The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic, delicate ecosystem, constantly balancing a variety of factors to maintain health. When this balance shifts too far in one direction, the balance tips, leading to a range of vaginal health issues.
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The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic, delicate ecosystem, constantly balancing a variety of factors to maintain health. When this balance shifts too far in one direction, the balance tips, leading to a range of vaginal health issues.
Many women struggle to understand what’s happening in their bodies, especially when it comes to vaginal health. Despite plenty of surfing the net and reading, the pot of knowledge remains only partially filled, or worse, filled with myths and confusion. With research in this area still evolving, topics like Vaginal Dysbiosis often fly under the radar.
Vaginal dysbiosis happens when the natural balance of the vaginal microbiome is disrupted. Think of your vagina as a bustling city where bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms are the residents. When everything’s in balance, the city runs smoothly. But when an individual species takes over, it’s like an unruly mob throwing the whole place into chaos. Conditions like bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), known as thrush, are the most common results of this imbalance.
Every vagina is unique and so is its delicate microbiome. A variety of factors such as hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, mental health, and more, interact in a constant dance to maintain a healthy vaginal environment. But sometimes, things go awry, and it leaves us wondering: who let the mob in?
Key life milestones like puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, are all accompanied by different levels of the hormone, estrogen. For example, increased levels of estrogen have been shown to promote the growth of lactobacilli, the beneficial bacteria that help keep the vagina healthy - which is why estrogen is generally perceived as a promoter of a healthy vaginal environment However, in some cases, increased estrogen levels can trigger an increase in Candida species, which may lead to yeast infections, also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) or thrush.
Wait, what? Isn’t that contradictory?
Well, it's not just the levels of estrogen that solely dictates the balance of the microorganisms in your vagina. As the old saying goes, "Your mouth is the mirror of your body," and the same can be said for the vagina.
The vagina gives a peek into one’s overall health, and there is a need for a fine balance in its microbial community. This balance can be easily disrupted by external factors such as psychosocial stress, poor dietary habits leading to deficiencies in vitamins, folate, and calcium, as well as obesity, intrauterine device (IUD) use, and smoking.
Increased moisture and sweating in the vulvar area can also disrupt the balance of microbial species and raise the risk of vulvovaginal infections. On the other hand , over-cleaning, scrubbing too vigorously, vaginal douching or using soaps and feminine hygiene products that promise to keep the vulva "clean and fresh" can actually upset the natural pH and irritate the vulvovaginal area.
Another contributor to the chaos is antibiotic treatment. Taking antibiotics to eliminate bacterial infection can do more harm than good. Antibiotics can deplete Lactobacillus species, giving rise to microorganisms, such as Candida spp., that take advantage of the disappearance of these protective species.
Lastly, genetics is a factor that plays a significant role when it comes to the wellbeing and composition of the vaginal microbiome. Actually, researchers have noted that women from North America, Japan and Europe have a lactobacilli dominated microbiome, while African and Hispanic women have more diverse microorganisms and thus a microbiome with less lactobacilli.
To maintain optimal vaginal health, it’s important to understand your body, steer clear of enticing myths that can lead you astray and be cautious with commercial products that can have many reasons to try to convince you about something. Be careful with social media advice as well - while it’s filled with well-meaning advice, always take it with a pinch of salt (or maybe a whole shaker!).
Remember, not every day will be a walk in the park; some days, the "mob" of life can throw you off balance. But that’s okay! The key is to dust yourself off, reclaim your equilibrium, and keep moving forward. Your vaginal health journey is just that - a journey filled with ups, downs, and the occasional plot twist. But hopefully, understanding and help can ease the journey and boost your confidence a little.
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