The vaginal microbiota and pH has a lot to do with improving your vaginal ecosystem. This system is dominated by D-lactate-producing lactobacilli species. An unhealthy pH, that is one that has a pH >4.5, is a clear indication of a problematic ecosystem (in pre-menopausal women).

This is associated with poorer fertility and birth outcomes, an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, recurrent urinary tract infections, as well as increased HPV infection rates.

You can check the colour of your vaginal discharge to see what this suggests in terms of your health

Symptoms of vaginal dysbiosis:

• Grey, white or green vaginal discharge

• Peculiar consistency of vaginal fluid

• Unpleasant vaginal odour

• Vaginal itching and/or burning

• Burning during urination

• Frequent urinary tract infections

So what can you do:

• Improve your diet to good whole foods
• Increase fermented foods such as apple cider vinegar with mother, fermented veg, sauerkraut, kefir, kvass etc
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid harsh soaps and douching
• Change tampons regularly
• Avoid feminine hygiene products

Treatments (supervision required):

• Boric Acid -insert vaginally
• Probiotics – Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 strain, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GR1 & 66, Lactobacillius fermentum RC, Lactobacillus acidophilus NAS
• Lactulose
• Green tea
• Oegano
• Pomegranate husk
• Vitamin C
• Olive oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Beeswax
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References
Metagenics
Jason Hawrelak
ND, BNat (Hons), PhD, FNHAA, MASN, FACN
Chief Research Officer
Probiotic Advisor
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Select References:
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Hyman, R. W., Herndon, C. N., Jiang, H., Palm, C., Fukushima, M., Bernstein, D., . . . Giudice, L. C.. The dynamics of the vaginal microbiome during infertility therapy with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2012; 29(2), 105-115.

Khan KN, Fujishita A, Hiraki K, et al. Bacterial contamination hypothesis: a new concept in endometriosis. Reprod Med Biol 2018;17(2):125-33. doi: 10.1002/rmb2.12083

Kirjavainen, P. V., Pautler, S., Baroja, M. L., Anukam, K., Crowley, K., Carter, K. & Reid, G. 2009. Abnormal Immunological Profile and Vaginal Microbiota in Women Prone to

Urinary Tract Infections. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 2009; 16, 29-36.

Mitra A, MacIntyre DA, Marchesi JR, Lee YS, Bennett PR, Kyrgiou M. The vaginal microbiota, human papillomavirus infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: what do we know and where are we going next? Microbiome. 2016;4(1):58

Petrova MI, Lievens E, Malik S, Imholz N, Lebeer S. Lactobacillus species as biomarkers and agents that can promote various aspects of vaginal health. Front Physiol. 2015;6:81.

Younes, J. A., Lievens, E., Hummelen, R., van der Westen, R., Reid, G., & Petrova, M. I. Women and Their Microbes: The Unexpected Friendship. Trends in Microbiology. 2017;26(1), 16-32.