Do I need to take a probiotic supplement for endometriosis?

Probiotics are live microorganisms and yeasts that offer various health benefits, often referred to as "good bacteria." These beneficial microbes have been selected based on positive outcomes observed in scientific research.

Probiotics can be found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and kombucha, or they can be taken as dietary supplements.

Consuming probiotics can help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut, which can be particularly beneficial when this balance has been disrupted by illness or medical treatments, such as antibiotic use.

Chronic conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), obesity, and diabetes can also alter your microbiome.

Additionally, psychological, or physical stress, oxidative stress, inflammation, and poor diets rich in processed foods and refined sugars can negatively impact your gut health.

What is Dysbiosis?

Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in your body.

Signs that you might be experiencing dysbiosis, and could therefore benefit from taking a probiotic, include:

• Inflammation, bloating, belching, diarrhoea, constipation, excess gas, poor immunity, recurring yeast infections, indigestion, nausea, painful urination, rashes, acne, psoriasis, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and irritability.

Probiotics and Endometriosis

There is increasing evidence suggesting that the microbiota is altered in women with endometriosis, not just in the gut but in other locations as well. For example, women with endometriosis are more likely to have uterine dysbiosis compared to those without the condition.1 

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, and this inflammation can cause changes in the microbiome. However, research suggests that the microbiome might not only be affected by endometriosis but could also play a role in the formation and progression of the disease through inflammatory pathways. Thus, dysbiosis might be both a consequence and a causative factor in endometriosis.2

Dysbiosis in the gut can also contribute to increased oestrogen levels in the body, which is problematic for those with endometriosis since the disease thrives on oestrogen. Additionally, having endometriosis can increase your susceptibility to conditions like IBD and IBS, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good gut health.

Choosing the Right Probiotic

Different probiotics contain different strains of bacteria, each offering unique benefits. For general gut health, Lactobacillus probiotics are a good starting point.

When selecting a probiotic, it’s important to choose one that has been scientifically proven to deliver live bacteria to the gut. Many probiotics lose their effectiveness by the time they reach the gut, which means you might not be getting the benefits you’re paying for. Generally, liquid-based probiotics have shown better survival rates compared to freeze-dried products.3

One product I highly recommend is Symprove, unique water-based live bacteria food supplement containing four bacterial strains: Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Enterococcus faecium. While Symprove is more expensive, it’s one of the few probiotics backed by scientific studies, making it a reliable choice.

As a strong believer in this brand, I have connected with them to get a discount for anyone reading this who wants to try it. They offered my readers a 50% discount for the first three months. It’s recommended to take probiotics for at least three months to allow time for positive changes to occur in your gut.

Use Code: SMARTENDO50 for 50% off

Scientific Evidence Supporting Symprove

IBS Findings: A three-month treatment with Symprove was associated with a significantly greater reduction in symptom severity in patients with moderate to severe IBS compared to a placebo.4 

IBD Findings: Symprove has been associated with decreased intestinal inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), though not in Crohn's disease (CD). It has also been well tolerated by patients.5 

So to answer the question 'Do I need to take a probiotic for a probiotic for endometriosis?' The answer is no, but it can be a great tool to take every now and then to ensure we have a healthy, thriving microbiome.

1 - Chadchan, S.B., Naik, S.K., Popli, P. et al. Gut microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolites promotes endometriosis. Cell Death Discov. 9, 28 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-023-01309-0

2 - Uzuner C, Mak J, El-Assaad F and Condous G (2023) The bidirectional relationship between endometriosis and microbiome. Front. Endocrinol. 14:1110824. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1110824

3 - Fredua-Agyeman M, Gaisford S. Comparative survival of commercial probiotic formulations: tests in biorelevant gastric fluids and real-time measurements using microcalorimetry. Benef Microbes. 2015 Mar;6(1):141-51. doi: 10.3920/BM2014.0051. PMID: 25351484.

4 - Bjarnason I, Sisson G, Ayis SPMO-076 Assessment of the probiotic symprove in patients with IBS: a randomised double blind placebo controlled trial Gut 2012;61:A104.

5 - Bjarnason I, Sission G, Hayee B. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a multi-strain probiotic in patients with asymptomatic ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Inflammopharmacology. 2019 Jun;27(3):465-473. doi: 10.1007/s10787-019-00595-4. Epub 2019 May 3. PMID: 31054010; PMCID: PMC6554453.