We all know about the powers of probiotics for gut health, immunity and even mental health.
But did you know that probiotics may also be given for vaginal wellbeing?
Studies show that probiotics can greatly help reduce the likelihood of vaginal yeast infections among other things.
We sat down with Dr Nicholas Lim, consultant obstetrics and gynaecology to talk about how probiotics can be used to promote vaginal wellness.
Q1: Why is vaginal health important for women?
Did you know that the vagina is a self-cleansing organ?
But because of hormonal change, irritation or other lifestyle factors, it may negatively affect the vaginal health causing infections and other issues.
Vaginal infections that happened during pregnancy are caused by changes in hormones, the pH of the vaginal fluid and even a drop in immunity.
Pregnancy related vaginal infections include bad bacterial overgrowth which causes bacterial vaginosis, itching, burning and a strong fishy smell are symptoms.
Candida infection or overgrowth causes yeast infections. Itching burning and thick white discharge are symptoms.
Group B Streptococcus, or better known as GBS, affects 20 to 30% of mothers. But most of them are unaware of it.
Screening is done roughly around 36 weeks of pregnancy and if needed, antibiotics are usually given as discussed.
If not, GBS can be transferred to infants during delivery and cause the baby to have serious health problems.
Pregnancy can increase the risk of urinary tract infection, or better known as UTIs.
Because during pregnancy hormonal changes can affect the urinary tract and make it easier for bad bacteria to grow.
During pregnancy, if required, medications such as antibiotics may be prescribed, but it may kill off both good and bad bacteria.
So, it is advisable to supplement the probiotics during and after a course of medication.
Question 2: How do we treat these infections?
Probiotics can also help to prevent and treat vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.
BV occurs when there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina, leading to an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota.
Studies have shown that probiotics containing Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Lactobacillus Reuteri have been shown to prevent the infections or to reduce the severity of the infections.
If left untreated, some vaginal infections can lead to more serious infections and can even cause preterm labour.
So, treatment typically involves antibiotics that can be used during pregnancy, as prescribed by your doctor.
It is suggested to be taken along with probiotics during and after treatment to replenish and sustain the good bacteria for better urogenital health.
Yet some medications aren’t safe.
So, I prescribe probiotics that safely restore vaginal microbiota balance and health without negative effects.
Q3: How can women incorporate probiotics into their vaginal health routine?
There are a few ways we can take probiotics, but usually it is generic strains that can be found in food that are not often consumed by many.
One way is to eat probiotics-rich foods like yoghurt, kefir, pickles and kimchi.
Another way is either taken orally or by tablets insertion (into vaginal). Oral method is non-invasive and similarly effective. You may also consult with your doctor about it.
How oral vaginal-benefiting probiotics work is that it would travel naturally to the vagina by natural colonisation and ascension.
The probiotics will survive the entire GI tract and migrate to the preferable environment, which is the urogenital system.
It helps reduce inflammation, maintain healthy pH, restore vaginal microflora, provide antimicrobial activity and prevent the growth of bad bacteria that causes urogenital problems.
Q4: Are there any side effects associated with using probiotics for vaginal health?
For the most part, probiotics are considered safe and don’t have any significant side effects.
However, some women may experience mild discomfort or irritation when using tablet insertion.
Therefore, we recommend oral intake feminine health probiotics.
It’s also important to note that not all probiotics are made the same. So, it’s important to choose only selected clinically proven probiotics targeted for your health concern.
And I know some women are concerned about odour.
Probiotics can also help reduce vaginal odour and discomfort, which can be caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota.
Q5: Any other advice for women on maintaining vaginal health?
In addition to using probiotics, women should practice good hygiene, wear breathable underwear and avoid too tight clothing. Pure cotton rather than synthetics.
They should also talk to their doctor about any concerns they have and get regular gynaecological exams or checkups to catch any potential issues early on.
I’d recommend an annual checkup, if there are no issues.
My final message will be for all pregnant mummies out there, probiotics are important for you.
Oral feminine health probiotics can be a non-invasive, natural and sustainable way to treat or prevent vaginal infections for a long time. Especially for pregnant women who are more likely to get these infections.
With healthier microflora in the womb, the microflora passed down to the baby during delivery will also be healthy probiotics.
Remember mummies, a healthy womb for a healthy baby.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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