{"id":31057,"date":"2023-09-25T19:57:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T00:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wholehealthchicago.com\/blog\/?p=31057"},"modified":"2023-09-25T19:57:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T00:57:06","slug":"the-care-and-feeding-of-your-vaginal-microbiome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wholehealthchicago.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/25\/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-vaginal-microbiome","title":{"rendered":"The Care and Feeding of Your Vaginal Microbiome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We mainly think of the \u201cmicrobiome\u201d, that overall population of wanted (and often unwanted) bacteria, fungi (yeast), viruses, and even parasites, as confined to our intestinal tract. A \u201chealthy gut microbiome\u201d, we now know, allows us symptom-free digestion, a strong immune system, and neurotransmitter production and is even associated with longevity. Of course, other areas in your body where bacteria congregate have their microbiome, like your skin and your vagina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be said that your vagina pretty much takes care of herself without you mucking with her (douches, sprays, secondhand sex toys), except when attacked by one of the several infections which I will discuss next week. By far the commonest is candida (a\/k\/a \u201cyeast\u201d), followed by bacterial vaginosis (a\/k\/a BV or Gardnerella), trichomonas, chlamydia, and the STD gonorrhea. On the plus side (as if there can be a \u2018plus\u2019 side to a vaginal infection), once diagnosed, vaginal infections are quite treatable, usually with anti-fungals or antibiotics. Some women, for reasons quite unknown to them, get vaginal infections repeatedly. Perhaps this Health Tip will help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dominant bacteria in your vagina are Lactobacillus Crispatus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Gasseri. Taking a so-called, \u201cWoman\u2019s Probiotic\u201d every day will help your microbiome by lowering the pH (making your vagina more acidic) thus making it uncomfortable for disease-causing organisms like candida and Gardnerella. But actually, a healthy diet, reducing sugar, avoiding ultra-processed foods, and increasing fermented foods like Greek yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi might work quite well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEndangering\u201d is too strong a word. You can \u201cupset\u201d your vaginal microbiome with any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n