A new study, believed to be the world’s largest real-world study investigating the potential role of probiotics in perimenopause symptom management, has reported significant and clinically meaningful improvement in symptoms and quality of life. The results were presented at the British Menopause Society (BMS) conference 2026 and are now fully published in the BMC Women's Health journal.
The 12-week, single-arm study of 197 women, conducted by researchers at University College London, explored the effects of Symprove, the liquid, multi-strain gut supplement, on menopause-related symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms and sleep regularity in perimenopausal women.
Perimenopause is associated with a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, including hot flushes, anxiety, bloating, poor sleep and fatigue, all of which can significantly affect quality of life. Increasingly, researchers are exploring whether changes in the gut microbiome may influence inflammation, metabolism and symptom burden during perimenopause.
Researchers assessed menopause-related symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sleep regularity using a range of validated questionnaires across the intervention period.
Improvements in menopause-related quality-of-life scores were observed in 98% of participants, with an average 46% improvement by 12 weeks. Improvements were observed from four weeks and maintained throughout the study period.
Significant improvements were also reported across vasomotor (hot flushes, night sweats etc.), sexual, psychosocial and physical symptom domains, regardless of HRT status.
Notably, 78% of women reported improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms, with an average improvement of 63%. In addition, 66% of women reported improvements in sleep regularity, with an average improvement of 15%. While the change in sleep regularity was modest, this may suggest a greater effect on perceived sleep quality, which was not specifically measured in the study.
Researcher Dr Katie Barber says: “In clinic, it’s very common to see gut issues alongside perimenopausal symptoms, yet they’re not always addressed together. These findings are very interesting because they show consistent improvements across both areas. We know that supporting gut health won’t replace medical treatment, but it may offer a simple, accessible way to help women manage symptoms more holistically.”
Nigel Denby, Registered Dietitian, says “94% of women going through menopause report digestive health issues. This study with Symprove validates what I’ve seen in my practice for years – that Symprove can support women going through menopause with their gut health issues, but crucially many other symptoms of menopause.”
The full published paper is available in BMC Women’s Health journal (Denby N et al. BMC Women's Health (2026) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04800-9).
About Symprove:
Symprove is the UK's No.1 live and active bacteria supplement*.
Founded in 1986, Symprove has spent decades investing in independent scientific research to help build a better understanding of the gut microbiome and the role it plays in overall health.
Unlike many supplements, Symprove's unique water-based formula is designed to deliver live and active bacteria to the gut, where they can have the greatest impact. It contains four strains of live and active bacteria, is suitable for everyday use and is free from dairy, gluten and artificial additives.
Today, Symprove is available on subscription from symprove.com and at leading UK retailers including Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Superdrug, and Holland & Barrett.
For more information, visit www.symprove.com.
For samples or more information, please get in touch with press@symprove.com or call 01252 413 600.
* Source Euromonitor International Ltd; Consumer Health 2026ed., Symprove retail value sales, UK 2025 data
