Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus Probiotics for Women - 30 Capsules

This is a great product and I have been using it for years. But It is supposed to be continuously refrigerated. It was delivered in a cardboard package in 40 degree heat. No idea how effective it will be. I recommend before ordering that you contact the seller and make sure they can deliver in a thermal container. Otherwise, you might not be getting any benefit.

Awhile ago I suspected that I had a BV issue since not only was my smell really different (fishy! I learned from my doctor that a fishy smell IS NEVER right, and means there is a BV problem) but I was also starting to have some irritation. My doctor did a swab test and confirmed that I did indeed have BV and put me on a round of antibiotics (I chose the form that was an insertable cream as opposed to the same drug in pill form, because I'm not a big fan of systemic antibiotics if they're not necessary). The antibiotic treatment worked...for a short period of time. About 2 months later, the smell (and BV) were back. Trip #2 to the doctor and prescription #2 for antibiotics...rather than play the never-ending antibiotics game, I decided I needed to do something different. Let the research begin!I learned some important information that my doctor seemed to be completely oblivious about, and by educating myself, I was able to solve my issue long-term WITHOUT antibiotics! Here is what I learned in a nutshell:1) The vagina (like the gut) has a specific balance of bacteria that keeps everything functioning properly. If too much of the good bacteria get killed off (either through general antibiotic use OR they are starved (more on this later), then the bad bacteria and yeast will take over and over multiply, causing lots of problems like BV and yeast infections, etc...2) The 'good' bacteria keep the bad bacteria in check by producing hydrogen peroxide. The bad bacteria are anaerobic, and can't survive in a high oxygen environment. So one of the first things I did was to give myself regular hydrogen peroxide douches. (you can dilute it with water if using it straight is irritating. I personally used it without water, but you may be more sensitive). These douches don't need to be complicated - Just insert a small amount of peroxide, try to keep your legs above your head for about 2-3 minutes, then let it out (preferably over the toilet or in the tub). Now that I don't have BV anymore, I still use hydrogen peroxide flushes once a month at the end of my period to flush out the last vestiges of blood (blood feeds the bad bacteria, which is why BV often gets worse during or immediately after a period). Such a small amount of prevention really makes a huge difference!3) The good bacteria need food to live and multiply and thrive. Their food production is controlled by estrogen. So, if estrogen levels are too low (as are mine) you can either raise them by taking estrogen (which you may or may not want to do). Alternatively, you can step in and feed the good bacteria directly with a prebiotic - the brand I swear by and have been using is: VH Essentials  vH Essentials 15 Prebiotic Vaginal Suppositories, pH Balanced for Feminine Health  By providing food to the good bacteria in the form of these suppositories, you will ensure that the good bacteria have what they need to rebound and vanquish the pathogenic stuff.When I first started treating my BV, I did daily hydrogen peroxide flushes and inserted a VH Essentials prebiotic suppository (it's shaped like a bullet and looks like a wax crayon - super easy to insert) just before bedtime. It's ideal to do it right before you plan to be laying down so that gravity doesn't eject it before it's had a chance to dissolve and get eaten. (I will get to the Jarro-Dophilus soon, I promise!)After successfully eradicating my BV issue, I got a bit lazy and stopped using the VH prebiotics regularly so my BV returned full force. I decided to try something slightly different. I ordered these Jarro-Dophilus probiotics. I started by taking one orally and inserting one vaginally at night. The next day, the BV smell was almost completely gone! I decided to suspend the VH prebiotic and use this Jarrow probiotic. I may go back and forth between the two in the future, or take both of them simultaneously to make sure the probiotics really have a chance to colonize. I'm mentioning both products treatments that I used successfully in case anyone else is either not having good results with one of them, or wants to beef up their regimen by taking both simultaneously.If you know that your estrogen levels are adequate but you've completely eradicated all or most of your good vaginal bacteria (for example, because you've taken rounds of antibiotics, you may want to just take these probiotics without the prebiotic. Or you may want to take both just to ensure success. Either way, I highly recommend both the VH Essentials prebiotic and this Jarrow Jarro-Dophilus.Since I unfortunately have a systemic problem, rather than a temporary bacterial unbalance, I have to use the prebiotics on a daily basis to keep my system in check. I'm not certain that I will get more lasting results with the probiotic than with this prebiotic, and since the prebiotic is much cheaper than the probiotic, in the long term I will likely stick to the prebiotic suppositories. I'll update this review in the future if I discover anything new.***I ordered the single pack in AUGUST (I'm in FLORIDA) with 1 day shipping. It did NOT come with any cool packs or in any kind of insulation protection, and when I opened up the packaging, the box of pills was actually quite warm. However, I had excellent results with the first first day of treatment, which tells me that it can withstand higher temps for a short period of time. Each capsule is in an individual blister. You can always make a small batch of yogurt with a capsule to check to see if it's viable (which is what I normally do to test certain probiotics). I'm including a picture of the packaging it came in - a standard bubble wrap mailer with no freeze packs.Update: 6/2018 I recently reordered this probiotic and I'm happy to report that it's now shipped with a cool pack (which was still cold when it arrived). I was quite impressed with how well it was packed, definitely a big improvement.I tried to write as detailed a review as possible because I know how frustrating it is to deal with BV. If you found this review information and/or helpful, please consider leaving me feedback, I'd really appreciate it!*I have noticed that several reviews I have written on items purchased through Amazon have had the "Verified Purchase" removed incorrectly and as a result are no longer visible, which is likely happening to other people as well. When you read reviews, be sure to sort by 'All reviews' since there is obviously a bug in the system and many helpful and detailed reviews are now hidden. vH Essentials 15 Prebiotic Vaginal Suppositories, pH Balanced for Feminine Health

This is amazing. I was having serious problems with recurring yeast infections that nothing seemed to help. I had tried prescription creams, OTC creams, many rounds of diflucan, and a few other probiotics. I finally kicked them through a combo of this and tea tree oil applied topically *externally only* (you can google this, be careful, blah, blah but it worked almost immediately when nothing else did). Since getting rid of the infection, I have been taking this religiously once a day as a preventative measure.Supplements are one of those things that it just pains me to spend money on and this has cost, on average, $20ish for a 30 day supply, which sucks but it's worth every penny. Just buy it. Two important considerations: this needs to be refrigerated and it ships in cold packaging. It has taken up to a week at times, so definitely order early. Also - these pills WILL BREAK if you rely on pushing them through the blister packaging. Don't be a lazy jerk like me and keep trying until you break five of them. Take a second to put a small slit in the back with a knife before pushing the pill through.

Targeted probiotic focused on the feminine health which helps to keep the balance a little bit better it is not a cure all but it helps to balance the overall health

Great stuff! Has helped regulate my ph and in combo with boric acid supasatories has gotten rid of BV!The only issue, it did not come referegerated. I'm not sure if that effects the product at all

FINALLY, after so many different women's probiotics! This one only took a few days in what a few weeks of many other products only did somewhat alright at twice the price. I feel normal again!