Jarrow (sold globally as Astarte) developed several probiotic formulas for oral use to promote vaginal health.
The Fem-Dophilus Advanced has the best probiotic blend out of the range for promoting vaginal colonisation with the most protective species, while the 1 and 5 billion products are more useful for supporting the urinary tract. Both are good in their own ways.
The product has four variations, with one requiring cold-pack shipping and refrigeration, which keeps the bacteria alive during transit and at home.
Cold-packed probiotics must be kept refrigerated, while non-cold-pack products should be kept cool and dry. If you live in a hot climate, keep them in the fridge too. Check the label for instructions.
Fem-Dophilus comes in four variations
- Fem-Dophilus – 1 Billion CFU
- Fem-Dophilus – 5 Billion CFU
- Fem-Dophilus Advanced – 10 Billion CFU (Refrigerated)
- Fem-Dophilus Advanced – 10 Billion CFU (Shelf Stable)
Fem-Dophilus 1 Billion and 5 Billion CFU contain:
- Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GR-1
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri RC-14
Fem-Dophilus Advanced 10 Billion CFU Refrigerated and Shelf Stable contain:
- Lactobacillus crispatus LBV88
- Lactobacillus gasseri LBV150N
- Lactobacillus plantarum UALp-05
- Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12
- Lactobacillus jensenii LBV116
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96
Other ingredients in Fem-Dophilus probiotics
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Capsule (hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, water), maltodextrin, magnesium stearate (vegetable source) and silicon dioxide
- pH-sensitive enteric coating consists of modified cellulose, magnesium silicate and triethyl citrate
- No wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, fish/shellfish, peanuts/tree nuts
- Vegan
Instructions and dose of Fem-Dophilus probiotics
Suggested use is one capsule per day by mouth, or two capsules as needed or directed by your healthcare professional.
The instructions recommend taking Fem-Dophilus one or two hours after antibiotics, and advise against using the gelatin or enteric-coating veggie capsules for vaginal use.
Store in a cool dry place. Does not require refrigeration if ambient temperatures are below 77F/25C. (If it’s summer where you are or you live in a hot country, keep it in the fridge.)
About the enteric coating/gelatin capsules
Enteric-coated vegetable capsules are designed to resist stomach acid, allowing the bacteria to arrive in the non-acidic intestine unharmed, with almost 100 per cent of the probiotics passing into the intestines. Gelatin capsules are broken down by heat and stomach acid and may not dissolve as well in the vagina.
Jarrow has stated that the enteric-coated capsules are not to be used vaginally.
How to use Fem-Dophilus probiotics vaginally – My Vagina’s recommendations
We advise you to order vagina-friendly highly-dissovable vegetable capsules yourself, and remove the contents from the gelatin/veggie enteric coated capsule and put it into the vegetable capsule. Insert deep vaginally as required or instructed by your health professional.
If you look very carefully at the label, and it says VEGGIE CAPS, without enteric coating, you can use them vaginally without switching capsules.
Be very careful, though, because the enteric-coated capsules are also vegetable capsules! The enteric coating is not vagina friendly and is designed to resist acid, so will not dissolve properly in the vagina.
Find the full instructions for transferring Fem-Dophilus probiotics into vegetable capsules at home.
Specially formulated probiotic for vaginal application to promote a healthy vaginal microbiome.
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