Microbiome 101: The Foundation of Vaginal Health
But first, what exactly is a microbiome?
The microbiome refers to the collection of organisms (this includes fungi, bacteria and viruses) living in a particular environment (Such as on your skin, your gut or your vagina!). The variety of organisms and the balance of each organism play a very important role in the health of the environment they are living in, and each microbiome is different and unique. Within the vagina, there are a few strains of Lactobacilli that produce lactic acid, which gives the vagina its characteristic low pH.
Why is our microbiome so important for vaginal health?
The presence of these commensal (good) microbes is important as they help the body with certain biological processes. However, the body and the microbiome can only live in symbiosis if there is an optimum balance in the levels of these microorganisms. This balance is susceptible to many external factors such as pH change, medication or even diet, so it is important to keep it in check. If there is a dysbiosis in the microbiome, certain diseases or infections may manifest. This may cause odours, discomfort or itching on various parts of the body.
Here are a few ways to help maintain this healthy balance for optimal vaginal health:
Prebiotics
They refer to the food source that commensal bacteria can feed on to maintain healthy levels.
Probiotics
These refer to live organisms that are introduced into the body to help rebalance the microbiome.
Correct environment
Tt is important to keep the environment suitable for commensal bacteria to grow. For example the pH should be maintained at around 3.8 - 4.5 as that is the optimum pH for the vaginal microbiome to exist in(1).
Reduce antimicrobials.
Ingredients that have a strong non-discriminatory antimicrobial activity can kill commensal bacteria, which will disrupt the microbiome balance.
Vaginal health and microbiomes? They’re a complex topic.
But understanding and nurturing your vaginal microbiome is not just about maintaining intimate health; it's a vital part of your overall wellbeing.
By choosing products that support this delicate balance, like a water-based lubricant enriched with prebiotics and designed to complement the natural pH of the vagina, you take an active step toward the maintenance of the body.
Our water-based lube d has been certified with MyMicrobiome to show that it is friendly to the Lactobacillus strains commonly found in the vagina. The pH levels are adjusted to match the more acidic end of the scale to ensure we provide the correct environment for a healthy vaginal microbiome.
Interested in trying it out? Discover the benefits yourself