How the Vaginal Flora Helps Prevent Infections and Discomforts

The vaginal flora helps to prevent infections and discomforts such as itch and discharge.

The main cause of the high occurrence of vaginal issues is an imbalance in the vaginal flora. In other words, the balance is being disrupted either by good bacteria being reduced in numbers or due to the overgrowth of “bad” bacteria or yeast cells. The reduction in good bacteria and overgrowth of harmful microbes is often correlated. When this happens, your body can either manage to fight the infection off and return itself to a state of healthy balance, or it may need some help from the outside in the shape of medication, products containing prebiotics or a change in lifestyle. Almost all women will suffer from bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection or a urinary infection at least once in their lifetime.

“If the vaginal flora is compromised, the protective role of the lactobacilli (the good bacteria) is reduced. Due to reduced numbers of lactobacilli, less lactic acid is produced, and the protective low vaginal pH is affected.”

What Is Considered to Be a Healthy Vaginal Flora?

A healthy vagina is heavily populated with “good” lactobacillus bacteria. These bacteria are considered to be a sort of gatekeepers for the vagina – they can inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria/yeast by producing lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide and prevent the bad bacteria from attaching to the vaginal wall. Lactic acid helps maintain the acidic environment of the vagina, while hydrogen peroxide helps kill the bad bacteria.

Causes of a Disturbed Balance

If the vaginal flora is compromised, the protective role of the lactobacilli (the good bacteria) is reduced. Due to reduced numbers of lactobacilli, less lactic acid is produced, and the protective low vaginal pH is affected. As a result, bad bacteria take the opportunity to overgrow.

There are many factors that can disturb the delicate balance that exists inside the vagina. Some of them include tissue damage caused by giving birth; health issues, stress, certain medication, tight clothing or synthetic underwear; inappropriate hygiene; irritants present in lotions, body washes and other cosmetic products; friction caused by penetration if the woman is not sufficiently aroused during intercourse; hormonal changes, etc.

During pregnancy, the amount and diversity of the vaginal lactobacilli is often reduced, putting pregnant women at a higher risk of an infection.

Symptoms Associated with an imbalance in the vaginal flora are:

Discharge
Odour
Itch
Irritation
Redness
Swelling
Pain while urinating or during intercourse, burning sensation
Sensitivity
Soreness

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Imbalance?

A balanced vaginal flora helps to prevent bacterial and yeast infections and is crucial for good vaginal health. In order to reduce the risk of imbalance in the vaginal flora, develop good hygienic habits and follow general recommendations on how to take care of your intimate region. You could also use products that contain ingredients which support the growth of the good bacteria to prevent possible infections and promote recovery if the symptoms have already developed.

Multi-Gyn® Products

Multi-Gyn® offers a complete range of intimate self-care products for the treatment and prevention of vaginal discomforts. Visit for more information: https://www.multi-gyn.com.my/.

Reference

https://www.multi-gyn.com/general/how-the-vaginal-flora-helps-prevent-infections-and-discomforts/