The vaginal ecosystem impacts all women on a daily basis: young and old, sexually active or not, those who have children and those who do not. And yet our scientific understanding of how the vagina maintains healthy balance has lagged far beyond other fields of medicine. But in good news for all women and the men who love them, new science is helping us understand how supporting a healthy vaginal ecosystem is critical to many aspects of women’s health.

We recommend reading these full articles below for the newest medical science. In the event you are pressed for time, these Cliff notes for each of the studies will help you better understand why supporting your own natural vaginal balance is so important!

Anderson DJ et al, 2014: “When in balance, the vagina is best at fighting off disease. The cells directly lining the vagina are older cells that are exfoliated (just like skin cells) with fresh cells appearing every 4 hours. This exfoliation of vaginal cells helps shed any bad bacteria that contact the vagina. As these cells shed, they release the glycogen that produces sugars to feed good bacteria in order to make lactic acid and maintain a healthy vaginal pH. These vaginal lining cells are also covered with a mucus layer, which is enriched with antimicrobial proteins. This mucus layer traps and kills bad bacteria and viruses. A healthy vaginal ecosystem can best fend off diseases three ways: 1) by exfoliation of the vaginal cells into the canal, 2) by providing glycogen to bolster good bacteria and create a low pH; and 3) by producing mucus and antibacterial agents that trap germs before they can penetrate deep into the vagina.” Dr. E Summary

Mirmonsef P et al, 2014 & Mirmonsef P et al, 2015: “The glycogen from vaginal cells (which is broken down into sugars to feed the good lactic acid producing bacteria) is up 30 times lower in women after menopause than in younger women. It is also lower in women who smoke and women who have chronic vaginal infections. Douching may also disrupt healthy glycogen production. This decrease in glycogen and sugars for good bacteria to eat results in lower numbers of good bacteria; a higher vaginal pH; and a dramatic increase in the rate of vaginal infections.” Dr. E Summary