How to maintain the balance of your vaginal flora?

The balance of vaginal flora is a health issue for many women. It thus influences many aspects, such as vaginal dryness, pain linked to sexual relations, and even fertility. However, it can be easily disrupted: pregnancy, childbirth and menopause have a strong impact on the vaginal flora, while diseases and their treatments can also upset its balance. To maintain the balance of your vaginal flora throughout your life, several treatments and actions exist. At the head of the Gapianne e-concept store, dedicated to well-being and intimate comfort since 2020, we specialize in intimate dryness and the balance of the vaginal flora is a subject that particularly interests us. In the following article, we offer you not only advice but also treatments and products to maintain the balance of your vaginal flora on a daily basis.

Reminder of what the vaginal flora is

Also called vaginal microbiota , Doderlein flora or intimate flora , the vaginal flora is a set of microorganisms naturally present within the vagina. It develops at the start of puberty and lines the vaginal mucosa and protects the body against intrusions and the development of pathogenic germs, such as bacteria and fungi.

The micro-organisms of the vaginal flora are mainly bacteria that could be commonly described as “good” or “bad” for the body. It is their balance that makes for a healthy vaginal flora: the “good” bacteria, lactobacilli, must represent 90% of the vaginal microbiota.

The composition of the vaginal flora changes throughout life depending on different factors: hormones, lifestyle, diseases, periods of life, etc.

✋ Do not confuse vaginal flora and intestinal flora. As the name intestinal flora indicates, it is the set of microorganisms present in the intestine. Its regulation is also essential but has nothing to do with that of the vaginal flora.

What is healthy vaginal flora?

Healthy vaginal flora is vaginal flora that fulfills its role of protecting the vaginal mucosa on a daily basis. It is made up of 90% good bacteria , lactobacilli . How do you know if you have healthy vaginal flora? Beyond the study of the bacteria in your vaginal flora, several symptoms can allow you to be reassured about its proper functioning:

• You have a well-hydrated vagina: healthy vaginal flora contributes to the good hydration of the vulva and vagina. If you do not have the feeling that your vulva is tight or that your vagina is dry and you do not need lubricant during sexual intercourse or masturbation, all the lights are green: your vaginal flora seems healthy ! Conversely, if you feel intimate dryness or a lack of lubrication during penetrative sex, it is likely that your intimate flora is unbalanced: we will talk about this later.

Also read: Comparison of the best products to moisturize a vulva >

• Your white discharge is normal: throughout your menstrual cycle, white discharge , including cervical mucus , changes in texture and color. If your vaginal flora is healthy, your discharge will generally be thick and whitish at the start of your cycle, viscous and translucent, liquid during ovulation , and thick and yellowish just before your period. You may also notice some traces of blood in your discharge (they will then be brown or pink), just after your period, during ovulation or before your period. On the other hand, greenish or blue vaginal discharge that smells particularly strong is one of the symptoms of vaginal conditions (mycoses, STIs, etc.).

The intimate flora is very fragile

The balance of the intimate flora is unfortunately particularly fragile. Many factors can destabilize it and lead to rather unpleasant consequences.

The causes of an imbalance in the flora

The causes of an imbalance in the vaginal flora are multiple. Some are up to you–some not at all.

• Genetics: as is often the case in health, genetics and heredity are factors that can contribute to causing imbalances in the vaginal flora. If the women in your family often have problems in this area, it is possible that you have the same problems. Along the same lines, it is possible that you are fragile in this part of your body – where others suffer from sore throats and gastrointestinal problems;
• Hygiene: uncontrolled intimate hygiene can cause bad bacteria to build up in your vagina, contributing to disrupting the balance of the vaginal flora. Please note here: vaginal douching and the use of scented soaps in this area of ​​the body can generate an imbalance in the vaginal flora;
• Moments of life: periods, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can lead, due to the hormonal disturbances they cause, to an imbalance in the vaginal flora;
• Sexual intercourse: sperm that remains in the vagina following sexual intercourse can unbalance the good and bad bacteria in the vaginal flora. It has a more basic pH than the vaginal flora (more acidic) and can lead to the multiplication of bad bacteria;
• Diseases and medical treatments: diseases and the medical treatments that are sometimes associated with them can cause a disruption of the vaginal flora. If you observe this symptom following medical treatment, it may be important to discuss it with your doctor;
• Lifestyle: your lifestyle can have the effect of unbalancing the vaginal flora. Consumption of alcohol, caffeine or even tobacco, as well as travel, lack of sleep or an unbalanced diet can have a negative impact.

Symptoms

The symptoms of an unbalanced vaginal flora are, as you might imagine, the opposite of the symptoms that indicate a healthy vaginal flora:

• Do you suffer from intimate dryness: your vulva and vagina are dry, you have a feeling of tightness and the friction with your clothes is uncomfortable or even painful? These are symptoms of intimate dryness and, most certainly, of an unbalanced vaginal flora;

Also read: How to treat intimate dryness naturally >

• Penetrative sex is painful: penetration causes pain , especially when it lasts because of friction? It is also a symptom of intimate dryness and unbalanced vaginal flora, which no longer fulfills its role of hydrating the vagina and vulva;
• You seem infertile: Unbalanced vaginal flora can also be the cause of infertility. Indeed, a healthy vaginal flora, populated with lactobacilli, is favorable to the development of sperm and allows their movement to the cervix;
• Your white discharge is abnormal: “white” discharge that is greenish or bluish in color or has a foamy or lumpy appearance is abnormal. They are most often a sign of a vaginal condition (sexually transmitted infections or mycoses) born from an imbalance in your intimate flora.

What consequences?

