Your vagina has its own unique ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that play a crucial role in maintaining your vaginal health. This microbial community, known as the vaginal microbiome, helps prevent infections and supports your overall well-being.
The key to a healthy vagina lies in the balance of beneficial microorganisms, primarily from the Lactobacillus genus. These helpful bacteria produce lactic acid, which maintains an acidic environment that restricts the growth of pathogenic microbes that cause diseases like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.
However, various factors can disrupt this delicate balance, including menstruation, stress, antibiotics, and sexually transmitted infections. BV is a common problem affecting one in three adult women, often linked to an imbalance of beneficial Lactobacilli.
Douching, despite its popularity as a self-cleaning method, can actually increase the risk of infection by disrupting the vaginal microbiome. In reality, the vagina has its own natural defense system, with cervical mucus that flushes out bacteria and dead cells.
Understanding your vaginal microbiome is essential to maintaining good health. By taking care of these tiny microbes, you can ensure a healthy balance and reduce the risk of infections like BV.
Source: https://thehoya.com/science/the-repro-rundown-how-the-vaginal-microbiome-can-help-or-harm-our-health