The Italian probiotic manufacturer’s combination of L. plantarum-PBS067, L. rhamnosus-LRH020 and B.lactis-BL050 bacterial strains have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity against urogenital infections and bacterial vaginosis and restore the vaginal microbiota.
It has also been found to improve the relative abundance of Lactobacillus to reduce inflammation and reverse dysbiosis; a common occurrence in women’s health conditions such as menopause.
The expert judging panel said the product was chosen because of its ‘clear and precise market positioning and its continuous, ongoing drive to enhance the body of scientific evidence supporting the product’s claims.’
Silvia Castegnara, product manager at SynBalance Probiotics told NutraIngredients at the awards ceremony in Geneva last week: “Winning this award is a marker of validation of the importance of microbiome modulation in women’s health.”
Restoring vaginal microbiota
Menopause results in a significant decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to increased incidence of irritating genital symptoms.
Estrogen is crucial for glycogen production which provides nutrients for lactobacilli growth, which helps maintain vaginal homeostasis through various mechanisms. The reduction of lactobacilli as a result of oestrogen decline can lead to an increase in pathogenic species, and therefore a rise in the vaginal pH.
Research conducted by SynBalance found that Femme was effective in the prevention of bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrences, improved the restoration of a balanced microbiota, and promoted the growth of beneficial lactobacilli.
The probiotics have been shown to support the formation of a probiotic monolayer and an acidic microenvironment, which prevents pathogen adhesion, but also inhibits pathogen cell growth through co-aggregation with G. vaginalis, E. coli and C. albicans.
SynBalance also realized the significance of addressing a crucial and overlooked demographic of menopausal women, Castegnara noted.
A recent clinical trial conducted in 50 menopausal participants, showed that supplementation led to significant improvements across various parameters such as a 50% enhancement in the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) score and substantial reductions in inflammatory cytokine levels.
As Castegnara explained, Synbalance’s goal with Femme is to focus on women’s health beyond medication, as prescribed solutions such as antibiotics can disrupt the vaginal ecosystem.
Femme is designed to counteract this, she noted, recommending that probiotics can support and replenish the vaginal microbiota, which can help maintain a healthy balance and achieve long-lasting positive results.