Did you know that vaginal bacteria plays a key role in intimate health? Most women are not aware of this reality, and as a result, they don’t know how to manage and balance vaginal bacteria to be healthy. This article takes a look at what constitutes healthy vaginal bacteria and how to keep it balanced.
The Basics of Vaginal Bacteria
The vagina has over 30+ strains of bacteria and other microorganisms. This combination of microorganisms is known as the vaginal microflora or vaginal microbiome. When the vagina is healthy it is dominated by ‘good’ bacteria known as lactobacilli.
The Importance Of Healthy Vaginal Bacteria
Lactobacilli are the gatekeepers of the vaginal microflora. They produce lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other chemicals that maintain the acidic pH of the vagina, which is somewhere between 3.5 and 4.5.
The acidic environment of the vagina is a natural barrier against the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria and provides a defense against pathogens. Lactobacilli bacteria make the lactic acid so if their numbers are low the pH rises and the bad bacteria will likely multiply and eventually cause an infection. This can alter the characteristics of the vaginal secretions and trigger various symptoms including, pain, itching, soreness, unusual discharge, and burning.
How to Manage and Balance Your Vaginal Bacteria
There are a variety of factors that can disrupt the bacterial makeup of the vaginal microflora. For example, douching can interfere with pH levels and reduce acidity in the vagina.
Fowler GYN International (FGI) recommends undergoing a VFA test to see how well maturated the squamous cells are is the best way to manage vaginal health.
The FeminaRx Pure Skincare Collection is a set of hypocontactant skincare products. The Collection does not contain dyes, fragrances, or chemicals that can irritate the vaginal tissues and disrupt the balance of bacteria.