Vaginal Microbiome and STIs

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Vaginal Microbiome

The correlation between the female vagina and the bacteria that resides within in it is an ongoing avenue of scientific study. Similar to other parts of the body, we already know that the vaginal microbiome affect a woman’s health in more ways than one. From fighting of sexually transmitted infections to encouraging the reproductive process, vaginal microorganisms play a pivotal role in the female human body.

Healthy Vaginal Bacteria

Women’s vaginal health relies heavily on the presence of positive microorganisms. These healthy bacteria are responsible for fighting off infections and facilitating the process of reproduction. Without the good bacteria, infections are much more likely and infertility is almost guaranteed, whether its caused by an infection or the lack of vaginal secretions that support the connection between sperm and egg.

Vaginal Microbiome & Infections

As mentioned earlier, the bacteria in the vagina, good and bad, either fight off or encourage the presence of infection. Without the proper amount of good bacteria, bad bacteria is allowed to flourish and create infections. In a similar way, without the good bacteria, there is less there to fight off any infectious microorganisms that enter the vagina by way of sexual intercourse.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

In an ideal world, the balance inside every woman’s vagina would contain the correct amounts of bacteria and other microorganisms. Those bacteria would then fight off any possible infections and encourage every stage of the reproductive process. However, that is not always the case without undergoing STD testing.

Sexually transmitted infections not only change the level of bacteria in a woman’s vaginal canal, they also have the potential to do irreparable damage. From Pelvic Inflammatory Disease to infertility and even death, infections that can come from unprotected sexual intercourse are extremely dangerous. We recommend yearly STD testing for anyone who is sexually active and immediate medical intervention if any signs of infection occur in between tests.