Vaginal Flora Around the Holidays

We have arrived in the Holiday Season. And I'm sure we are all thinking a lot about food these days. What to make, what to bring, the traditional food you're looking forward to, and maybe even what to avoid? We encourage you to eat all the things that make you happy and full. And we also see the most vaginal imbalances around this time of year. These include yeast and bacterial vaginosis (BV). These imbalances are mostly due to an imbalance in vaginal flora. The bacteria and yeast that throw off this balance LOVE sugar and feed off it. Here are some tips in how to support your vaginal flora through the holidays.
- Limit your sugar intake. This includes of course refined sugar, but also fruit, alcohol, and white grains.
- Take probiotics. Make sure the one you get has Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillis reuteri.
- Do not wear tight fitting, synthetic clothing. Like tights! Instead wear cotton underwear and try to get as much air flow as possible.
- Don’t douche or use soap on your vagina.
- Eat nourishing foods that include vitamin c, fermented foods, monounsaturated fats, omegas, protein, garlic and greens.
- Take a vitamin D supplement.
- Drink plenty of water. This helps you avoid drinking sugary or alcoholic drinks and keeps your cell walls hydrated so they can fight the bacterial imbalance.
- Get on a daily immune boost regiment like garlic, elderberry, ginger, fire cider etc.

BV Symptoms:
- Fishy smell to discharge
- Burning of Vaginal tissue.
- Thin watery, grey discharge.

Yeast Symptoms:
- Discharge is white and clumpy
- Itching and burning of vaginal tissues
- Dryness
- Pain in the vulval area when urinating

If you notice symptoms, contact your midwife or other health care provider and get treatment recommendations. No one wants to start 2020 with their vaginal flora out of whack!