Vaginal Health and How To Care For Her*

The vagina is an intricate and remarkable part of the female body, playing crucial roles in both pleasure and reproduction. Nevertheless, discussions surrounding vaginal health often come with stigmas and misinformation. Let's demystify the subject, delving into what a healthy vagina looks like, understanding the importance of vaginal pH, and explore some healthy habits and changes you can take to maintain a healthy and balanced pH.*

The Vagina

Your vagina is a powerful passageway that plays an important role in sex, menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth and is host to a variety of bacteria and fungi that keep it healthy.¹ 

These tiny organisms coexist in a delicate ecosystem, sometimes called your microbiome or vaginal flora.¹ When you have the right balance of these organisms in your vagina (especially a lot of Lactobacilli), your vagina is healthy.¹*

Understanding Vaginal pH

The term "pH" refers to a measure of how acidic or basic a water-based solution is, and just like our skin, the vagina has its own pH balance. A healthy vaginal pH is typically between 3.8 and 5.0, meaning it is moderately acidic.²* This acidity helps to keep the vagina healthy by creating an idea environment for the natural microbiome.²*

Certain factors can disrupt the vaginal pH balance, including menstruation, intercourse, douching, and certain medications.²* When there is an imbalance, it can disrupt the natural microflora.²*

Taking Care of Your Vagina

Here are some practical ways to maintain vaginal health*:

Less is More: Remember, the vagina is self-cleaning, so you should avoid harsh or heavily scented soaps or douching. Basic hygiene is more than enough.³

Choose breathable underwear: Cotton underwear can be beneficial, as it allows your vagina to breathe and helps prevent the build-up of moisture which can encourage bacterial or yeast growth.³*

Practice safe sex: Using condoms during sex can help prevent sexually transmitted infections and help maintain your vagina's pH balance.³*

Regular check-ups: Regular gynecological exams and Pap tests can help detect any potential issues early and keep you informed about your vaginal health.³*

Foods for a Healthy Vagina*

The food you consume can have an impact on your vaginal health.* For a healthy vagina and balanced pH, consider incorporating the following foods into your diet*:

Probiotics: These are beneficial bacteria that can help keep your gut and vagina healthy.* Yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods are high in Lactobacillus probiotics.⁴*

High-Fiber Foods: Eating high-fiber foods may support the growth of the bacteria Lactobacillus in the vagina.* These include whole grains like oatmeal, quinoa, and barley, most beans, sweet potatoes and berries.⁴

Low-GI Foods: High in vitamins and minerals, they can boost your immune system and keep your vaginal health in check.⁴*

Remember, a healthy vagina is essential for your overall well-being.* Stay proactive in learning about and maintaining your vaginal health, breaking the unnecessary stigmas that surround it.* It's your body, and there's no shame in understanding and taking care of it.

The Viva Naturals Female Health Hero*

Formulated with a proprietary blend of not one, but 18 unique probiotic strains, each serving of our probiotics for women's digestive health delivers 50 billion CFUs of high quality Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

What makes our probiotic formula even better? We’ve also included cranberry, vitamin C and inulin prebiotic for the ultimate women’s probiotic supplement, and antioxidant support against free radicals.*

Suggested use - simply take 2 capsules daily or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner. Our probiotics for women's digestive health are made for women’s specific needs, with probiotics to help replenish vaginal flora with beneficial bacteria.*

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References:

1. Cleveland Clinic. (August 2022). Vagina. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22469-vagina (Accessed: 07 August 2023).
2. Lin YP, et al. (2021).  Diagnostics (Basel), 11(11): 1996.
3. Everyday Health. (September 2017). 8 Rules for a Healthy Vagina. https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx (Accessed: 19 July 2023).
4. Health. (December 2022). Best Food for Vaginal Health. https://www.health.com/condition/sexual-health/best-foods-for-vagina (Accessed: 19 July 2023).