Vagina Health
You might think you are suffering alone with these issues but you would be surprised how common they are.
“Without a healthy vagina ecosystem, disease can occur.”
There has been a lot of talk in the past couple of years about the importance of your gut microbiota and it’s influence on our health. This is a huge area of interest of mine. What is just as important is the microbiome of our vaginas. Without a healthy vagina ecosystem, disease can occur which can cause all kinds of annoying diseases in many people, Candida species is a very common complaint but not the only one. You might think you are suffering alone with these issues but you would be surprised how common they can actually be and with some simple, very successful and quite inexpensive treatments available.
Our vagina ecosystems are dominated by many lactobacillus species, which are capable of producing anti microbial compounds such as hydrogen peroxide. This helps to maintain an optimal vagina pH to ward off infections. Lactobacilli are capable of creating a mucous barrier to ward off unwanted pathogens. When these unwanted pathogens are present in larger amounts, we become susceptible to candida, bacteria vaginosis, recurring urinary tract infections, Group B Streptococcus, Vulvodynia or Lichen sclerosis.
What can cause vagina dysbiosis (an imbalanced ecosystem)?
Antibiotic use
Use of spermicides
Over vagina washing/douching especially with perfumes
Use of diaphragms
Hormonal changes during menopause
Increased frequency of intercourse (sperm is capable of inhibiting the anti microbial actions of the hydrogen peroxide and sperm is also alkaline where we need an acidic vagina.
Candida (Thrush)
Signs and symptoms may include;
Itchy vulva/vagina
Pain or burning
Vulvar redness and/or swelling
Painful urination
Increased vaginal discharge, which may be white or yellow
Natural treatments can be very effective in eradicating even the most stubborn cases of candida, especially if it is recurring.
Treatments may include prebiotics, probiotics, herbal medicine and/or vaginal pessaries, douches or sitz baths. It’s important that the correct probiotics strains are used; otherwise there will be no improvement.
Herbal medicines that have been shown to be effective include oregano oil, green tea and pomegranate husk.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Increased risk of having recurring urinary tract infections include;
Use of spermicides
Lack of correct vagina microbiome
Use of antibiotics
New sex partners
Frequent intercourse
Successful treatments may include some of the following depending on your personal situation.
Prebiotics such as lactulose
Probiotics especially, lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-I and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14.
D-Mannose powder
Cranberry juice
Herbal medicine such as Crataeva, buchu, juniper, marshmallow and others.
Bacterial Vaginosis
This occurs when the normal vaginal lactobacilli are replaced by a variety of bacteria and mycoplasmas. Essentially there is a disruption in the ecosystem. Bacterial vaginosis is often misdiagnosed as candida.
Common signs and symptoms include;
Fishy smelly discharge
Off white, thick discharge
Some women may only present with a white discharge
Bacterial vaginosis frequently occurs post-antibiotic use. It’s important to have it diagnosed properly as complications may increase the risk of;
Premature rupture of the membranes
Premature birth
Low weight babies
Miscarriage during the first trimester
Treatment may include;
Probiotics such as lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-I and Lactobacillus reuterii RC-14 (oral and vaginal dosing)
Hydrogen peroxide vaginal wash
Vitamin C, intravaginally
