Bacteria and yeast may get a bad rap, but both are critical (and beneficial!) to vaginal health. The two work in tandem to protect your reproductive system against potentially harmful pathogens and keep a healthy pH. When that intimate ecosystem gets out of whack, infections can arise (think candidal vulvovaginitis, a.k.a. yeast infections). In a nutshell, equilibrium is everything. 

Clinical studies have shown that 83% of women’s BV symptoms disappeared within 6 month and 78% of women experienced an absence of symptoms and negative candida culture in 6 months when using Routine's strains L.rhamnosus HN001 and L.acidophilus LA-14.

Lactobacillus bacteria in particular is key to achieving balance in the vaginal microbiome¹. Routine combines Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-14, two thoroughly studied probiotic strains that have been clinically proven to help maintain healthy vaginal pH, increase beneficial vaginal flora, and improve frustrating symptoms like itching and discharge².  

The research is robust. One clinical trial that tested the strains against four common pathogens found that L. rhamnosus HN001 and L. acidophilus LA-14 create a barrier against infection and actually inhibit the growth of specific pathogens responsible for both bacterial vaginosis (Gardenerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae) and aerobic vaginitis (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) . And unlike antibiotics, which can come with negative side effects and resistance in some, this strain combo offers similar results without adverse effects³.

Probiotics can help prevent future infections, too. A 2019 randomized clinical trial of women with recurring yeast infections concluded that those who took the two strains had improved symptoms and fewer recurring episodes⁴.

And much like your gut microbiome might need a little love after an infection or illness, the same goes for your vagina. L. rhamnosus HN001 and L. acidophilus LA-14 help with that. In a randomized controlled study, women took the two strains every day for 2 weeks and were swabbed weekly to analyze flora levels. The proof was right under the microscope—both strains encouraged the growth of new, good-for-you bacteria⁵.

1 Tachedjian G, Aldunate M, Bradshaw C, Cone R. The role of lactic acid production by probiotic Lactobacillus species in vaginal health. Res Microbiol. 2017;168(9-10):782-792. doi:10.1016/j.resmic.2017.04.001

2 Russo R, Edu A, De Seta F. Study on the effects of an oral lactobacilli and lactoferrin complex in women with intermediate vaginal microbiota. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018;298(1):139-145. doi:10.1007/s00404-018-4771-z

3 Bertuccini L, Russo R, Iosi F, Superti F. Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus on bacterial vaginal pathogens. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2017;30(2):163-167. doi:10.1177/0394632017697987

4 Russo R, Superti F, Karadja E, De Seta F. Randomised clinical trial in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: efficacy of probiotics and lactoferrin as maintenance treatment. Mycoses. 2019;62(4):328-335. doi:10.1111/myc.12883

5 De Alberti D, Russo R, Terruzzi F, Nobile V, Ouwehand A. Lactobacilli vaginal colonisation after oral consumption of Respecta® complex: a randomised controlled pilot study. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;292(4):861-867. doi:10.1007/s00404-015-3711-4