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Intimate hygiene: what is the vaginal microbiota?
We call vaginal flora, or vaginal microbiota, the set of microorganisms evolving in the vagina of women. Their role is to prevent a pathogen from proliferating and leading to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, for example. The vaginal flora is therefore made up of “good” bacteria whose balance must be preserved to avoid infections.
The dominant vaginal flora consists ofone to four species of lactobacilli, a family of bacteria found in yogurt in particular.
We speak of Döderlein flora to group together all these lactobacilli, which essentially belong to the species Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus jensenii et Lactobacillus delbrueckii. We also talk about dominant flora. In the absence of any pathology or imbalance, the lactobacilli concentration is between 105 and 108 bacteria per gram of vaginal secretion. An abundant Döderlein flora is in a way a guarantee of “good vaginal health”, with a low risk of infections, while a poor or scanty Döderlein flora exposes a greater risk of dysregulation and therefore infections. .
Döderlein flora: lactobacilli that act on the pH of the vagina
In fact, the vagina contains a small amount of “bad” bacteria and other potentially pathogenic microorganisms when present in high concentrations. Döderlein’s flora, or Döderlein’s bacilli, in particular produce lactic acid which will block the proliferation of bad germs in the vagina. These lactobacilli will also make it possible to maintain the pH of the vagina between 3,8 and 4,2, which corresponds to an acidic pH.
In addition to this dominant flora, it happens that species from the intestinal or digestive flora (we speak of intestinal microbiota) and oropharyngeal flora of men are found in the vaginal flora of a woman. We then speak of minor flora.
When a factor, most often external, disturbs the fragile balance of the vaginal flora, the risk of contracting a yeast or fungus, bacterial vaginosis, cystitis or even a sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia for example) increases.
Some of the factors that can unbalance the vaginal flora include, among others wearing tight clothes and underwear, medication (especially antibiotics), hormonal factors (pregnancy, menopause, menstruation), tobacco, stress, fatigue, or a inadequate personal hygiene, too frequent or too aggressive (see below).
Restore and restore your vaginal flora using probiotics
After a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, after antibiotic treatment (oral or intravaginal), or even after the use of tampons during menstruation, it is possible, preferably on medical advice, to use probiotics and prebiotics to regenerate or maintain the vaginal flora. These drugs, which also make it possible to relieve vaginal discomfort (itching, irritation), come in the form of capsules, capsules or ova to be inserted deep in the vagina, preferably at bedtime. They usually contain one or more species of lactobacilli for reconstitute the flora of Döderlein. There are also tampons impregnated with lactobacilli, to be used for periodic protection during menstruation.
Note that if the consumption of probiotics (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) are effective for the intestinal microbiota as, more indirectly, for the vaginal microbiota, better favor the use of specific probiotics via the vagina. In this way, the “good” bacteria are already in the medium that they are to colonize.
How to properly do your daily intimate toilet while respecting your vaginal flora?
To avoid compromising the fragile balance of the vaginal flora, it is better not to intervene at its level. In other words, it is strongly recommended not to clean the inside of the vaginaeven with water. The vaginal douching is to be avoided, just like all the other “tendencies” of the “vaginal sauna” type aiming to “purify” this area. Too much hygiene, for example with three intimate toilets per day, is also not recommended.
The vagina is said self-cleaning : vaginal secretions (or white discharge), which are completely normal and natural as long as they do not have an unusual or smelly appearance, allow the vagina to get rid of its waste (dead cells …) and maintain optimal pH. No need to intervene at this level, in terms of personal hygiene, only washing of the external parts (vulva, lips) is recommended.
Although specific products exist for this area, a simple wash with clean water may be sufficient, in the absence of pathology requiring further care. We also avoid shower gels and other products that are too irritating., which may dry out the area, as well as too repeated baths, which can disrupt the vaginal flora.