Microbiome and Vaginal Health

Vaginal health is a central component of women’s overall well-being.

The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic microecosystem that consists of many different bacteria, which differ from woman to woman and fluctuates based on hormonal changes and lifestyle factors ^{1 , 2}.

A healthy vaginal environment is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which help maintain balance and protect against infections ^{1 , 2}.

The number of Lactobacillus bacteria can naturally vary throughout a woman’s life due to factors such as age, hormonal shifts, and external influences ^{3 , 4}.

Vaginal dysbiosis, affecting up to 50% of women, leads to conditions like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections ^{5, 6}.

Routine management of vaginal dysbiosis may involve antibiotic treatment, but the rise in antibiotic resistance has prompted interest in other management options ^{7, 8, 9}. There is research evidence that certain probiotic lactobacilli may help to reduce the risk of recurrent yeast infection. ^{8, 10}