For those of us with a vagina, we know all too well how fickle they can be when it comes to keeping them free of unwanted bacteria. Yeast infection, anyone? When your vagina is healthy, it’s full of ‘good’ bacteria that keep the ‘not-so-good’ bacteria at bay. So, how do you keep your vagina healthy and balanced? 

First, let’s talk about the difference between the ‘good’ bacteria versus ‘bad’ bacteria. 

‘Good’ bacteria keeps the vagina slightly acidic which in turn keeps the ‘bad’ bacteria from growing too much. This helps to maintain the right level of acidity. A healthy vagina is slightly acidic. Overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria ultimately causes problems like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis(BV). 

What causes your vaginal bacteria to become unbalanced? Lots of things actually. Antibiotics, tight pants, vaginal products, and pregnancy, just to name a few. If you think your vaginal flora may be off kilter, a good place to start is with discharge. Vaginal discharge is normal and healthy when it’s “slippery and clear or whitish when moist, may turn yellowish when dried, and has little odor.” You may have cause for concern if your “discharge has an odd color (yellow, greenish, gray or thick white) and… [has] a strong, unpleasant odor.” Additional symptoms that might indicate an infection include swelling, itching or burning in and around the vagina and vulva. The best thing to do is consult your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis. 

Often, the symptoms are very similar for different types of ailments like yeast infections and BV. However, these two common issues need to be treated differently. It’s a good idea to get tested and diagnosed by your doctor rather than trying to self-diagnose. “In a recent survey conducted by the American Sexual Health Association, about 62% of women mistook BV for a yeast infection prior to diagnosis.”

If your bacteria is balanced, the vagina does a good job of keeping itself “clean with natural, healthy vaginal secretions.” A good way to ensure your vagina can do this is the same way you keep your whole body healthy, with a nutritious diet and good hygiene. 

Here is a list of some do’s and don'ts to keep your vagina healthy & balanced: 

• “DON’T douche—it upsets the natural balance of the vagina. Most doctors and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggest that women steer clear of douching. Douching may make a woman more prone to vaginal infections.
• DO wash your vaginal area with mild, unscented soap. There is no need to use anything special to clean the vulva and vagina. Rinse well and pat dry.
• DO wipe your vagina and anus from front to back to avoid spreading germs.
• DO take antibiotic medicine only when needed. Antibiotics can kill ‘good’ bacteria in the vagina.
• DO try to stay as dry as possible. To reduce sweating and moisture, wear cotton or cotton-lined underpants and avoid tight pants.”

Read more about this at American Sexual Health Association’s Article, “Vaginal Health”. https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/vaginalhealth/