Cranberry, Bearberry & Berberine: A Botanical Guide
Three plant ingredients show up again and again in urinary-support formulas. Learn where each comes from, how it is used, and what to check before you take it.
In this article
For most of the twentieth century, doctors were taught that healthy urine is sterile. That idea has since been overturned. Newer laboratory methods have shown that the bladder and urinary tract host their own small, low-density community of microbes, now called the urinary microbiome or urobiome.
Why the old view lasted so long
Standard urine cultures were designed to detect the fast-growing bacteria that cause infections. Many of the slower-growing or oxygen-sensitive organisms living in the urinary tract simply didn't show up. DNA sequencing and enhanced culture techniques changed that, revealing bacteria in urine from people with no infection at all.
Lactobacillus and women's health
In many healthy women, the vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus species such as L. crispatus, L. gasseri and L. jensenii. These bacteria produce lactic acid, which helps keep the vaginal environment mildly acidic. Because the vagina and urethra sit so close together, researchers are interested in how these two communities relate. Lactobacillus species are also frequently found in the female urinary microbiome.
Microbiome science is young. Much of what we know comes from observational studies, so be cautious of any product that promises specific outcomes from changing your bacteria.
What can shift the balance?
- Hormonal changes, especially falling estrogen around menopause
- Antibiotic courses
- Douching and scented intimate products
- Sexual activity and new partners
- Certain contraceptives
Everyday ways to support a healthy microbiome
- Eat plenty of fiber from vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains.
- Include fermented foods if they agree with you.
- Skip douching. The vagina cleans itself.
- Use antibiotics only when prescribed.
- Talk to your doctor about menopause-related changes. Local treatments exist.
Where supplements come in
Probiotic supplements for women typically contain Lactobacillus species. FemiCore, for example, includes five of them (crispatus, acidophilus, plantarum, gasseri and casei) alongside four botanicals. A supplement can be one part of a routine that supports microbiome balance. It is not a treatment for infection, and recurring urinary symptoms deserve a proper medical work-up.
Learn more on our Microbiome Balance page, or see what's inside FemiCore.
This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your own situation.
