Dr. Sonal Pendharkar Kulkarni (Ph.D.) is a dedicated research scientist with an entrepreneurial mindset, committed to advancing women's health and wellbeing through innovative solutions. She earned her PhD in Medical Science from the prestigious Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, where her research focused on the vaginal microbiome in both Scandinavian and South African women. Through her research, Sonal has explored the impact of combining probiotics with standard & extended antimicrobial treatments for vaginal dysbiosis in highly recurrent cases, examining cure rates, prevention/delayed relapse, and engineering microbes to produce antiviral nanobodies. Currently, Sonal is channeling her extensive knowledge of the vaginal microbiome and her experience in healthcare technology and clinical trials into her work and driving the development of non-pharmacological treatments for vaginal infections at UVISA. Sonal herself has peer reviewed publications to her name and also contributes to the academic community by reviewing manuscripts pro bono, providing critical evaluations to maintain research quality leading to published articles. She has served as a scientific reviewer for PloS ONE, Frontiers in Physiology and JARG (Springer Nature).
Your vaginal microbiome is a delicate ecosystem. When it’s in balance and thriving, it protects you from infection and supports your overall health. But when that careful balance is disrupted, it can’t function the way it’s supposed to, leading to a whole host of challenges.
When it comes to vaginal health, there’s no shortage of advice online — some of it helpful, but much of it’s misleading or just plain wrong. With endless information at our fingertips, it can be tough to tell what's accurate and what's just another myth. Let’s break down some of the most common misconceptions about vaginal health and separate the facts from fiction.
Antibiotics are the go-to treatment for vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) but they’re far from the perfect solution. Many women find themselves stuck in a frustrating cycle of temporary relief, annoying side effects and recurring infections.
