An Army of Bacteria Protects Vaginal Health
By: Deborah Agbakwuru
Tags: Womens Health, Medication, Health, Health Foods, Supplements

An Army of Bacteria Protects Vaginal Health

Highly specialized bacterial probiotics maintain balance

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Years ago I was a “specimen” in a research study. I drank the fermented water of pap each day for several weeks. Then, I was given a stick to swab around my vaginal surface. Microbiological tests were performed on the swab stick to check for the presence and quantity of the probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). Of course, the probiotic was observed in sufficient quantity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defined probiotics as live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body in adequate amounts.

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial microorganisms especially bacteria and yeast. Probiotics can also be obtained from foods prepared by bacterial fermentation. Examples of such food include yogurt, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, pickles, and some type of cheese, not forgetting the fermented water of pap.

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Our bodies have good and bad bacteria

Our body are filled with healthy bacteria, but also can be exposed to harmful bacteria. Probiotics are known as good, friendly, and healthy bacteria. Antibiotics kill bacteria both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics, therefore, help to restore the good bacteria lost to lost frequent or prolonged use of anti-bacterial medication.

A highly specialized army of bacteria exists in the vagina. These bacteria are always at work keeping the vagina pH balanced, healthy, and in good order. These bacteria fight hostile and unhealthy bacteria.

However, antibiotics use can disrupt this balance. Also, an overgrowth of other microorganisms like bacteria and yeast can cause an imbalance and lead to infections. Hence, the need for probiotics. Some medications used to treat these infections also contain some amount of probiotics to restore the normal flora of the vagina.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is the most common strain of probiotics in the series of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for maintaining a healthy vaginal balance and promoting vaginal health.

There is also Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. A study published in the Clinical Microbiology and Infection Journal indicate these strains stick to vaginal epithelial surfaces thereby making it more difficult for hostile bacteria to grow. Thus, vaginal balance is maintained. Hydrogen peroxide, lactic acid, and bacteriocins are produced by the Lactobacillus spp which inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis (a bacterial infection in the vagina).

Capsules, vaginal suppositories, or probiotic foods can help prevent and treat distorted vaginal pH and promote vaginal health. A 2014 study carried out showed that oral consumption, as well as vaginal administration of probiotics, help in the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis and an overall improvement in vaginal health.

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Experts prefer whole foods to supplement as sources of probiotics. Yogurt containing live cultures has been proven to be one of the best sources of lactobacilli.

Consumption of probiotic-containing foods in a healthy woman, like me, has potential benefits with no known risks. You may want to ask how I felt after taking the probiotics for that period of time. The good bacteria multiplied, stuck to my vaginal epithelial surface, and made it more difficult for hostile bacteria to grow. My vagina was happy and healthy, and so was I!