Let’s face it – women are pretty good at knowing when something is ‘off’ with their vaginal health so much so that they have whole aisles in pharmacies dedicated to help us self-treat the problem.
While medications are great and work for many women, if you find that your vaginal issues keep happening – it’s time to dig deeper.
The vaginal environment
To keep a ‘healthy’ vagina, the different types of organisms (bacteria & yeast) that live there should be in good balance and harmony with each other. When certain situations arise (like changes in our habits, hygiene, health or medications) the balance of that ecosystem can become at risk to overgrowth of opportunistic organisms. One organism starts to outgrow the others, changing the PH of the vagina, and the discharge it produces.
Top 4 causes of vaginal discharge issues
1. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) – This happens when one type of bacteria outgrows the others. Women with BV complain of having fishy smelling vaginal odor that is worse after having sex or near their periods. They also notice thin, ‘grey-ish’ discharge.
2. Yeast infections – Yeast normally lives in the vagina, but when it has its chance, it wants to outgrow all the rest resulting in yeast infections. Women with yeast infections will notice vaginal burning and irritation, especially before their period. Their discharge is usually ‘cheesy’, ‘clumpy’, white and with no odor.
3. Trichomoniasis- This organism is a parasite and not part of our normal vaginal environment! It’s actually one of the most common STD’s worldwide. Women with Trichomoniasis might experience vaginal burning & itching, pain with sex, pain in their stomach, or even pain when they pee. Their discharge is usually thin with an unpleasant smell.
4. Chlamydia and gonorrhea. These organisms are considered STI’s and are not part of the normal vaginal environment. Most women don’t actually notice any symptoms, but if they do they might see green discharge from gonorrhea or changes in their vaginal discharge or abnormal vaginal bleeding from chlamydia.
I’ve tested negative for all of those issues, but I still have abnormal vaginal discharge and smell…?
In my experience, women can notice changes to their vaginal PH without testing positive for BV or vaginal infections. There might be an imbalance in the vaginal environment that we can correct with simple dietary changes and targeted supplements.
Keeping a healthy vaginal environment
Many women will have BV or yeast infections, treat it, just to have it happen again. It’s so freaking annoying! Luckily, we can do things to keep the vaginal environment optimal and prevent recurrent infections. Here are my top tips:
Eat a balanced, hormone friendly diet
Did you know that high blood sugar and high estrogen could increase your risk for yeast infections? That’s why it’s important to eat a diet that’s well balanced, low in simple carbohydrates, and rich in foods that help to balance estrogen like cruciferous vegetables, flaxseeds, and soy. Download my free 3 step dietary guide for hormonal balance here to start.
Look into quitting cigarettes – if you smoke
Cigarettes kill off the “good” bacteria, lactobacilli, in the vagina leaving room for the not so great bacteria to flourish and grow, making women who smoke at risk for recurrent bacterial vaginosis. My advice, get help to quit this bad habit!
Don’t douche!
Cleaning the inside of your vagina with water or soap can disrupt the balance of organisms. Just lightly rinse the outside with water, and allow your vagina to self-clean on the inside.
Have lots of yogurt
Yogurt is filled with bacteria known as lactobacillus, the ‘good’ bacteria inside the vagina. To help promote the growth of these bacteria, have a cup of yogurt with chia seeds every day.
My favorite yogurt recipe
1 cup of high fat yogurt
Sliced cucumbers
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
Mix and enjoy!
Check your vitamin D
Women who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have imbalance in their vaginal microbiome. Check your vitamin D levels and make sure that their optimal!
Still need more help?
There are many natural medicines to help treat vaginal issues, and restore a healthy vaginal environment. Reach out to book your appointment with Dr. Shadi Tabaei today.
References
Sobel, J., Mitchell, C. Bacterial vaginosis: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Uptodate 2020
Sobel, J., Mitchell, C. Candida vulvovaginitis: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Uptodate 2020
Sobel, J., Mitchell, C. Trichmoniasis. Uptodate 2020
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