EF#61: The Importance of Vaginal Health - What You Need to Know

Endo Fertility

Welcome to Episode 61! In this episode, I explore the often-taboo subject of vaginal health and its profound impact on women's overall well-being. Join me, Lizzie Alexander, the host of the Endo Fertility podcast, as I talk about the importance of maintaining a healthy vagina, the role of hormones like estrogen, and how conditions such as endometriosis and infections can affect vaginal health. We provide insights and actionable tips to help you take charge of your reproductive health.

EPISODES HIGHLIGHT:

• The significance of a healthy vaginal microbiome and its role in preventing infections.

• Common types of vaginal infections, including yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and how they can impact fertility.

• Symptoms indicating potential issues with vaginal health, such as itching, burning sensations, and unusual discharge.

• The relationship between hormonal changes, pregnancy, and vaginal health.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• pH Testing Kits: Available at pharmacies or online, these kits help monitor your vaginal pH levels throughout your menstrual cycle. Be sure to buy a pH range of 3.5 up to 6.5+. One example from amazon here.

• Probiotics: Specific strains like Lactobacillus crispatus can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome - I love to use Invivo Healthcare's FemmeV (oral and vaginal use) - buy from Amrita Nutrition here* to get 10% off (use my practitioner code: B6SV6H).

• N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): A supplement that can help break down biofilms created by bacteria, making it easier to treat recurrent infections. It is also great for supporting endometriosis by reducing lesions and cysts (Bahat et al., 2022), improving fertility outcomes (Anastasi et al., 2023) and supporting detoxification. I love Pure Encapsulations* and Now* (with Selenium).

• Vaginal Microbiome testing: there are a number of examples that I use in my clinic, e.g. Invivo Healthcare Vaginal EcologiX (International but not US), Evvy (US), Juno Bio - if you want to know more or help with testing just contact me (details below).

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

A number of actionable tips were discussed including:

• Regular pH testing to monitor vaginal health.

• The importance of understanding your microbiome.

• Dietary recommendations to support vaginal and gut health.

• Probiotic use for maintaining a balanced vaginal environment.

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