Beneficial Effects of Probiotics on Benign Gynaecological Disorders: A Review

Nutrients. 2023 Jun 13;15(12):2733. doi: 10.3390/nu15122733.

Abstract

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer beneficial effects on human health when an adequate dose is administered. Recently, the use of probiotics has gained tremendous interest from the public due to its promising effects in the management of various reproductive diseases. However, the review of probiotics' benefits on benign gynaecological disorders, including vaginal infections, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, remains scarce. Therefore, this review is built on current knowledge on the beneficial effects of probiotics against selected benign gynaecological disorders. Recent findings point out that probiotics' supplementation in different clinical and in vivo models showed promising health effects and results in the amelioration of disease symptoms. Thus, in this review, we showed the findings of both studies performed in clinical settings and animal studies. However, current information, solely based on clinical trials or animal studies, is inadequate in communicating the excellent findings on the beneficial effects of probiotics on human health. Therefore, future clinical intervention studies are required to further elucidate the evidence of the benefits of probiotics benefits regarding these gynaecological disorders.

Keywords: endometriosis; polycystic ovary syndrome; probiotics; vaginal infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / therapy
  • Probiotics* / pharmacology
  • Probiotics* / therapeutic use