You’ve just been prescribed antibiotics. Maybe it’s for a chest infection, or a urinary one.
You take them exactly as your doctor told you and then, suddenly, your gut revolts.
Diarrhoea, thrush, bloating, sluggish digestion… you name it. You’re trying to recover, not sign up for more trouble! So, naturally, you wonder:
“Why didn’t my doctor warn me about this?”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me how to protect my gut?”
🦠 What Are Probiotics, Anyway?
Probiotics are live, friendly bacteria that help keep your gut balanced. Think of them as your gut’s little helpers, supporting digestion, immunity, and even your mood.
But here’s the catch: antibiotics, while lifesaving, don’t discriminate.
They’re likebleach for your microbiome, killing both the harmful and the beneficial bacteria.
So when you finish your course of antibiotics, you’re often left with an unbalanced gut.
That’s why so many people end up feeling bloated, low on energy, or with recurring infections.
So Why Don’t UK Doctors Prescribe Probiotics?
Let’s break it down.
1. The NHS Is (Still) Cautious
Despite countless studies showing that probiotics help prevent antibiotic-related diarrhoea and restore gut balance, the NHS hasn’t fully embraced them.
The official line? “More evidence needed.”
In reality, it’s bureaucracy, budgets, and outdated protocols slowing progress.
2. Ten-Minute Appointments
Most GP appointments are limited to ten minutes. There’s barely time to discuss your infection let alone your gut health.
And since probiotics aren’t part of standard NHS guidelines, many doctors simply skip the conversation.
3. Probiotics Are Classified as Food Supplements
This one’s a biggie. Because probiotics are seen as food supplements, not medicine, doctors can’t prescribe them on the NHS like antibiotics or painkillers.
They’re in a grey legal area, not regulated the same way, not held to the same standards. So even if your doctor wanted to recommend one, they might not know which brand or strain is reliable.
4. Cost and NHS Budgets
High-quality probiotics aren’t cheap.
Producing live bacteria that survive manufacturing, shipping, storage, and stomach acid is a complex science.
So, from a cost perspective, probiotics are often seen as “non-essential.”
The unspoken NHS logic? If you want it, buy it yourself, it’s over the counter.
The Quiet Exception
Here’s the twist: some NHS hospitals do recommend probiotics.
They’re often used for children, elderly patients, or those at risk of C. diff (a dangerous gut infection).
So the medical world clearly knows the benefits, it’s just not made its way into everyday GP practice… yet.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Gut
If your doctor doesn’t mention probiotics, it doesn’t mean they’re against them, they simply might not be allowed or have time to discuss them.
The good news? You can take charge of your gut health yourself.
Here’s how:
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Take a clean, high-quality probiotic supplement during and after antibiotics.
We love our partners G&G’s probiotic, you can find it on our website. -
Prefer food over supplements? Choose real, probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
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Combine them with prebiotic foods, fibre-rich ingredients that feed your good bacteria.
🌸 Bottom Line
Antibiotics save lives, but they also strip away your gut’s protective army.
Until the NHS updates its stance, it’s up to you to rebuild it.
Be your own advocate. Ask questions. Do your research.
And remember: Take care of your gut, and it will take care of you.
