Did you know that just like your gut micro biome, you also have a microbiome that lives within your vagina? They have found that our vaginal micrbiome and the bacteria present actually changes throughout our lifetime as we go through different stages in our cycle and even pregnancies. While in a regular healthy women of reproductive age, there is often the presence of Lactobacillus genus (Ceccerani et al.,2019). This type of good bacteria, in simpler term, basically produces lactic acid as a major fermented carbohydrate and is one of the most common bacterias found in food microbiology and human nutrition (Salvetti, Torriani, & Felis 2012). But there is also a host of other bacteria- they found that along with Lactobacillus genus, most had at least 1 of these other bacteria living in harmony with it which include L. iners, L. gasseri, L. crispatus, and L. jensenii (Ceccarni et al., 2019).
Now, have you ever suffered from a yeast infection? I would think most of us have and how annoying and painful are they? When I first started my period in 5th grade I was left with this chronic white cottage cheese like yeast infection that didn't go away for almost 2 years! I was the girl that always smelt like rotten fish in class, it was beyond humiliating. I tried douching (DON'T EVER DO THIS), I tried vaginal yeast infection cream, and I even went to gynaecologist in 5th grade so they could do a Pap smear. She concluded that there was nothing wrong and nothing else she could do, that it was just my hormones and that they would fizzle out. Looking back, I wish I would've had a voice and the information about menstrual cycles that I have now. The amount of humiliation, worry, and guilt I had for myself was beyond ridiculous and it makes me wonder how many other young girls and women are dealing wit this still? Vaginal infections affect over 1 billion women every single year! A normal amount of Lactobacillus keeps the vagina in homeostasis and the body healthy. (Ceccarni et al., 2019).
Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects around 75% of women at least once during their reproductive age and 5% who continue to suffer from reoccurrences'. C. albicans is responsible for 80-92% of these cases. Along with these is the most common STI, chlamydia which effects over 131 million people per year. There are actually different strands of chlamydia and how they affect our bodies! Chlamydia trachomatis D-K infections are known for causing asymptomatic urogenital infections, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and ectopic pregnancies. However, only strands E,F,D and G usually accommodate for 60-80% of cases on a global level. The best way to protect against STDs is by ensuring that you use a condom with the person you intend on having sex with and having regular Pap smears with your healthcare professional (Ceccarni et al.,. 2019).
While a better understanding of the vaginal microbiome is still being studied, they have also started doing more research in relation to the microbiome and pregnancy complications such as fertility and even premature birth. They've found that vaginitis increases the risk for preterm premature rupture of membranes, late miscarriage, and preterm labor. Furthermore, they have found a correlation between the shortening of the cervix and vaginitis- shortening of the cervix is another key factor contributing to preterm delivery (Nelson, n.d.).
With the knowledge I have now, I know not to douche, this is purely because that will wipe out the natural pH and bacteria within our vaginas leaving us vulnerable to overgrowth of bad bacteria. I no longer get yeast infections and if I do, it isn't very common! Many of the foods that contribute to yeast overgrowth I am actually sensitive or allergic to. By cutting these back in my diet and adding in a daily probiotic, it has made a huge difference in my gut and in my vagina.
The medical community is still very curious about the vaginal micro biome, there is still so much research and understanding that needs be done. But the fact that this community is beginning to do any type of research is amazing! They have found what bacteria are common within the vagina, they have figured out how it changes depending on internal and external factors, and what affects the health of it. They aren't entirely sure why some of the other bacteria begin to overgrow in the vagina, causing an imbalance and causing an out of balance microbiome but they are beginning to connect the dots!
Xoxo,
Moonli
Ceccerani, C.,Foschi C., Parolin, C., D'Antuono, A., Gaspari, V., Consolandi C., Laghi, L., Camboni, T., Vitali, B., Severgnini, M., & Marangoni, M. 2019. Diversity of vaginal microbiome and metabolome during genital infections. Sci Rep, 14095 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41598-019-50410-x.
Nelson, K., Fouts, D., White, B., Wilson, B, & Creedon, D. (n.d.) The Metagonomics Approach to Understanding the Relationship Between the Vaginal Microbiome, Bacterial Vaginosis, Vaginal Health and Preterm Birth. J. Craig Venter Institute, <https://www.jcvi.org/metagenomics-approach-understanding-relationship-between-vaginal-microbiome-bacterial-vaginosis> accessed 12 Jan 2020.
Salvetti, E., Torriani, S., & Felis, GE. (2012) Genus Lactobacillius: A Taxonomic Update. Springerlink, (4):217-26. doi: 10.1007/s12602-012-9117-8.