The Probiotic Problem: Why “Just Take a Probiotic” Isn’t Always the Answer
By Dee Davidson, FDN-P
Walk down any supplement aisle or scroll social media for five minutes and you’ll hear the same message:
“Everyone needs a probiotic.”
But here’s the truth I see over and over again in practice:
Many people don’t need a probiotic — and some feel worse when they take one.
This isn’t because probiotics are “bad.”
It’s because random supplementation without understanding your gut terrain often creates more issues than it solves.
The Problem With Probiotic Marketing
Probiotics are marketed as:
A universal fix
Something you can take blindly
A shortcut to better digestion, immunity, and hormones
But the gut is not a one-size-fits-all ecosystem.
Adding bacteria without knowing what’s already living there is like planting seeds without checking the soil. Sometimes they thrive. Sometimes they don’t. And sometimes they make things worse.
Common Issues I See From Random Probiotic Use
In practice, I often work with clients who started probiotics hoping to “heal their gut” — and ended up with:
Increased bloating or gas
Constipation or diarrhea
Histamine reactions (anxiety, headaches, flushing)
Worsening reflux
Skin flares or breakouts
Feeling “off” or inflamed
These symptoms aren’t random. They’re signals that the microbiome environment wasn’t ready for what was added.
Not Everyone Needs Bacteria — Some Need Support First
Before adding bacteria, we need to ask:
Is there inflammation present?
Is digestion working properly?
Is stomach acid adequate?
Are bile flow and detox pathways supported?
Is there overgrowth already happening?
If the gut environment is inflamed, stagnant, or stressed, adding probiotics is often like throwing more people into a crowded room.
The result? Chaos, not balance.
Why Targeting Matters More Than Supplementing
The goal isn’t to “add bacteria.”
The goal is to restore balance.
That might mean:
Removing hidden stressors (infections, overgrowths, inflammation)
Supporting digestion and motility
Repairing the gut lining
Improving nutrient status
Only then does probiotic support — when needed — have a chance to work.
Test. Don’t Guess.
This is why I don’t blindly recommend probiotics.
A GI stool test allows us to see:
What bacteria are present (and which are missing)
Whether there’s bacterial or fungal overgrowth
Inflammation and immune activity
Digestive enzyme output
Short-chain fatty acid production
With real data, we can decide:
If probiotics are even needed
Which strains are appropriate
Whether food, herbs, or lifestyle changes are a better first step
Random supplementation often creates confusion. Targeted support creates clarity.
Order a proper GI Stool Test & consultation by emailing Dee@confidentlyloveyourself.com
The Environment Determines Whether Probiotics Work
Even the best probiotic won’t help if the environment isn’t supportive.
For probiotics to work, the gut needs:
Adequate stomach acid
Proper bile flow
Regular bowel movements
Low inflammatory burden
A regulated nervous system
If those pieces aren’t in place, probiotics often don’t “stick” — or they cause symptoms.
Healing isn’t about force. It’s about capacity.
Probiotics can be helpful — when they’re used intentionally.
But they’re not:
A universal solution
A shortcut to gut health
Something everyone should be on long-term
Your gut is unique. Your microbiome deserves personalized care.
If you’re struggling with digestive symptoms or have tried probiotics without success, the next step isn’t more supplements — it’s understanding what your gut actually needs.
Test. Don’t guess.
About Dee Davidson, FDN-P
Dee Davidson is a Board-Certified Functional Health Practitioner, hormone and thyroid specialist, and the creator of the Confidently Balance Your Hormones podcast. She helps women in midlife and beyond uncover the root causes of fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, gut issues, and hormonal imbalances using functional labs, science-backed strategies, and nervous system regulation.
Dee’s work centers around empowering women to finally feel safe, seen, supported, and confident in their bodies — without restriction, overwhelm, or confusion.