The healthy vaginal flora
The composition of adult vaginal flora is formed from puberty as a result of female hormonal cycle. By this, human body naturally ensures the protection of genitals. The body forms a so-called acid mantle for which the Lactobacilli (Doderlein flora) produce lactic acid and hydrogen-peroxide from the sugar (lactose) in the vagina. In this way, under natural conditions, the mucous membrane of vagina ensures the maintenance of the constant acidity of vagina. This process helps prevent the proliferation of pathogens in vagina and the formation of vaginal infection, vaginal discharge or diseases with serious consequences or sterility. Therefore, the sound acid mantle and ensuring the appropriate pH are of key importance. While the pH of the skin protecting the body from outside is 5.5, that of the vagina is ideally between pH 3.6 - 4.5 (neutral pH is 7.0).
There are several factors (e.g. the high chlorine content of swimming pool water or the proliferation of pathogens) to trigger the damage of acid mantle and to reduce its protection against infections.
The microbiology of vagina
Human body is the home of many microorganisms. Vagina is not sterile: the vaginal biota (human cells and the “inhabitants”) forms a more or less closed, peaceful ecosystem.
The basis of the normal vaginal flora and the protection of hormonally active adult women (from puberty until menopause) is lactobacilli. They live together with several other microorganisms, in a healthy person in equilibrium and “peace”. Additionally, vaginal flora includes coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteriodes, Eubacterium, Veillonella, Fusobacterium, aerobic Streptococcus (incidentally Streptococcus pyogenes), Escherichia coli, other gram negative bacilli, Candida and Torulopsis as well.
Therefore, the ecological system of vagina is very complex, and its sensitive equilibrium can easily be disturbed. The excessive proliferation of any of the above microorganisms usually triggers discomfort for women. It is interesting that even the excessive proliferation of lactobacilli triggers symptoms.
The equilibrium of vaginal flora, i.e. the life of the “inhabitants” is influenced by many factors,
mostly by:
menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause;
materials entering vagina (e.g. contaminated water, chemicals);
pathogens entering vagina (infections);
individual hygiene;
sexual activity and sexual habits;
condition of immune system (mostly the compromise or disease thereof);
antibiotic or estrogen treatment;
vaginal surgery or prolonged vaginal bleeding.
By using PekoBelt, you can preserve the health of vaginal flora. The patch prevents pathogens and chemicals from entering vagina from water or wet objects.
