The Other Microbiome and Your Vaginal Health

I would like you to grab a cup of your favourite, sit back and have a read about vaginal health. Today I wanted to introduce a not so often spoken out loud topic, but one that is core and important to us all.  I want to talk about it in case you are experiencing symptoms and don’t know where to turn to get help, and to let you know that relief is possible.  This is important for me, it is why I do what I do, I want you to know that you can be well, whatever the circumstances might be, I am here to walk with you to wellness. 

The Background Story

Did you know that all surfaces of our body, inside and out, are covered in microbes of one form or another? Both true and essential. Bacterias are part of our natural ecosystem, they are needed to keep us healthy, and these collections of microbes are called ‘microbiomes’. There is now also research into the virome, the viruses and how we live harmoniously with some, but today I want to focus on bacterias.

We have a gut microbiome, skin microbiome, oral microbiome, and when in balance these bacterias keep us well. Our gut microbiome, specifically the lining of our intestines, diversity of the different bacterias is key to maintain balance and provide the first line of protection against invading pathogenic microbes. When the trillions of bacterias are disturbed and imbalance occurs, dysbiosis results and we are then susceptible to infections and maldigetsion of foods. Digestive symptoms often then occur - bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea.

Vaginal Health

The other microbiome is the microbiome within the vagina that keeps us safe and protected from the outside world. The research into the vaginal microbiome is showing that it is primarily the Lactobacillus species of bacteria that inhabits the vagina. And the Lactobacilli work perfectly for us as they maintain an acidic pH within this vaginal environment, protecting the vagina from infection and microbial imbalance.  

When microbial imbalance does occur and the pH changes there is the opportunity for infections to become seated within the vagina resulting in some very unpleasant symptoms and affecting quality of life - discharge, itchiness, redness, painful sex, odour. Unfortunately this can also lead to psychosomatic symptoms as our perception of our health and sexuality can be altered carrying feelings of embarrassment, shame, frustration and uncleanliness.

So What Can Cause this Imbalance?

This list is not exhaustive but highlights and explains how the balance can be shifted.

• Introduced pathogenic bacterias when inserting tampons, menstrual cups, sexual activity, lubricants

• Dietary - diets high in sugar and processed foods, not enough fresh foods to provide beneficial nutrients

• Antibiotic use

• Menopause

• Douching, creams, fragrances

• Multiple sexual partners

Maintaining Vaginal Wellness

We are all unique and our health pictures are all very individual. There is no one fix for all, but there are ways to assist the body naturally to maintain the necessary pH level for good vaginal health. Below are a few practices for vaginal wellness:

• never douching, and not applying creams and perfumes to genital area, avoiding certain lubricants

• practicing safe sex, and avoiding sexual activities if experiencing symptoms as sexual activities can stress a microbial environment

• Eating sources of Lactobacilli yoghurt, fermented foods - sauerkraut

• Good hygiene practices - natural fibre underwear, avoid soaps and washes, choose natural organic sanitary items, a natural cleanser for menstrual cups.

To get the vaginal pH back on track is all dependent on what is going on for you. Do you have an active infection that needs to be cleared? what stage of life are you at? Do you need digestive and dietary help?  These are all part of the investigations I undertake to work out the best treatment for you. The treatments will then vary depending on what is uncovered and may include specific pessaries or medicinal washes made for you, or dietary advice.

So, this is just a little intro to vaginal wellness, because we all want happy and healthy vaginas don’t we? Because it is so annoying when something is not quite right down there.

If you need to talk more and have some questions, please call or email and let’s work out how I can help you.