bacteria are there for a
reason.”
The good bacteria inside the
vagina:
provide "numerical
dominance": they
outnumber other
potential harmful
bacteria that might enter
the vagina
help to keep the vagina’s
pH balance (how acidic
the vagina is) at an even
level, which helps to
keep the balance of
bacteria healthy
can produce bacteriocins
(naturally occurring
antibiotics) to reduce or
kill other bacteria
entering the vagina
produce a substance that
stops invading bacteria
sticking to the vagina
walls, which prevents
bacteria from invading
the tissues
If the balance of bacteria is
disturbed, this can lead to
infection and inflammation.
JOY FEELINGS
Bacteria called lactobacilli
help to keep the vagina’s
pH balance at its normal low
level (less than pH
4.5), which also prevents the
growth of other organisms. If
the pH of the vagina
increases (in other words, if it
gets less acidic), the quality
or amount of lactobacilli can
fall and other bacteria can
multiply. This can result in
infections such as bacterial
vaginosis or thrush, which
can cause symptoms
including itching, irritation
and abnormal discharge.
Washing your vagina
It’s a good idea to avoid
perfumed soaps, gels and
antiseptics as these can affect
the healthy balance of
bacteria and pH levels in the
vagina, and cause irritation.
Use plain, unperfumed soaps
to wash the area around the
vagina (the vulva) gently
every day. The vagina will
clean itself inside your body
with natural vaginal