Have you ever considered what is exactly going on “down there” or whether your vagina is actually healthy at all? 

There is a stigma and shyness surrounding the discussion of vaginal and sexual health. 

This can be really dangerous for women’s health – so we are here to help put a stop to this! 

Below are some of the reasons why your vaginal health is so important, as well as how you can take back control of your vaginal health. This is particularly important as the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) has noted that 84% of women with a vaginal imbalance are asymptomatic. You may have no idea there is a problem and face the risk of long-term issues including BV, thrush, fertility complications, and cervical cancer! 

What determines my vaginal health? 

There is a  buzz around the gut microbiome and it is featured in many health magazines. 

However,  the vaginal microbiome does not seem to be a topic of discussion. The vaginal microbiome is very real and can really influence your health far beyond the vagina. 

Every woman has a slightly different vaginal microbiome and generally consists of a unique combination of the following: 

• Bacteria 
• Fungi 
• Viruses 
• Yeast 
• Archaea 

The amount and types of each of these elements will vary, and it’s important to determine your community state-type and consequently the health of your vaginal microbiome. 

Why is my vaginal health important? 

1. Cancer 

• A newly published study by a team at UCL has found that women with less lactobacilli in their vaginal microbiome may be at greater risk of ovarian cancer.

2. Fertility

• Your vaginal microbiome is a key determinant in fertility outcomes 
• Women who have a stable vaginal microbiome, have higher fertility success rates.  

3. IVF 

• Up to 40% of women undergoing IVF have abnormal reproductive tract microbiota. Research shows decreased diversity of the vaginal microbiome before embryo transfer can increase the success of IVF by around 60%.  Testing it before the transfer can help to increase the success rate.

4. Risk of disease 

• Infections, such as BV
• STDs 
• Risk of thrush 

5. Risk of uncomfortable symptoms which include:

• Pain during sex
• Burning sensation 
• Itchiness
• Abnormal discharge 
• Unpleasant smell
• Dryness

6. Miscarriage 

• An imbalance in your vaginal microbiome is increasingly linked to risk of miscarriage. 
• It has been found that women who have healthy pregnancies have microbiomes rich in Lactobacillus and low in diversity, compared to women who have experienced recurrent miscarriages. 

7. General health 

• The gut microbiome and the vaginal microbiome are linked. Therefore, you can help to heal your vaginal health through your gut, i.e. through your diet. 
• By healing your vaginal health, you can also improve your gut health.

8. Your children’s health 

• The vaginal microbiota has been linked to your child’s microbiota. This is likely to have an impact on your child’s entire life, through gut health, disease response, and more. 

Ok… but what can I do to improve my vaginal health! 

1. TESTING

• The first step to improving your vaginal health is by understanding it. Our Vaginal & Sexual Health Testing Packages screen 100% of the bacteria and yeast in your microbiome, therefore giving you a complete understanding of what is going on. 
• Our packages include:
  • Free consultation with our experts
  • Full composition and diversity of microbiome analysed 
  • Screening of 100% of the bacteria and/or yeast in your microbiome 
  • Your vaginal community state-type
  • NHS registered doctor’s report
  • Tailored advice on how you can protect yourself against UTIs, STDs, vaginosis, reduce risk of cervical cancer, and enhance fertility based on your results.

2. FOOD & SUPPLEMENTS

• Diet plays a crucial role not just for your vaginal health, but for your overall health and wellness. This is why all of our tests come with a free consultation with one of our experts, who will guide you through tailored nutritional plans, including our EatWell Plate. 
• To help you get started, a few examples of foods that are good for your vaginal health include:
  • Prebiotic foods feed the good bacteria
    • Leeks, garlic, artichoke, peas, berries, bananas, kiwi
  • Probiotic foods promote growth of good bacteria
    • Ferment/real Greek yogurt, kefir, miso, fermented or naturally pickled foods onions, cauliflower, carrots, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi avoid shop pickles that may be made with synthetic products).
• We recommend that you speak to a health professional before taking any supplements, in order to make sure you are doing what Is best for your body. 

3. PRODUCTS

• It is very important to use products that are friendly for your vaginal microbiome. This includes using products that are free from parabens, hormone disruptors, flavors, and any other nasty chemicals. 

We hope this has helped to explain the vaginal microbiome to you and if you have any further questions, do not hesitate to get in touch! 

Source: Jessica Hobbis from ScreenMe. 

ScreenMe is an organisation aimed at optimising and improving women’s health at every stage of their lives, through natural solutions. Our at-home tests allow you to take samples from the privacy of your home; while in your free consultation you are able to discuss your results, goals and more with our experts. ScreenMe’s team creates bespoke plans for you, including nutritional and lifestyle advice, scientific, holistic care, and extensive support – empowering you to be the best version of yourself.