Lactobacillus Crispatus

What is Lactobacillus Crispatus?

Living in our guts are thousands of species of bacteria, called the 'gut microbiome', which is involved in many processes in the body. One of these is the 'gut-vagina' axis, the complex communication and feedback system between the gut microbiome (also called 'gut flora') and the vaginal microbiome. Lactobacillus is one of the best known groups of bacteria in both.

Lactobacillus crispatus is one of the main bacteria of the vaginal microbiome. The vagina is naturally more acidic than the rest of the body (pH 3.8–4.5, compared with 7.4), and the mix of bacteria living there changes when that pH shifts.

What does the research say about Lactobacillus Crispatus?

L. crispatus has been studied for its safety and tolerability when used vaginally. L. crispatus produces lactic acid and related compounds, and lactic acid contributes to the vagina's natural acidity. Laboratory research has looked at how L. crispatus interacts with other bacteria, including E. coli. A clinical trial reported by the US National Institutes of Health has also looked at L. crispatus and the vaginal microbiome.

It's important to remember that bacteria like L. crispatus require fibrous prebiotics as their food, so we need to include these in our diet too. One of the most important of these is Inulin, which can be found in a range of fruit and vegetables.

Form: Live bacteria.

You may also enjoy reading 'What is Bacterial Vaginosis?', 'What you need to know about UTIs' and 'What is vaginal atrophy?'.

Why it's in Women's ProMulti

Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus reuteri are two key probiotic strains that offer significant benefits for women’s health, particularly in supporting vaginal and gut microbiota balance.

L. crispatus is a beneficial probiotic strain found in the vagina. Its dominance is associated with a healthy vagina. Studies show that L. crispatus has a protective effect against sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis.¹ L. crispatus produces lactic acid, which lowers vaginal pH. This acidic environment inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria and yeast and reduces the risk of bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. L. crispatus competes with harmful microorganisms for attachment sites on the vaginal epithelium, and by colonising the vaginal mucosa, it prevents the establishment of pathogens. L. crispatus enhances local immune responses by promoting the production of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines.²

Why it's in pH Hero®

Lactobacillus crispatus is a dominant strain in healthy vaginal flora.³ By producing lactic acid, L. crispatus helps maintain a low vaginal pH, which is essential for preventing overgrowth of pathogens like Candida and E. coli. This strain forms a biofilm that acts as a physical barrier against pathogens, enhancing the mucosal defence system.⁴ L. crispatus can modulate local immune responses, reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy balance of vaginal microorganisms. Lactobacillus crispatus is particularly effective in outcompeting harmful pathogens and maintaining an acidic vaginal pH through lactic acid production. This strain is frequently found in healthy vaginal microbiomes and has been associated with a lower incidence of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Its ability to form a biofilm helps to reinforce the vaginal mucosal barrier, providing a physical and biological defence against infections. In clinical studies, L. crispatus has demonstrated the ability to restore vaginal flora, reduce recurrence rates of BV, and enhance immune responses by modulating inflammatory cytokines.⁵