When we think about caring for vaginal flora, the first thing that comes to mind is usually something applied locally: pessaries, gels, creams. That's why it's a little surprising the first time someone discovers there are capsules you take by mouth for this same purpose. Today we explain the logic behind it.
The gut-vagina axis
The gut is home to an enormous number of bacteria, including several types of beneficial lactobacilli. Microbiota research has shown that these bacteria, when taken orally, can survive passage through the digestive system, temporarily establish themselves in the gut, and from there migrate toward the vaginal area —an anatomically short journey in the female body— contributing to the balance of vaginal flora.
This is what's known as the gut-vagina axis: a connection where the health of one bacterial ecosystem can influence the other. It's the same reason why, sometimes, after a course of antibiotics (which also affects gut flora) it's recommended to support the recovery of vaginal flora through this oral route.
A strain-specific effect
Not all lactobacilli behave the same way: the ability to survive digestive transit and reach the vagina depends on the specific strain, which is why the strongest evidence is product-specific rather than something you can generalise to "any probiotic".
Does it replace pessaries or other vaginal products?
Not necessarily: they're different approaches, and sometimes complementary ones. Pessaries act locally and directly; an oral probiotic, by contrast, acts more broadly and systemically. menoelle® FLORA INTIM is designed specifically for this oral route, and its makers highlight a practical advantage: because it's not applied locally, it doesn't create extra discharge, it requires no waiting period around sexual activity, and it can be used without restriction during menstruation.
Transparency: menoelle is a brand we collaborate with. We're mentioning it here because we find it a genuinely relevant proposal for our community, not in exchange for presenting it as a neutral recommendation. You decide what's useful to you.
In the next post we'll take a closer look at the specific lactobacilli strains in menoelle® FLORA INTIM and what's known about them.
A note
This content is for informational and educational purposes. If you have any doubts about your particular situation, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Romeo M, D'Urso F, Ciccarese G, Di Gaudio F, Broccolo F (2024). Exploring Oral and Vaginal Probiotic Solutions for Women's Health from Puberty to Menopause: A Narrative Review. Microorganisms, 12(8), 1614.
- Nisaa AA, Goh KS, Mageswary U, et al. (2026). Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 for Gut-Vaginal Microbiota Modulation in Healthy Women. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 70(13), e70535.