Women's vaginal health

Three Easy Steps to a Healthy Vagina

You’re probably pretty aware on the gut microbiome, but did you know the vagina has its own unique community of good bacteria? This feminine flora (also known as bacteria or microbes) has a profoundly protective influence when it comes to urogenital health. In fact, evidence shows that an abundance of beneficial bacteria can support healthy conception,¹ protect against bacterial vaginosis² and vulvovaginal candidiasis (i.e. thrush)², also helping minimise other conditions of the reproductive tract.³ To support vaginal health, we’ve shared three steps to help you nurture your vaginal microbiome.

1. Learn About the Importance of Lactobacilli

A healthy vagina has high levels of lactobacilli (a specific family of probiotic strains), which helps maintain a balance of beneficial microbial species within intimate areas.¹ These protective bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid, which keep the vaginal pH at an optimal 3.8 to 4.5. In addition, lactobacilli also produce antimicrobial compounds known as bacteriocins to help fight off infection. Collectively, these bacterial by-products help prevent the growth of infectious bacteria before they can cause harm. ⁴ ⁵ It’s amazing how the natural balance of vaginal flora can provide such protection! Considering this, reduced levels of lactobacilli can cause various problems, including an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal dysbiosis and thrush.² ⁶ Therefore, it’s crucial to limit disruptions to the female microbiome to maintain a healthy balance of lactobacilli.

2. Consider Disruptive Factors that Impact Vaginal Health

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The vaginal microbiome can be affected by several factors. Most commonly, individuals can experience disruptions in response to antibiotic use, fluctuating oestrogen levels (e.g., hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause) and exposure factors including sexual activity and products designed for vaginal use.

These elements influence vaginal health in various ways. For instance, while antibiotics eliminate harmful bacteria, they may also eradicate beneficial lactobacilli.⁷ This can lead to an increased risk of infection due to changes in the protective pH of the vagina. Antibiotics are a wonder of modern medicine and should be used as prescribed by your general practitioner, pharmacist or other healthcare provider. Thankfully, you can easily support your vaginal microbiome when taking antibiotics by increasing your intake of probiotic-rich foods or including a quality probiotic supplement in your regime.

Increases in oestrogen levels (e.g. due to some hormonal contraceptives³ and in pregnancy⁴) can increase the concentration of natural sugars (i.e. glycogen) in vaginal secretions, which can boost the growth of pathogens (illness-causing microbes). During menopause, less oestrogen comes with diminished glycogen levels, which can disturb healthy pH and contribute to the onset of vaginal infections.⁸

In some individuals, increased sugar availability can promote Candida albicans proliferation and ignite angry thrush symptoms – especially if lactobacilli levels are low.

Lastly, exposure factors can also sway the balance of vaginal flora. For example, male ejaculate can neutralise vaginal pH for several hours after sex,⁹ while the use of intimate products (e.g. lubricants, sex toys and feminine-hygiene products) can also disrupt the vaginal pH and the normal composition of the vaginal microbiome.¹⁰ While these factors are temporary in nature, they can still cause flora disruption.

3. Boost Vaginal Lactobacilli to Restore Balance

There are specific probiotics that help support vaginal lactobacilli levels and taking a tailored probiotic supplement may assist in restoring balance to bacteria within the vaginal microbiome. The probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GR-1™) and Lactobacillus reuteri (RC-14™), have been found to restore vaginal lactobacilli ¹¹-¹⁶ and when combined with liquorice root extract (GutGard® liquorice), can help soothe mucosal inflammation and reduce the growth of urogenital pathogens. UltraFlora Women's Probiotic contains the triple action therapy of GR-1™ and RC-14™ combined with GutGard® liquorice, to help restore the female microbiome and support vaginal health.

Looking for additional women’s health support? Read our article on the 5 best supplements for women’s health or explore our range of quality women’s health supplements.

References:

  1. Vitale SG, Ferrari F, Ciebiera M, et al. The role of genital tract microbiome in fertility: a systematic review. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;23(1):180. doi:10.3390/ijms23010180
  2. Zangl I, Pap IJ, Aspöck C, Schüller C. The role of Lactobacillus species in the control of Candida via biotrophic interactions. Microb Cell. 2019;7(1):1-14. doi:10.15698/mic2020.01.702
  3. Cohen, K, Powderly, W, Opal, S, Calandra, T, Clumeck, N, Farrar, J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 4th edn. Brighton (UK):Elsevier; 2017
  4. Korenek P, Britt R, Hawkins C. Differentiation of the vaginoses-bacterial vaginosis, lactobacillosis, and cytolytic vaginosis. Int J Adv Nurs Pract. 2003;6(1):1-10.
  5. Donders GG, Bellen G, Grinceviciene S, Ruban K, Vieira-Baptista P. Aerobic vaginitis: no longer a stranger. Res Microbiol. 2017 Nov – Dec;168(9-10):845-858. doi: 10.1016/j.resmic.2017.04.004
  6. Harmanli O, GY C, Nyirjesy P, Chatwani A, JP G. Urinary tract infections in women with bacterial vaginosis. Obstetrics Gynecol. 2000;95(5):710-712. doi:10.1097/00006250-200005000-00015
  7. Clinical Key. Elsevier; 2020. Bacterial vaginosis. Updated April 23, 2020. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com.au
  8. Kalia N, Singh J, Kaur M. Microbiota in vaginal health and pathogenesis of recurrent vulvovaginal infections: a critical review. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2020;19(1):5. doi:10.1186/s12941-020-0347-4
  9. Leppäluoto PA. Bacterial vaginosis: what is physiological in vaginal bacteriology? An update and opinion. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scandi. 2011 Dec;90(12):1302-6. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01279.x
  10. Marrazzo JM, Thomas KK, Agnew K, Ringwood K. Prevalence and risks for bacterial vaginosis in women who have sex with women. STD. 2010 May;37(5):335-339.
  11. Reid G, Charbonneau D, Erb J, et al. Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR‐1 and L. fermentum RC‐14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomized, placebo‐controlled trial in 64 healthy women. Fems Immunol Medical Microbiol. 2003;35(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/s0928-8244(02)00465-0
  12. Vujic G, Knez AJ, Stefanovic VD, Vrbanovic VK. Efficacy of orally applied probiotic capsules for bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal infections: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Obstet Gyn R B. 2013;168(1):75-79. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.12.031
  13. Anukam K, Osazuwa E, Ahonkhai I, et al. Augmentation of antimicrobial metronidazole therapy of bacterial vaginosis with oral probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14: randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Microbes Infect. 2006;8(6):1450-1454. doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2006.01.003
  14. Homayouni A, Bastani P, Ziyadi S, et al. Effects of probiotics on the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. J Low Genit Tract Di. 2014;18(1):79-86. doi:10.1097/lgt.0b013e31829156ec
  15. Reid G, Bruce AW. Urogenital infections in women: can probiotics help? Postgrad Med J. 2003;79(934):428. doi:10.1136/pmj.79.934.428
  16. Younes JA, Lievens E, Hummelen R, Westen R van der, Reid G, Petrova MI. Women and their microbes: the unexpected friendship. Trends Microbiol. 2018;26(1):16-32. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2017.07.008
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