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78 INTIMATE CARE


Breaking taboos: the role of the vaginal microbiome


Marina Becker - MyMicrobiome


Thanks to the growing awareness and scientific research about the gut microbiome, nowadays, words like gut flora, stool sample and probiotics are well-known and more commonly used than even a few years ago. This field of research opened the door for further studies about different kinds of microbiomes in the human body, like the oral and skin microbiome. Another microbiome, that is rarely publicly


talked about, is the vaginal microbiome. Even though most women worldwide have experienced different kinds of uncomfortable symptoms that disturb their daily life, topics like yeast infections, infertility, intimate personal care and reproductive health are still taboo and mostly only talked about behind closed doors or obstetrics/gynecology offices. This makes it harder for women to open up


and often leaves them feeling alone with their problems. Facing the decision of either resorting to another course of antibiotics - that often do not help or can cause other problems - or using commercial intimate care products that claim to help with vaginal dryness or ‘unwanted smells’. Luckily, this is changing now and knowledge


about the vaginal microbiome is spreading. Like with everything, knowledge is power and learning more about the vaginal microbiome will empower women to take care of their intimate wellbeing. In order to raise awareness about all things microbiome, MyMicrobiome created the educational platform MyMicrobiome.info as well as the world’s first and only certification mark for ‘Microbiome-friendly’ personal care products and textiles, working with the cosmetic industry to change the standards of beauty and health. To fully understand where we are right now in


regards to vaginal health, we first have to take a look at the history of women’s health in general. Where we discover that it is still a fairly new area of scientific research.


The science and history of women’s health In the past, there were thought to be no differences in the physiology of male and female bodies – except for the reproductive organs. But not all sex-related differences are due to hormones.1


Until 1993, women of reproductive


age were excluded from drug trials due to the potential risk for their offspring. This means, clinical studies with women have only been done for less than 30 years, which led to a shortage of data about the effects of drugs on female bodies.2


PERSONAL CARE May 2023


Most research studies before the early


2000s were done with only male subjects and those including females did not analyze their data in regards to sex. Also, medical physiology textbooks and curriculae did not address further physiological differences between the sexes until after 2006.3 Yet even now, there is still a gap in the


knowledge about male and female health, as a 2019 study from Copenhagen showed. It found that across 770 diseases, women are diagnosed about four years later than men.4


on its role in childbirth.


What is the human microbiome? The term ‘microbiome’ refers to the trillions of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses that live in and on the human body. Different parts of the body are host to subsets of microbiomes like the nasal, oral, skin or gut microbiome. Each is its own ecosystem. Inhabited by different communities of microorganisms, called microbiota. Even though this field of study is fairly new,


too, the last 20 years have undoubtedly shown the microbiome’s crucial role in every aspect of health, from digestion and metabolism to immune system, brain and heart function, and many others. A microbiome that is out of balance, or dysbiotic, can lead to disorders like


inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, allergies, and cancer.6


What about the vaginal microbiome? The microbiome in the vagina is a dynamic ecosystem that changes during a woman’s entire life and is as unique as her fingerprint. It is characterized by a low number of microbial species and is mainly dominated by different types of Lactobacillus. Compared to the gut, that houses thousands


of bacterial species, the vaginal microbiome only hosts about 200 species.7


Whereas


microbial diversity is a marker for health in other microbiomes (like gut and skin), it is actually a potential factor for dysbiosis in the vaginal microbiome.8


www.personalcaremagazine.com As


for the vaginal microbiome: It has been studied for two decades and its importance has been recognized.5


Yet, the research was mainly focused


ABSTRACT


This article explores a specific part of the human microbiome that has not gained as much attention as the well- established gut or skin microbiome – yet. It delves into the exciting microcosm of the vaginal microbiome and breaking taboos by discussing its role in women’s health, its implications for pregnancy, birth and beyond, as well as the future of product formulation and health-conscious marketing in the cosmetic industry.


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