FemiCore Probiotic Strains Explained: What Each of the Five Lactobacillus Strains Does

By Carter Bango, Founder of Three Whole Health · Last updated 2026-10-01 · How we review

FemiCore contains five named probiotic strains in a 50 mg blend: Lactobacillus crispatus LC-R6, L. acidophilus LA88, L. plantarum N13, L. gasseri LG08 and L. casei LC16. Two of them, crispatus and gasseri, are vaginal-origin species, which is what separates a women's urinary formula from a generic gut probiotic. This guide explains what each strain does, why the combination makes sense, what the label does not tell you, and how to take them for the best effect.

The five FemiCore probiotic strains at a glance

Why the vaginal-origin strains matter

Research on the female urinary tract keeps pointing at the same organism: Lactobacillus crispatus. Women whose vaginal microbiome is dominated by L. crispatus have the lowest rates of bacterial vaginosis, yeast overgrowth and recurrent urinary tract infections. It works by fermenting glycogen into lactic acid (keeping pH around 3.8–4.5) and producing hydrogen peroxide, both of which make the environment hostile to E. coli, the bacterium behind most UTIs.

In a placebo-controlled trial, women who used an L. crispatus product after a UTI had a recurrence rate of about 15% versus 27% for placebo. L. gasseri is the other species commonly found in a healthy vaginal microbiome and is associated with the same protective, low-pH state. Seeing both named on the FemiCore label, with strain codes, tells you the formulator was targeting the urogenital tract specifically. Compare that with the many "women's probiotics" that contain only gut strains.

What the gut strains add

L. acidophilus, L. plantarum and L. casei are not vaginal specialists, but they earn their place:

• Antibiotic recovery. A course of antibiotics for a UTI depletes gut and vaginal flora alike. These three are the strains most often used in trials on restoring the gut after antibiotics.
• Transit and survival. L. plantarum in particular tolerates stomach acid and bile, which helps the blend reach the intestine where oral probiotics are absorbed before migrating to the urogenital tract.
• Digestive comfort. The mild bloating some users report in week one is the flora adjusting; these strains settle it and support regular digestion afterwards.

Do oral probiotics actually reach the vagina?

Yes. Studies with oral Lactobacillus strains have detected the same strains in the vaginal tract within one to two weeks, migrating from the rectum via the perineum, the same route E. coli takes in the wrong direction. This is why a daily capsule can influence urinary health even though it is swallowed, and why consistency matters: colonisation is maintained by daily intake, not by a single large dose.

What the FemiCore label does not tell you

Two honest caveats:

1. No CFU count. The label lists a 50 mg probiotic blend by weight, not colony-forming units. For reference, 50 mg of freeze-dried Lactobacillus typically corresponds to somewhere in the low billions of CFU, but FemiCore does not publish the figure. If exact potency matters to you, ask the manufacturer directly; details are on the contact page.
2. No per-strain breakdown. The five strains share the 50 mg; the label does not say how much of each. L. crispatus is listed first, which under labelling conventions usually means it is the largest component.

Neither caveat is unusual for a multi-ingredient supplement, but they are the reason we rate the probiotic component as "well-chosen" rather than "clinically dosed". The full label is reproduced on the ingredients page.

How the probiotics work with the herbal blend

FemiCore pairs the probiotic blend with a 350 mg herbal blend: cranberry extract standardized to 30% proanthocyanidins, bearberry leaf, berberine HCl and mimosa pudica seed. The logic is complementary. The botanicals discourage unwanted bacteria from attaching and multiplying; the Lactobacillus strains repopulate the protective flora so the improvement holds. Cranberry or probiotics alone address only half of the cycle, which is the case we make in FemiCore vs cranberry pills.

Taking FemiCore probiotics for the best effect

• Daily, same time, with water. Colonisation depends on consistency. One capsule a day is the label dose; do not double it.
• With a meal if you have a sensitive stomach. Food buffers acid and reduces first-week bloating.
• Space from antibiotics. If you are on a course, take FemiCore a few hours apart from each antibiotic dose, and continue for at least a month after the course ends.
• Store cool and dry. No refrigeration is required, but heat shortens the life of any probiotic. Keep the bottle out of the bathroom cabinet above the shower.
• Give it 60–90 days. Users who judge the probiotics after two weeks usually see nothing; those who complete 90 days report the clearest change in urgency and recurrence.

Are the FemiCore probiotic strains safe?

Lactobacillus species are among the most studied probiotics and are classified as generally recognised as safe. The common side effect is temporary bloating or gas in the first week. Severely immunocompromised women should discuss any probiotic with a physician first. The capsule is gelatin, so FemiCore is not vegetarian. Full interaction notes, including for the berberine and cranberry in the herbal blend, are in is FemiCore safe.

Bottom line

The five FemiCore probiotic strains are a sensible, urogenital-focused selection: L. crispatus and L. gasseri for the vaginal and urinary tract, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum and L. casei for gut recovery and reliable delivery. The missing CFU count is a fair criticism, but the strain choice is better than most products in this category. If microbiome balance is one of the benefits you are after, see the full list in FemiCore benefits for women.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Buy FemiCore only from the official website so the 60-day guarantee applies.