful bacteria in the body. Taking antibiotics along with L. crispatus can reduce the effects of L. crispatus. To avoid this interaction, take L. crispatus products at least 2 hours before or after antibiotics.
Dosing
In adults, L. crispatus has been taken by mouth and also applied to the vagina in a capsule or suppository in varying doses. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Whether found in foods like pickles, yogurt or sauerkraut, or even as a supplement, probiotics aid in gut health. Live microorganisms, probiotics survive in your gut when ingested and provide more of the good bacteria that we naturally have.
But is it possible that those same probiotics can help with the health of your vagina?
The research is promising, says Ob/Gyn Oluwatosin Goje, MD.
“Many Lactobacillus strains possess probiotic properties, and several studies demonstrate the ability of Lactobacillus to adhere to vaginal and cervical epithelial cells,” explains Dr. Goje. “Numerous Lactobacillus strains have been shown to be active against the main pathogens responsible for bacterial infections of the vaginal and urinary tract.”
Storage
The established methods for preservation are freezing and freeze-drying, in which cells are maintained in frozen and dried forms. The frozen cells should be kept at a low storage temperature, such as −80°C, and rapid thawing is recommended for cells frozen with liquid nitrogen. The dried cells should have a low moisture content (<4%). They should be stored at a low relative humidity and temperature and rehydrated in a warm rehydration medium. In addition to these established methodologies, dried cells can be prepared by alternative drying processes such as spray-, fluidized bed-, and vacuum-drying. The viability of frozen and dried cells can be improved by the addition of protectants such as skim milk and sugars. The physiological state of LAB plays a crucial role, and an increased viability can be obtained by the sublethal stress treatment of cells. Exposing LAB cells to a mild stress triggers cells’ protective mechanisms to subsequent stresses occurring during the preservation processes. These stresses are, for example, the entry of cells to the stationary phase; osmotic, heat, cold, and acid shock; as well as genetic modification of genes related to those stresses.
Some Lactobacillus strains that can help with vaginal health include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
- Lactobacillus gasseri.
- Lactobacillus crispatus.
- Lactobacillus jensenii.
- Lactobacillus reuteri.
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