The consequences of an imbalance in Doderlein's flora are therefore numerous and generally unpleasant on a daily basis. They can even turn out to be serious if you have a baby plan or if you contract a condition linked to this imbalance (vaginal mycosis in particular). This is why it is essential to promote and maintain the balance of the vaginal flora.

3 steps to rebalance your Doderlein flora

Do you think your intimate flora is unbalanced? Here's how to go about finding the balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your vagina.

See a doctor

The first thing to do if you think the balance of your vaginal flora is disturbed is to consult your doctor . This is essential. He will be able to carry out a diagnosis and, if he thinks it is necessary, prescribe additional tests such as a sample. These examinations are necessary in particular in the event of suspicion of mycosis or STI: they will make it possible to define the bacteria in question and to be able to treat it.

If necessary, treat the imbalance medically

If the tests come back positive and it turns out that you really have a vaginal imbalance that could cause you discomfort, it is essential to take the treatment prescribed by your doctor. ✋ Don't miss this step. A yeast infection or an STI can only be treated with medication.

Take a course of probiotics

Medications that aim to eradicate bad bacteria and other germs and fungi from your vaginal flora can be powerful. They are essential for cleaning your vaginal flora BUT also purify good bacteria. This is why it is then essential to rebuild your vaginal flora with probiotics and prebiotics.

🌈 If your doctor has not prescribed anything for you, you can turn to the Miyé brand probiotic treatment , effective in rebuilding the vaginal flora and the intestinal flora (the latter can also be affected by medications). We selected it for its ingredients (probiotic complex to restore and maintain the balance of vaginal and intestinal flora) and because it is vegan and made in France 🇫🇷.

I want these probiotics >

How to take a course of probiotics?

A course of probiotics must be taken for at least a month, daily. In the case of the Miyé brand treatment, you must take two capsules per day with a large glass of water, at the time you prefer (meal time or not). Then, we advise you to take a break of at least one week to see if the effects persist: then resume a treatment if you feel the need (here, if you still feel discomfort, markers of vaginal flora not healthy).

5 ways to keep your intimate flora healthy

We have mentioned it several times in this article: keeping your intimate flora in good health only partly depends on you. So it's about prioritizing what you can change–indeed, you can never change your genetics or refuse menopause after all!

Adopt good intimate hygiene practices

The first way to keep your vaginal flora healthy is to adopt good intimate hygiene practices.

1. Clean yourself with water or, if you prefer, with a pH-neutral soap to avoid acting on the natural acidity of the vaginal flora.

I want this intimate cleanser >

1. Change your underwear every day
2. Avoid scented products for your hygiene
3. Remove vaginal douching from your routine: this practice is particularly bad and tends to destroy your entire microbiota

Choosing the right underwear

The underwear you choose and the care you give it can also have an impact on your intimacy.

1. Opt for cotton or linen underwear: synthetic materials can tend to retain moisture and lead to the development of fungus and intimate mycoses.
2. Limit underwear with seams at the vulva, your privacy will thank you!
3. Choose the most natural detergent possible, without perfume: your clothes being in contact with your private life on a daily basis, you want to give them the greatest care and as few chemicals as possible.

Opt for a probiotic lubricant

Each lubricant is designed for specific problems and needs (need for increased slipperiness, allergy to certain ingredients, use with a sex toy or with a condom, etc.). If your intimate flora is fragile and your partner's sperm may tend to destabilize it, we recommend that you opt for a probiotic lubricant . In addition to countering the lack of natural lubrication from which you may suffer in cases of intimate dryness, it will guarantee the balance of your vaginal flora after sexual intercourse.

🌈 On Gapianne, we can only recommend the intimate lubricating gel with probiotics from the Miyé brand. Multifunctional, it can also be used as a gel to apply externally and internally to soothe your vulva on a daily basis.

I want this intimate lubricating gel with probiotics >

Think about your intestinal flora

The good health of your intestinal flora is essential to ensure the good health of your vaginal flora. Indeed, these two flora, although they are not composed of the same micro-organisms, can be brought to communicate. Due to different sexual practices, bad toilet habits or even permeability between the internal walls which separate the vagina and digestive system. It is therefore important to also promote the good health of your intestinal flora by strengthening it regularly with probiotics and prebiotics.

🌈 At Gapianne, we have selected for you the treatment of food supplements for the intestinal flora from the Gyneika brand, specialized for women suffering from endometriosis. This treatment is composed of probiotics to promote the good balance of the intestinal and vaginal microbiota but also of glutamine to help digestion.

I want these food supplements >

Observing the signs of healthy Doderlein flora

Last but not least to ensure that your vaginal flora is healthy: observe the symptoms and your feelings. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article in the symptoms of healthy vaginal flora, if your vaginal discharge is normal, if your vulva is not tight, if you do not have a burning sensation on a daily basis and if you don't have to worry about natural lubrication during vaginal sex, it's all good. Continue to observe your white discharge and your sensations regularly to ensure that the balance of your intimate flora is maintained.

To conclude, vaginal flora is a good barometer of the good health of your vagina. Maintaining the balance of your vaginal microbiota is essential for your health and your intimate comfort. In the event of any inconvenience, consulting a doctor is the first step to take, while good hygiene is the starting point for healthy intimate flora.

Sources:

“The Vaginal Microbiome: I. Research Development, Lexicon, Defining “Normal” and the Dynamics Throughout Women's Lives” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8719517/

“The Microbiota of the Vagina and Its Influence on Women's Health and Disease” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3248621/?_escaped_fragment_=po=52.5000

“The vaginal microbiome: rethinking health and diseases” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3780402/