An intact vaginal flora is important for a healthy vagina.
Vaginal flora:introduction and composition
A healthy vagina requires intact vaginal flora. Lactic acid bacteria are the key, as they protect against various vaginal infections. However, the delicate balance of the vaginal flora can also become unbalanced. Read our article to find out more about the important role your vaginal flora plays and what you can do to actively maintain it.
Pharmacist
DR. KADE
Medical Affairs
What will be discussed
What is the vaginal flora made up of?
Lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli) are essential for healthy vaginal flora. However, unlike other microorganisms, they are not disease-causing pathogens, but beneficial. These rod-shaped bacteria convert the glycogen (starch) present in the vaginal skin into lactic acid. This results in the acidic milieu of the vagina, with a low pH of around 3.8-4.5. The acidic vaginal pH makes it almost impossible for pathogens to thrive. The vaginal flora is also dependent on the female sex hormone oestrogen,
the concentration of which fluctuates in your body throughout the menstrual cycle. Oestrogen levels drop during and shortly after your period. There are also fewer lactobacilli in the vagina during this time. The amount of oestrogen increases again as the cycle progresses. As a result, the number of lactic acid bacteria in the vaginal mucosa also increases. Women going through the menopause can also experience an imbalance in their vaginal flora. During this time, oestrogen levels fall, which alters the pH level of the vagina, making it easier for pathogens to spread.
Your vaginal flora changes throughout the course of your life
The vaginal flora is formed from birth by oral absorption of lactic acid bacteria from the placenta, the mother’s vaginal flora and breast milk. These bacteria enter the vagina via the perineum and vulva, where they make up the vaginal flora. Throughout the course of your life, however, it changes. In childhood, there are fewer lactobacilli in the vaginal flora, which results in a higher pH value.
During puberty, oestrogen causes the vaginal mucosa to become thicker and form more glycogen. The lactic acid bacteria are now also working at full speed to convert the glycogen into lactic acid, which creates the acidic pH value in the vagina. During the menopause, however, the oestrogen level drops again, and the vaginal skin retains less glycogen. This means that pathogenic bacteria, which only exist in small numbers in the vagina, can multiply more easily.
What unbalances vaginal flora?
Lactobacilli are present in large numbers in healthy vaginal flora. Other microorganisms also populate the vagina to a lesser extent. Some of them also naturally exist on the skin. The vaginal pH changes if fewer lactobacilli are present or if they are absent altogether. The pH value, which is normally low, rises. This creates a more favourable environment for germs to grow in. Do you experience symptoms of imbalanced vaginal flora such as increased discharge, severe itching and a burning sensation when urinating? This suggests that one of the pathogens for mycosis has spread.
Certain bodily fluids are alkaline, like blood and sperm. They increase the low pH value in the vagina. Normally, the vaginal flora restores the protective acidic pH relatively quickly after sex or in the days following your period. However, if this does not happen or if the vaginal flora reacts more sensitively to these changes, it’s the perfect opportunity for bacteria to spread, increasing the risk of vaginal infections.
Do you experience symptoms such as increased discharge, severe itching or a burning sensation in the intimate area? Our self-test gives you an indication of whether you have vaginal mycosis. If symptoms persist or become more severe, seek additional medical advice. Please note that only a visit to the doctor can guarantee a reliable diagnosis.
Tips for healthy vaginal flora
There are a few things you can do to maintain a healthy vagina and help keep the flora in the intimate area balanced. These include:
- Gentle cleansing of the intimate area
Gently cleanse your intimate area with a specially formulated intimate wash lotion like KadeFemin or just with water to avoid disrupting the natural pH. - Don’t use vaginal douches, intimate deodorants or wet wipes
They are not necessary for intimate hygiene. Using them is more likely to cause harm, as they can damage the natural vaginal flora. - Proper bathroom hygiene
Make sure you use the right wiping technique after going to the toilet. Wipe from the front to the back and not the other way round. - Change out of wet swimwear and sweaty sportswear as soon as possible
Change your clothes as quickly as possible after swimming or exercising. Pathogens can thus be prevented from multiplying in the warm and moist environment.
There are several ways and means to support and restore the vaginal flora, which also promotes a healthy vagina. One way to achieve a balanced and resistant vaginal flora is to use a regeneration treatment containing lactic acid. It’s best to steer clear of home remedies such as tampons soaked in yoghurt as they contain bacteria, chemical additives or preservatives that are not typically found in the vagina and can lead to irritation or inflammation.
