Probiotics are widely known for their benefits to gut health, but they also play a key role in supporting vaginal health, skin health, and overall body balance.
When you start taking a probiotic, you may notice improvements in various areas such as digestion, vaginal health, or even a clearer complexion. But how long should you continue taking them? While there’s no universal answer, here are some important factors to consider.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live cultures of good bacteria that make their way into your gut, vagina, skin, and more. They help maintain harmony, support your immune system, and make sure everything’s running smoothly.
But probiotics aren’t the only ones at the party. The guest list includes trillions of other microorganisms that make up your microbiome. These bacteria, fungi, and even viruses play key roles in your gut health. So while probiotics are important, they’re just one part of the bigger picture.
What does research say about how long it takes for probiotics to work?
Probiotics are not a quick fix. Depending on the use-case, it can take days to months to see meaningful changes in gut, vaginal, or skin health.
Below is a summary of the NIH's probiotics fact sheet for health professionals. For more information, here is the full fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/. For bacterial vaginosis, we referenced this meta analysis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9366906/
Atopic Dermatitis
Probiotics may reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis when taken during pregnancy and infancy.
Significant improvements in symptom severity were noted after 4 to 24 weeks of treatment, but the effects vary by probiotic strain and patient age. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)
Probiotics, such as LGG and Saccharomyces boulardii, are most effective in preventing AAD when taken within 2 days of starting antibiotics.
Treatment lasting 10 days to 3 months reduced AAD risk, especially in children. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Studies suggest that using probiotics alongside antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis (BV) can improve treatment outcomes. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus crispatus, and Lactobacillus gasseri have been shown to reduce BV recurrence, improve symptoms like vaginal discharge and itching, and improve vaginal flora composition. [trusted_source link="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9366906/" aggregator="PubMed" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology" title="The role of probiotics in vaginal health"]
Our probiotic Soaking Wet contains these probiotics along with other key ingredients for total vaginal health.
The duration of probiotic usage in clinical studies varies - typically they are administered for 7 to 30 days, and some studies report that probiotics significantly prolong the time to recurrence and improve vaginal microbial balance.
Hypercholesterolemia
Probiotics may help reduce cholesterol levels after 4 to 12 weeks of use. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis showed the most promise in lowering total and LDL cholesterol, but results vary across studies.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Probiotics may provide modest benefits for ulcerative colitis but not for Crohn’s disease.
Evidence suggests probiotics could be helpful when taken for several months, though more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Probiotics may reduce symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal pain and bloating, after 8 to 10 weeks of use. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Multi-strain probiotics tend to be more effective than single strains in improving overall quality of life and reducing specific symptoms.
Obesity
Probiotics have been shown to help reduce body fat and waist circumference after 3 to 12 weeks of use in some studies, though the effects are typically small. Results depend on factors such as strain, dose, and the individual's characteristics. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Pediatric Acute Infectious Diarrhea
Probiotics, especially Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Saccharomyces boulardii, can reduce the duration of acute infectious diarrhea by about 1 day when taken for 5 to 10 days. Effectiveness may vary based on the setting and strain. [trusted_source link="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/" aggregator="NIH" institution="The National Institutes of Health" journal="the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements" title="Probiotics Fact Sheet for Health Professionals"]
Consistency is key
Some people expect immediate results and may stop taking probiotics too soon. It's important to remain patient and consistent.
While minor improvements may be felt earlier, it often takes a full 90 days to see lasting changes, whether in gut function, vaginal comfort, or skin appearance.
Mild side effects like stomach discomfort may occur early on but should subside as your body adjusts.
You should support probiotics with a healthy diet
For probiotics to thrive and work efficiently, it's important to support them with the right nutrients.
A diet rich in fiber (from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes) fuels beneficial bacteria in your gut and body. Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented items help sustain the good bacteria you’re introducing.
Eating a balanced diet not only supports gut health but also contributes to improved skin and vaginal health.
Conclusion
Probiotics offer wide-ranging benefits, from improving digestion to supporting vaginal health and enhancing skin appearance.
While results typically take around 90 days to become noticeable, staying consistent with your regimen and maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for long-term success. Some individuals may need to continue probiotics long-term, depending on their health needs, but for most, consistent use leads to lasting benefits for multiple aspects of health.
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