We don’t talk about vaginas enough. That might seem strange, considering more than half the world own one, but it’s true – talking about our vaginas and their health is still too often seen as embarrassing, or ‘unladylike’ (whatever that means!).
Our reticence to talk about these issues and the stigma that forms around our vulvas does us no favours. It doesn’t stop vaginal health conditions from being important to our overall health and wellbeing, and it can often stop us from getting the assistance or information we need at the right time.
We here at LUMI say it’s time to smash the stigma! By normalising discussion about our vulvas, we help reduce the embarrassment that still surrounds these issues for some women and stop women’s health from being pushed to the sidelines of medical research. So, it’s time we all talked more about vaginas, and we’re happy to lead the conversation!
Today, we lift the lid on all things related to your vulva and its microbiome. We’ll explore some of the common challenges your vagina and the microbes that call it home may face, as well as showcasing how LUMI’s latest showstopper release, Re-Vulvar, can help remedy the situation. Let’s get started!
Dryness Doesn’t Need to Ruin Your Vulva’s Health and Happiness!
Hormonal changes and the impact of aging on the body can have profound effects on the vulva. During menopause, for example, it is common for women to suffer from vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) due to a decrease in estrogen levels in vaginal tissue. VVA has a variety of effects, including the thinning of vaginal walls, increased vaginal dryness and irritation, as well as bleeding and pain during/after sex.
Naturally, such changes can often lead to reduced self-confidence, sex drive, and overall feelings of health anxiety. In fact, some surveys have found that the impact on quality of life associated with VVA is comparable to conditions such as arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPS), asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)!
The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can also trigger VVA or similar symptoms. In particular, postpartum VVA is fairly common, and can impact the thickness of vaginal walls, moisture levels in the vulva, and the makeup of the vaginal microbiome (more on the importance of that in the next section!). The microbiome can also come under threat during pregnancy, becoming more susceptible to infection by unwelcome pathogens that can create significant complications.
So, if you’re suffering from VVA or even just one or two of its symptoms – whether due to menopause, pregnancy, or something else entirely – don’t feel too embarrassed to sort the problem. It’s not worth suffering in silence, especially for something as easily preventable as vulva dryness!
The Dangers of Dysbiosis
Here at LUMI, we’re huge fans of talking about the human microbiome – the trillions-strong community of microbes that colonise our entire body, including the surface of our skin, our gastro-intestinal system, and particularly of interest today, our vulvas! A healthy microbiome is absolutely vital to the short- and long-term health of every part of the body, and the vulva is no exception.
Unfortunately, microbiomes often fall out of balance and certain microbes can easily become over- or underrepresented – we call this dysbiosis. Whilst it’s true that the makeup of vaginal microbiomes naturally differs from woman to woman thanks to factors such as age, race, and contraceptive use – and can shift drastically even within an individual due to the menstrual cycle, age, and menopause – there are still some vaginal microbiome states that are considered to be worrying or even potentially dangerous.
For example, a reduction in the amount of lactobacilli present in the microbiome and an uptick in gram-negative and/or anaerobic bacteria can lead to bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV increases the likelihood of a host of vaginal complications, including heightened risk of bacterial infection, several gynaecological diseases, and premature birth and low birth weight of children when pregnant.
Other potential consequences of vaginal dysbiosis include: a heightened vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases; polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can occur from a reduction of lactobacilli and an increase in Mycoplasma and Prevotella bacteria; and several menstrual disorders that may come about from unusually high levels of various unwelcome bacteria strains. With such serious and wide-ranging risks associated with dysbiosis, we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s absolutely vital to keep the vaginal microbiome as happy, balanced and healthy as possible!
Vanquish Vaginal Dryness and Dysbiosis with Re-Vulvar!
Fortunately, we’ve been hard at work in the LUMI labs creating the perfect companion for your vulva! Meet Re-Vulvar, an all-natural, science-backed intimate serum that moisturises without causing irritation and re-balances your vaginal microbiome.
Re-Vulvar has been specially formulated to help tackle symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). Included aloe and hyaluronic acid help provide lasting hydration to vaginal tissue, whilst red algae increases the natural elasticity of skin. The intimate gel is designed to be used in small amounts for daily use, or more generously to increase comfort and feeling during sex – so VVA and similar conditions that may make sex painful or less enjoyable are worries no longer!
You may already be following best practice when it comes to keeping your vulva free from dysbiosis – things like wearing natural-fabric underwear and changing daily, avoiding overly fragranced or irritation-causing detergents and cleaning products, and not wearing swimsuits for longer than necessary. But it never hurts to give your body a helping hand, and Re-Vulvar is specially designed to do just that!
The intimate gel is packed full of pre- and probiotics that are incredibly effective at keeping your vaginal microbiome in optimal condition. An innovative prebiotic complex helps to promote the health and population of lactobacilli in the vaginal microbiome – an absolutely crucial factor in keeping unwelcome complications at bay! In a test study of the complex involving 48 women, 100% of participants were left satisfied, with 81% reporting an improvement in their sex life.
So, if you’re suffering from VVA, or simply want to keep your vaginal microbiome in tip-top condition, look no further than Re-Vulvar – your vulva’s brilliantly versatile new best friend!
References
-
Borges, S., Silva, J., & Teixeira, P. (2014). The role of lactobacilli and probiotics in maintaining vaginal health. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 289(3), 479–489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-3064-9
-
Brotman, R. M., Shardell, M. D., Gajer, P., Fadrosh, D., Chang, K., Silver, M. I., Viscidi, R. P., Burke, A. E., Ravel, J., & Gravitt, P. E. (2014). Association between the vaginal microbiota, menopause status, and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 21(5), 450–458. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0b013e3182a4690b
-
Han, Y., Liu, Z., & Chen, T. (2021). Role of Vaginal Microbiota Dysbiosis in Gynecological Diseases and the Potential Interventions. Frontiers in microbiology, 12, 643422. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.643422
-
Lev-Sagie A. (2015). Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy: Physiology, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment Considerations. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology, 58(3), 476–491. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0000000000000126
-
Lev-Sagie, A., Amsalem, H., Gutman, Y., Esh-Broder, E., & Daum, H. (2020). Prevalence and Characteristics of Postpartum Vulvovaginal Atrophy and Lack of Association With Postpartum Dyspareunia. Journal of lower genital tract disease, 24(4), 411–416. https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0000000000000548
-
Lev-Sagie, A., De Seta, F., Verstraelen, H., Ventolini, G., Lonnee-Hoffmann, R., & Vieira-Baptista, P. (2022). The Vaginal Microbiome: II. Vaginal Dysbiotic Conditions. Journal of lower genital tract disease, 26(1), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0000000000000644
-
Nappi, R. E., Palacios, S., Bruyniks, N., Particco, M., Panay, N., & EVES Study investigators (2019). The burden of vulvovaginal atrophy on women’s daily living: implications on quality of life from a face-to-face real-life survey. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 26(5), 485–491. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000001260
-
Pendharkar, S., Skafte-Holm, A., Simsek, G., & Haahr, T. (2023). Lactobacilli and Their Probiotic Effects in the Vagina of Reproductive Age Women. Microorganisms, 11(3), 636. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030636
-
Petersen, C., & Round, J. L. (2014). Defining dysbiosis and its influence on host immunity and disease. Cellular microbiology, 16(7), 1024–1033. https://doi.org/10.1111/cmi.12308
-
Potter, N., & Panay, N. (2021). Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers: a review into use, efficacy, and safety. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society, 24(1), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2020.1820478
-
Ramos-E-Silva, M., Martins, N. R., & Kroumpouzos, G. (2016). Oral and vulvovaginal changes in pregnancy. Clinics in dermatology, 34(3), 353–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.02.007
-
Saraf, V. S., Sheikh, S. A., Ahmad, A., Gillevet, P. M., Bokhari, H., & Javed, S. (2021). Vaginal microbiome: normalcy vs dysbiosis. Archives of microbiology, 203(7), 3793–3802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02414-3