An intact vaginal flora keeps germs and pathogens away. However, numerous internal and external factors can disturb its balance. What you can do for a healthy intimate area and what the myths are.
There are several myths about how women keep their vaginal flora in balance. So that you can react correctly in the event of a vaginal flora disorder or vaginal infection, it helps to know what is unbalancing the vaginal flora. You can also find out what you can actually do to prevent it.
The facts
The vagina is covered in a mucous membrane from the entrance to the vagina to the cervix, which has numerous functions. One of the most important is protection against intruders such as fungi and harmful bacteria. For this, the vagina needs healthy vaginal flora. This vaginal flora consists mainly of beneficial lactic acid bacteria. The sex hormone oestrogen ensures that these lactic acid bacteria multiply and produce lactic acid. This creates an acidic environment inside the vagina, which makes it practically impossible for fungi, viruses or other bacteria to multiply excessively. The pH value in the vagina should therefore always be in the slightly acidic range of around 4.5.
What brings the vaginal flora out of balance
There are various causes of impaired vaginal flora. “The most common causes include taking antibiotics, but also frequent vaginal showers and excessive intimate hygiene with unsuitable soap. In addition, a lack of oestrogen, for example after the menopause, can lead to an imbalance,” says Deborah Admaty, senior physician at the Department of Gynaecology at the University Hospital Zurich. Condoms that contain spermicide can also affect the vaginal flora.
The rarer causes include sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonococci, which can disrupt the vaginal flora and trigger an infection.
These symptoms indicate disturbed vaginal flora
If the vaginal flora is out of balance, an alkaline environment develops. Fungi and harmful bacteria that penetrate from the outside then have an easy time and a vaginal infection can occur.
“One of the most common infections in such cases is bacterial vaginosis,” says Admaty. This causes a fishy odor and increased discharge, which is very annoying for those affected. “Bacterial infections like this can be treated with local antibiotics prescribed by the doctor. It is important to follow up with lactobacilli. Otherwise, the risk of a relapse is high.”
Signs of disturbed vaginal flora also include itching, burning or pain and sometimes a feeling of puffiness, the senior physician explains. “These symptoms are often the result of a fungal infection,” explains Admaty. In some cases, mixed infections with bacteria and fungi can also occur. “Self-therapy therefore doesn’t help and can even make the situation worse,” says Admaty.
4 myths about healthy vaginal flora
The yogurt tampon
With the symptoms mentioned above, women often resort to tampons that have been prepared with yoghurt or quark. The fact is: this can even make an infection worse. In addition, the lactic acid bacteria in dairy products differ from those in the vagina.
Better not to use tampons at all
Tampons during your period are often cited as the cause of disturbed vaginal flora. Many women therefore refrain from doing so. The fact is that you should change your tampon every few hours during your period. It only becomes dangerous when a tampon is forgotten. This is because harmful bacteria can then gradually multiply in it.
Give up sugar
Too much sugar impairs the vaginal flora and is food for fungi, as we often read. The fact is that eating a lot of sugary foods increases the risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, can unbalance the vaginal flora. “How much sugar is okay ultimately depends on the individual body and cannot be said across the board. But you certainly don’t have to give up sugar completely,” says Admaty.
Probiotic nutrition keeps the vaginal flora in balance
It is often recommended to consume yogurt, sauerkraut or kombucha tea because they support the production of lactic acid bacteria. The fact is: If you have undergone antibiotic treatment, a temporary probiotic diet makes perfect sense. “But a balanced diet based on the food pyramid is sufficient for healthy vaginal flora,” explains Admaty.
What really helps balance
You can support healthy vaginal flora and prevent infections with the following tips.
- You should avoid vaginal douches. This also flushes out the good lactic acid bacteria.
- Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet. Conversely, bacteria from the intestine can enter the vagina and have a negative effect on the vaginal environment.
- Wash the intimate area no more than once a day and with a pH-neutral wash lotion or just warm water. Normal soaps and shower gels are too alkaline and in turn destroy the good lactic acid bacteria.
- Wear cotton underwear that can be washed at 60 degrees. Synthetic briefs or plasticized panty liners cause more perspiration in the genital area. However, the sweat is less easily removed. Too much moisture impairs the vaginal flora.
When is an examination useful?
If you have one or more of the symptoms mentioned above that persist for several days, it is advisable to see your gynecologist. It is important to find the cause in order to be able to provide targeted treatment, especially if the trigger is a sexually transmitted disease, emphasizes Admaty. In these cases, treatment of the partner is also indicated.
The general outpatient gynecological consultation offers the opportunity, in addition to the annual check-up, to ask questions about vaginal flora in a personal consultation, but also to clarify the causes and treatment options for disturbed vaginal flora.
