Your Vaginal Microbiome is Unique
Your vagina, like your gut, has a unique microbiome. However, unlike the gut where a diverse array of bacteria is beneficial, too many different types of bacteria in the vagina can be detrimental to your health. The optimal composition of friendly bacteria in the vagina typically includes specific lactobacillus species, which produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide and keep the vaginal pH at a healthy level of less than 4.5. This helps inhibit pathogens and prevent conditions such as candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.
The composition of the vaginal microbiome can vary depending on factors such as ethnicity, genetics, medications, sexual routines and partners, and environmental exposures like sanitary aids and lubricants.
Hormonal changes throughout life, such as pregnancy or menopause, can also greatly affect the vaginal microbiome. A healthy level of estrogen promotes the health of the cells that line the vaginal tract and the production of glycogen (a primary fuel source for lactobacillus dominance). Low estrogen states, often seen just prior to menstruation or during peri/menopause, can promote bacterial diversity, potentially increasing vaginal infections and conditions such as dyspareunia (pain during intercourse).
Assessment of the vaginal microbiome is straightforward. Our naturopath can provide a special test kit (and explain how to use it!) which you then use in the comfort of your home. Tracking symptoms, i.e., discharge (symptom tracker/app) and vaginal pH (i.e., a litmus paper test) over a menstrual cycle can also identify areas of concern and help target treatment therapy.
A recent Lotus Health and Psychology patient, a 24 year old female, presented with a watery discharge, severe burning and such discomfort during intercourse that she was unable to have sex. She was referred to our naturopath by her gynaecologist. She had experienced recurrent BV and Candidiasis after long-term antibiotic therapy for acne. Despite her most recent vaginal swab returning “normal”, our naturopath prescribed herbal antimicrobials to “crowd out” pathogens and fungal infections, and prescribed two probiotics to re-establish colonies in the patient’s vaginal microbiome. Within 4 weeks, her patient had returned to intercourse without pain or burning and the vaginal discharge had cleared.
It's important to note that certain pathogens in the vagina can be antibiotic-resistant, which can make treatment more difficult. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal infection, is linked to many other conditions, including pelvic inflammatory disease. Even with successful treatment, recurrence is common. Candidiasis, or ‘thrush,’ is another common vaginal infection that can be caused by fluctuations in hormones and other factors.
To maintain healthy vaginal microbiome, it's essential to re-establish lactobacillus dominance and maintain the correct vaginal pH. Our naturopath is skilled in identifying challenges to vaginal microbiome and supporting restoration with diet, lifestyle and carefully selected strain-specific probiotic therapy and/possibly selective antimicrobial therapy (usually plant-based medicine).