Why You Should Care About Your Vaginal Microbiome

Source: Microbiome Labs

If you’ve ever had a yeast infection, you’ve come to understand the power of the vaginal microbiome (whether you realized or not).

First off, let me just say that I love we are talking about and researching women’s health more than we ever have before in history.

The vulva and the vagina, in particular, have not been focused on as vital parts of women’s overall health. Instead, we’ve generally gone in there and blown up the place when something like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or UTIs appear.

But similar to the gut microbiome, starting war by trying to annihilate the bacteria living there is going to cause long-term repercussions, often setting up recurring infections, rather than eliminating them.

It’s also going to impact areas you may not know are connected to the vaginal microbiome, like fertility issues, pregnancy outcomes, inflammatory conditions such as PCOS & fibroids, and perimenopause & menopause.

It’s time to consider what root cause issues are allowing infections to incur in the first place, so we know how to treat them in a way that won’t bring them back a few months down the road.

Why The Vaginal Microbiome Is Important

There’s many roles that the vaginal microbiome plays, some of which you probably already know, and some might be new to you. Here’s some of the most important ones:

 

❤️ 1. Protects Against Infections

• The dominant bacteria in a healthy vaginal microbiome are Lactobacillus species (though maybe not the lactobacillus you’ve heard of! We’ll talk more in the next article about which strains are the most important, and how they fit into different Community State Types). These bacteria produce lactic acid, which keeps the vaginal pH between 3.8 and 4.5—an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of harmful pathogens.
• They also produce hydrogen peroxide and antimicrobial compounds, further protecting against bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yes, you read that right – while a healthy vaginal microbiome can’t 100% protect you against STIs, the compounds produced by the most important lactobacillus strains inhibit STIs ability to adhere.

⚖️ 2. Reproductive and Pregnancy Health

• A balanced vaginal microbiome is linked to better fertility outcomes. Imbalances, like an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, can negatively affect sperm motility and viability, as well as increase the chance of bacterial vaginosis, which is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes.
• During pregnancy, a healthy vaginal microbiome reduces the risk of preterm birth and other complications.

❤️ 3. Immune System Support

• The vaginal microbiome interacts with the local immune system, helping it distinguish between harmful and harmless microbes, thus preventing inflammation and infection.

⚖️ 4. Hormonal Balance and Menstrual Health

• Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can impact the vaginal microbiome. Estrogen, for example, promotes glycogen production, which feeds Lactobacillus and maintains vaginal health. Moving into menopause and not taking Estrogen BHRT means that there will be less glycogen production, so there’s less food for lactobacillus to survive.

❤️ 5. Prevention of Dysbiosis

• When bacterial balance is disrupted (dysbiosis), harmful bacteria can overgrow, leading to conditions like BV, yeast infections, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Dysbiosis is also associated with an increased risk of HPV and pelvic inflammatory disease.

The vaginal microbiome is HIGHLY impacted by:

• Antibiotics (which kills lactobacillus early and often)
• Hormonal birth control
• Douches
• Pesticides in non-organic tampons
• Scented soaps and harsh cleansers
• Non-breathable fabrics

All of these things can increase your risk of vaginal dysbiosis, and the issues that arise from the condition.

Ways To Support Your Vaginal Microbiome

There are lots of ways to support a healthy vaginal microbiome, as well as get to a healthy place if you’ve dealt with recurring vaginal conditions. Here’s just a few:

⚖️ 1. Support Healthy Bacteria

• Probiotics: Eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi can support overall microbiome health, including the vaginal flora. Probiotic supplements, especially those with Lactobacillus strains, are also a fantastic idea for every woman, whether currently dealing with a vaginal issue or not. My favorite is Vaginal Balance from Microbiome Labs:

• Prebiotics: Foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, feed beneficial bacteria. A great supplement that is useful for fiber is MegaPrebiotic (after taking care of opportunistic bacteria).

❤️ 2. Practice Good Hygiene (But Not Overdoing It!)

• Gentle Cleansing: Wash the vulva (external area) with warm water or a mild, fragrance-free soap. Avoid douching, as it can disrupt the natural pH and bacterial balance.
• Wipe Front to Back: This prevents the spread of bacteria from the rectal area to the vagina.
• Change Period Products Regularly: Whether using tampons, pads, or menstrual cups, regular changing reduces the risk of bacterial overgrowth.

⚖️ 3. Choose Breathable Fabrics

• Wear cotton (organic, if possible) underwear and avoid tight, non-breathable clothing, which can trap moisture and create an environment for harmful bacteria to thrive.

❤️ 4. Support Hormones

• Estrogen helps maintain vaginal health by promoting glycogen production, which feeds Lactobacillus.

⚖️ 5. Practice Safe Sex

• Using condoms can protect against STIs that may disrupt the microbiome. After intercourse, urinating and gentle cleansing can further prevent bacterial transfer.

❤️ 6. Be Mindful of Antibiotics and Medications

• Antibiotics can kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, potentially leading to an imbalance. If you need to take antibiotics, use a probiotic supplement alongside them to protect your microbiome.

⚖️ 7. Maintain Overall Health

• A healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep, and stress management all contribute to a healthy immune system, which supports microbiome balance.

There’s more to supporting your vaginal microbiome, specifically through the gut-vagina axis. We’ll talk more about that next time, as well as Community State Types and how to test your vaginal microbiome.