Reviews Overview: Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) is a probiotic bacteria that is available over the counter as a supplement and in some fermented foods. It is commonly used to improve vaginal health and prevent vaginal infections, but its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include gas and an upset stomach. Serious side effects are rare and include infections in some people who are at high risk of infections. Before using L. crispatus, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) used for?
L. crispatus is a probiotic that is commonly used to improve the health of the vagina and prevent vaginal infections, but its benefits are not well defined.
L. crispatus is available as a dietary supplement in various strengths and dosage forms. Some dietary supplements that contain L. crispatus also contain many other ingredients, including other probiotics.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed L. crispatus for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does L. crispatus work (mechanism of action)?
L. crispatus is a species of bacteria. It is a type of probiotic, which means it is a live microbe that may provide health benefits in some people.
Your body is home to millions of different microbes, which make up part of your microbiome. L. crispatus is naturally found in the gut and vagina. You can also get L. crispatus from dietary supplements and from creams or other products that are placed directly into the vagina. It is also found in a variety of fermented foods.
L. crispatus makes a substance called lactic acid. Lactic acid can help improve the health of your microbiome by reducing the amount of bad bacteria and increasing the amount of good bacteria. When the microbiome in your vagina is healthy, this may help with dryness and other conditions that can cause irritation, such as vaginal atrophy. L. crispatus may also help to lower the pH in the vagina, which may make you more able to resist infections. Different types of infections can occur in the vagina and the bladder. These include urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial vaginosis, and various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Scientists are studying L. crispatus, when taken by mouth or placed into the vagina, for many of these uses. However, its effects are currently not well understood.
Taking L. crispatus by mouth increases the levels of this bacteria in your gut. This may help improve the health of your microbiome. But there are many different factors that can affect whether a probiotic survives in your body. When you take L. crispatus by mouth or place it directly into the vagina, it may not always survive long enough to grow and multiply. As a result, its benefits are not well defined and may be different for each person. It is not clear whether oral L. crispatus can help with any health problems.
How should I store L. crispatus?
You should store L. crispatus according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of L. crispatus?
When L. crispatus is placed into the vagina, it seems to be well tolerated. The most common side effects of taking L. crispatus by mouth are gas and an upset stomach. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.
There may be other side effects of L. crispatus that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of L. crispatus?
While less common, the most serious side effects of L. crispatus are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. L. crispatus may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using L. crispatus and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Serious Infections. In very rare cases, some people who use probiotics, such as L. crispatus, can get a serious infection. This happens when L. crispatus moves into a part of the body where it is not supposed to be, such as your blood. This is most likely to happen in people who are very sick or have very weak immune systems, such as people with cancer or those receiving chemotherapy. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heartbeat
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use L. crispatus?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use L. crispatus.
- L. crispatus
- Lactobacillus crispatus
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific L. crispatus products they stock.
What should I know about L. crispatus before using it?
L. crispatus is available as a dietary supplement and may also be found in some products that are applied inside of the vagina. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep L. crispatus out of the reach of children.
Premature infants can be at a greater risk of side effects from probiotics, such as L. crispatus. Talk to your health care provider about the risks if your infant was born prematurely.
Probiotics, such as L. crispatus, are usually measured in colony-forming units (CFUs). Each CFU is equal to one living bacteria. The number of CFUs listed on the product label tells you how many living bacteria should be in that product on the day that it expires. Since bacteria slowly die off over time, the number of living bacteria in the product may be higher than the amount on the label.
Many probiotic products contain multiple species of microbes. Different microbes can have different effects in the body. It is important to read the product label closely to understand which species of bacteria are in that product.
L. crispatus is a species of bacteria. Within that species are many different strains. Each strain of L. crispatus may have slightly different effects in the body. This means that some strains of L. crispatus may have certain effects that other strains do not have. If the product you are using contains a specific strain, it should be listed on the product label as the string of numbers or letters that come after “L. crispatus.” If you switch to a different strain of L. crispatus, it may not have the same effects or side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Some probiotic products have been found to contain other microbes that are not listed on the label, which may cause serious health problems.
The FDA has not tested L. crispatus products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using L. crispatus?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if L. crispatus is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Central Line or Port. A central venous catheter (central line) or port is a small tube placed into a vein that can be used to give medicines and fluids directly into the vein (intravenously, or IV). These tubes can become infected by microbes, including probiotics. If you have a central line or port, speak to your health care provider before using L. crispatus.
Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- An autoimmune condition
- Cancer
- Immune problems, such as a weak immune system
- Regular or recurring infections in the vagina or bladder
Other Medicines and Supplements. L. crispatus may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using L. crispatus, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how L. crispatus could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if L. crispatus passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does L. crispatus interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between L. crispatus and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect L. crispatus.
Does L. crispatus interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using L. crispatus.
- A medicine that suppresses the immune system
- An antibiotic, which is used to treat certain bacterial infections
- Chemotherapy, which is used to treat certain cancers
The interactions between L. crispatus and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with L. crispatus is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using L. crispatus with any medicines.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much L. crispatus?
If you or someone else has used too much L. crispatus, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
L. crispatus products may contain many different ingredients, including other probiotics. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use L. crispatus safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.