Your vaginal health affects not only your vagina, but also your urinary tract (bladder and urethra). These areas, like your intestines, are full bacteria, fungi, archaea and eukaryotes1. In a healthy vaginal microbiome, these microbes work together to maintain a balanced pH (around 4 to 4.5) that is not conducive to harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and fungi such as yeast.

It’s when our microscopic good guys are outnumbered by the bad guys that trouble can arise. Periods of high stress, taking certain medications, and hormonal changes can impair your vaginal microbiome and make it more susceptible to intruders. After an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, you will begin to notice problems such as unusual discharge, odors, and irritation.

There are several stages in life when people are more susceptible to suboptimal vaginal balance. For example, changes in estrogen during the cycle can negatively affect the vaginal microbiome, as can hormonal changes during menopause. Postmenopausal women may also find it more difficult to maintain vaginal health due to weakening of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles.

Vitamins and supplements can be helpful in rebalancing this sensitive area.* Some of the most researched include: