Vaginal flora: definition, role, preservation |Parents.fr

Intimate hygiene: what is the vaginal microbiota?

Vaginal flora, or vaginal microbiota, is the set of microorganisms living in a woman's vagina. Their role is to prevent a pathogen from proliferating and leading to mycosis or bacterial vaginosis, for example. The vaginal flora is therefore made up of “good” bacteria whose balance must be preserved to avoid infections.

The dominant vaginal flora is made up of one to four species of lactobacilli, a family of bacteria found in particular in yogurt.

We talk about Döderlein flora to group together all these lactobacilli, which essentially belong to the species Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus jensenii, and Lactobacillus iners. We also speak of dominant flora. In the absence of any pathology or imbalance, the concentration of lactobacilli is between 105 and 108 bacteria per gram of vaginal secretion. An abundant Döderlein flora is in a way a guarantee of “good vaginal health”, with a low risk of infections, while a poor or scarce Döderlein flora exposes you to a greater risk of dysregulation and therefore of infections. .

Döderlein flora: lactobacilli that act on the pH of the vagina

In reality, the vagina contains a small amount of “bad” bacteria and other potentially pathogenic microorganisms when present in high concentrations. The flora of Döderlein, or bacilli of Döderlein, produce in particular lactic acid which will block the proliferation of bad germs in the vagina. These lactobacilli will also help maintain the pH of the vagina between 3.8 and 4.2, which corresponds to an acid pH.

Along with this dominant flora, it happens that species from the intestinal or digestive flora (we speak of intestinal microbiota) and the oropharyngeal flora of men are found in the vaginal flora of a woman. We then speak of minor flora.

When a factor, most often external, disturbs the fragile balance of the vaginal flora, the risk of contracting a mycosis (linked to a yeast or a fungus), bacterial vaginosis, cystitis or even a sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia for example) increases.

Factors that can unbalance the vaginal flora include, among other things, wearing clothes and underwear that are too tight, taking medication (especially antibiotics), hormonal factors (pregnancy, menopause, menstruation), tobacco, stress, fatigue, or even unsuitable, too frequent or too aggressive intimate hygiene (see below).

Rebuild and restore your vaginal flora using probiotics

After a mycosis or bacterial vaginosis, after antibiotic treatment (oral or intravaginal), or even after using tampons during menstruation, it is possible, preferably on medical advice, to use to probiotics and prebiotics to regenerate or maintain the vaginal flora. These drugs, which also relieve vaginal discomfort (itching, irritation), come in the form of capsules, capsules or ovules to be inserted deep in the vagina, preferably at bedtime. They usually contain one or more lactobacillus species to replenish the Döderlein flora. There are also tampons impregnated with lactobacilli, to be used as periodic protection during menstruation.

Note that if the consumption of probiotics (yogurts, kefir, sauerkraut) are effective for the intestinal microbiota as, more indirectly, for the vaginal microbiota, it would be better to favor the use of specific probiotics by the vaginal route. In this way, the “good” bacteria are already in the medium that they must colonize.

How to do your daily personal hygiene properly while respecting your vaginal flora?

To avoid compromising the fragile balance of the vaginal flora, it is better not to intervene at its level. In other words, it is strongly advised not to clean the inside of the vagina, even with water. Douching is to be avoided, as are all other “vaginal sauna” type “trends” aimed at “purifying” this area. Too much hygiene, for example with three intimate toilets a day, is also not recommended.

The vagina is said to be self-cleaning: vaginal secretions (or white discharge), which are completely normal and natural as long as they do not look unusual or smelly, allow the vagina to get rid of of its waste (dead cells, etc.) and to maintain an optimal pH. No need to intervene at this level, in terms of personal hygiene, only washing the external parts (vulva, lips) is recommended.

Although specific products exist for this area, a simple wash with clear water may be sufficient, in the absence of a pathology requiring more care. We also avoid shower gels and other products that are too irritating, which risk drying out the area, as well as excessively repeated baths, which can disturb the vaginal flora.