probiotics for vaginal balance - kefir · 1/22/2015 probiotics for vaginal balance blackmores ......

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1/22/2015 Probiotics for vaginal balance Blackmores http://www.blackmores.com.au/womenshealth/probioticsforvaginalbalance 1/3 BLACKMORES 27 Sep 2010 Blackmores (https://plus.google.com/+BlackmoresAus) Probiotics for vaginal balance 57 views 2 min to read Probiotics to restore and balance vaginal flora can help women who suffer from vaginal infections. So what are probiotics, and how can they help? Naturopath Jennifer McLennan explains. Women's health (/womenshealth) What are probiotics? Probiotics are regarded as live bacteria that are able to provide health benefits to the host. They are ingested through foods or supplements and are known to adhere to the bowel wall. Apart from supplements, foods rich in “good” bacteria include yoghurt, sauerkraut and fermented foods. Many of us are aware of the benefits of probiotics in the bowel, but we now know that certain strains of probiotics taken orally are able to survive the gastrointestinal tract and ascend into the vagina from the rectum. 0 comments

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Page 1: Probiotics for vaginal balance - Kefir · 1/22/2015 Probiotics for vaginal balance Blackmores ... Probiotics to restore and balance vaginal flora can help women who suffer from vaginal

1/22/2015 Probiotics for vaginal balance ­ Blackmores

http://www.blackmores.com.au/womens­health/probiotics­for­vaginal­balance 1/3

BLACKMORES

27 Sep 2010Blackmores (https://plus.google.com/+BlackmoresAus)

Probiotics for vaginal balance

57 views  2 min to read

Probiotics to restore and balance vaginal flora can help women whosuffer from vaginal infections. So what are probiotics, and how canthey help? Naturopath Jennifer McLennan explains.

Women's health (/womens­health)

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are regarded as live bacteria that are able to provide health benefits to the host. They areingested through foods or supplements and are known to adhere to the bowel wall.

Apart from supplements, foods rich in “good” bacteria include yoghurt, sauerkraut and fermentedfoods. Many of us are aware of the benefits of probiotics in the bowel, but we now know that certainstrains of probiotics taken orally are able to survive the gastro­intestinal tract and ascend into thevagina from the rectum.

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Page 2: Probiotics for vaginal balance - Kefir · 1/22/2015 Probiotics for vaginal balance Blackmores ... Probiotics to restore and balance vaginal flora can help women who suffer from vaginal

1/22/2015 Probiotics for vaginal balance ­ Blackmores

http://www.blackmores.com.au/womens­health/probiotics­for­vaginal­balance 2/3

Vaginal infections

Vaginal infections can occur when the dominant bacteria in the vagina, Lactobacilli, becomeovertaken by other bacteria or fungal micro­organisms. Common predisposing factors that can alterthe vaginal flora include:

Read Jennifer’s article ‘Is it fungus or bacteria?’ for more information about fungal and bacterialinfections (/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=web%3a%7bB3A8E186­471D­4827­A2A1­D005D30135A3%7d%40en).

How probiotics work in the vagina

Healthy vaginal flora, dominated by Lactobacilli, act as a first line of defence preventing infectiousagents from causing damage. Probiotics, particularly Lactobacilli in the vagina, are believed to workin the following ways:

The nifty micro­organism­destroying features that probiotics possess seem to be a potent weaponthat the body can use in the defence against invading bugs.

Prevention

Here are some ways to prevent vaginal infection and encourage healthy vaginal flora:

Medications, such as antibiotics•Increased hormone levels•Poor immunity•New sexual partners (common in bacterial vaginosis)•

Production of lactic acid, keeping the vaginal environment acidic. The acid environment makes itdifficult for ‘bad’ bugs to grow. 

Production of hydrogen peroxide by Lactobacilli makes a harsh environment for a nasty micro­organism, decreasing the likelihood of them thriving.

Lactobacilli can block other organisms from attaching to the vaginal wall and taking hold. It canalso compete with and displace “bad” micro­organisms that have already adhered to the vaginalwall.

Probiotics are also thought to stimulate the host’s immune system and activate cells to kill off“bad” micro­organisms.

Choose underwear made from natural fibres which are able to breath. This helps to stop fungusfrom thriving.

Avoid perfumed products such as feminine deodorant sprays, soap and toiler paper, as they canalter the flora in the vagina.

Wipe from front to back when going to the toilet, as this may help to prevent the spread of micro­organisms from the anus.