Millions of These are Responsible for Vaginal Health. What are They?
A healthy vaginal microbiome is composed of 90% “good” bacteria, primarily of the Lactobacilli family, with the species Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus iners being in greatest abundance.
Why is this important?
These “good” bacteria help the vagina to self-clean and fight off infection by producing lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide which maintains a pH of 3.5.
In this acidic environment, it is difficult–if not impossible–for bacteria to bind to epithelial cells and pathogens such as E. coli, candida and Staph to grow.
However, this vaginal environment is a fragile one and can get disrupted by any host of environmental and lifestyle factors, causing the pH to rise and the vaginal biome to enter a dangerous state of “dysbiosis”, or imbalance, increasing the risk of diseases like STI’s, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and ovarian cancer. There are some common reasons for Vaginal Dysbiosis.
Also in News
How can I avoid getting vaginitis?
Everyone’s body is different, so the things that lead to vaginitis for some people don’t always cause problems for others. But in general, anything that changes the chemical balance in your vagina can lead to vaginitis.
Allergic reactions or sensitivity to different products, materials, or activities can also cause vaginitis. Here […]
7 Things to Do After Sex to Keep Your Vagina Happy
1. Pee after sex if you’re prone to UTIs
Women who suffer from regular UTIs should use the bathroom after sex, recommends Dr Alyssa Dweck, a gynae from Westchester, NY, and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V. “When you have intercourse, bacteria from the rectum […]
8 Ways to Naturally Restore your Vaginal pH Balance
These are some of the ways you can keep your vaginal pH balanced.
Probiotics: Probiotics are part of the normal flora in the body, including the vagina. When they are out of balance, harmful bacteria or yeast can arise and cause infection.
Garlic: Garlic is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. […]