How Probiotics Support a Healthy Vaginal Microbiome

Alliaus / October 30, 2021

Consuming probiotics has become a wildly popular way to improve the gut microbiome—the community of microbes living in our GI tract. What most people aren’t aware of, however, is that probiotics can also support a healthy vaginal microbiome. In fact, the majority of women probably don’t even know their vagina has a microbiome!

So, what exactly is the vaginal microbiome and how can probiotics help keep it happy and healthy? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the vaginal microbiome?

Also known as vaginal flora, the vaginal microbiome is the collective term for the colonies of bacteria that live inside the vagina. This may sound strange, but it’s actually a healthy, normal part of the vaginal ecosystem.

Just like in the gut, some of these microbes are beneficial, some are neutral, and others are harmful. The types of bacteria housed in the vagina will vary from person to person, but a healthy vaginal microbiome is mostly made up of Lactobacillus, a particular genus of bacteria.

While more than 20 different species of Lactobacillus have been detected in the vagina, normal vaginal flora is typically dominated by only one or two Lactobacillus species.

What’s the importance of the vaginal microbiome?

Think of the community of microbes in your vagina as an inner garden. Just as with an actual garden, when you let the weeds take over (bad microbes), your garden can end up in trouble. What kind of trouble exactly? When the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome is disrupted and the vaginal pH level exceeds 4.5, the vagina becomes an ideal breeding ground for harmful pathogens.

When these pathogens overgrow, a woman is at greater risk of experiencing intimate health infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and urinary tract infections (UTI). These infections are very common. About 10 percent of Australian women will get BV, about 75 percent will have a yeast infection, and around half will develop a UTI in their lifetime.

An unbalanced vaginal microbiome can also lead to a number of troublesome (and sometimes embarrassing) symptoms, including vaginal itching, unpleasant odors, pain or burning during urination, and pain or discomfort during intercourse.

What causes vaginal imbalance?

Many things can trigger imbalance in your vaginal flora, including menstruation, unprotected sex, hygiene (or a lack thereof), pregnancy, douching, stress, hormonal contraceptives, high-sugar diets, the use of perfumed body wash products, overuse of antibiotics, and menopause. Needless to say, many women have too few good bacteria in their vaginas and too many bad bacteria, opening the door to potential infections.

How can probiotics support vaginal health?

Did you know that there are oral probiotics supplements that are specifically designed to support vaginal health? One such probiotic is Alliaus Women’s Health and Flora Restore, which contains carefully selected probiotic strains that encourage a healthy vaginal microbiome and, consequently, a healthy vagina.

Research has shown that a vaginal microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria is optimal. This is because this type of bacteria is responsible for secreting lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which keep vaginal pH acidic and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and yeasts. Containing 17 million CFU in each sachet, Alliaus Women’s Health and Flora Restore includes the most well-researched strains of Lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius ssp salicinius, and Lactobacillus reuteri.

This potent, patented probiotic combination can help balance vaginal flora in a gentle, natural, self-healing way. It can also help reduce the production of pathogenic bacteria in the female productive tract, maintain a healthy vaginal pH, and support the overall health of the female reproductive system.

By supporting women’s gynecological health from the inside, women can blossom into their most confident, beautiful selves on the outside.

The bottom line

Just like your gut, your vagina hosts a community of microbes—some of which are beneficial and some of which are harmful. Taking a probiotic can help support vaginal health by maintaining proper vaginal pH, protecting the vagina from infection, and repopulating it with good bacteria.

Whether you suffer from regular vaginal infections or not, you can improve and maintain your vaginal health by taking a specially formulated probiotic daily. Get back to balance with Alliaus Women’s Health and Flora Restore starting today!

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Supplements should not replace a balanced diet.