Vaginal microflora and its impact on protection against genital tract infections

In healthy girls and women aged 16-40 , lactobacilli are the leading part of the vaginal biocenosis. They occupy over 95% of its entire microflora. In addition to them, the vaginal microflora contains over 300 microorganisms, which constitute the remaining 5%, and are:

Doderlein sticks

Doderlein bacilli also have a special evolutionary function - they create an acidic environment in a woman's vagina through which only the strongest and healthiest sperm can break through to the egg. Weak, unhealthy sperm in the acidic environment of the vagina die and do not pass evolutionary selection and survival tests. Therefore, for the birth of healthy children, it is necessary to have a healthy vaginal microflora.

Vaginal microflora

The protective properties of lactobacilli are realized in various ways: through antagonistic effects (hostility towards pathogenic microorganisms that do not occur naturally in the vaginal microflora), the ability to produce lysozyme (an enzyme that, thanks to its properties, plays a significant role in the body's immunity), as well as adhesive properties ( adhesion). However, the main mechanism that ensures the stability of the vaginal microflora is the formation of acids and the production of hydrogen peroxide. Typically, the vaginal contents are acidic (pH = 3.8-4.5) , which is due to the formation of lactic acid. At low vaginal pH, the growth of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms such as gardnerella, streptococci and obligate anaerobes is inhibited.

A feature of the vaginal microflora is its variability under the influence of exogenous factors (external origin) and endogenous factors (internal origin). Biocenosis is influenced by physiological and hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, menopause), phases of the menstrual cycle, as well as various types of menstrual function disorders. The level of sexual activity, the use of antibacterial drugs and hormonal therapy are of great importance. In the case of bacterial vaginosis (Bureau Veritas), which has developed as a result of the action of one or a combination of several factors, there is a significant decrease in the number of lactic acid bacteria. Its consequence is the colonization of the vagina by Gardnerella vaginalis and other pathogenic microorganisms, up to about 200 species in total.

Menstrual cycle

Phase fluctuations occur during the menstrual cycle. In the first days of the cycle, the vaginal pH increases to 5-6, which is associated with the breakdown of blood cells and the endometrium (uterine mucosa). The number of lactobacilli decreases, but the balance is maintained by an increase in facultative and obligate anaerobes. At the end of menstruation, everything is efficiently restored and in the middle of the cycle, in the secretion phase, the pH is 3.8-4.5. Then the content of latoflora, glycogen and lactic acid is maximum. However, when the vaginal microflora is disturbed, the number of lactic acid bacteria decreases. Instead of the standard pH, an alkalinization process is observed, the pH changes from acidic to alkaline and ranges from 4.5 upwards. This results in a decrease in local vaginal immunity and favorable conditions for the development of diseases.

Violation of the vaginal microflora

Disturbance of the balance of vaginal microflora is called bacterial vaginosis (Bureau Veritas), vaginal dysbiosis or vaginal dysbacteriosis. Many factors may contribute to this imbalance, including:

• previous inflammatory diseases of the genital organs,
• long-term and inappropriate use of antibacterial drugs,
• long-term use of an intrauterine device,
• oral contraceptives,
• hormonal surges (e.g. during pregnancy, menopause, etc.),
• cycle disorders,
• disturbed intestinal microflora,
• antibiotic therapy,
• hypothermia (body temperature lowering below 35°C),
• fluctuations in estrogen levels,
• cervical background processes,
• climate change,
• improper hygiene of intimate areas,
• bad diet,
• stress.

These and similar factors may reduce local vaginal immunity, allowing the development of infection, which is the source of unpleasant and often embarrassing ailments affecting women.

Symptoms of violation of vaginal microflora

There are situations when dysbacteriosis is asymptomatic, but the most common symptoms include unusual, gray or white discharge with a characteristic, unpleasant odor known as "fishy", and it is often foamy. Next, there may be burning and itching in the intimate areas and pain when urinating. There may also be swelling, dryness of the mucous membrane, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis

As it turns out, the bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis are able to create biofilms that attach to the vaginal epithelium. This results in reduced susceptibility of microorganisms to exposure, including to drugs. Ineffective treatment and frequent relapses are largely due to the formation of biofilms.

In order to restore the proper vaginal microflora, it is recommended to use specially selected probiotic products intended for female intimate organs. These are preparations containing strains of lactic acid bacteria or probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Their action is aimed at normalizing the vaginal microflora. These agents come in both vaginal and oral forms.

Vaginal microflora with Narum products created especially for women

Narum specialists, in cooperation with Narine Academy, as part of the Femtech project, have created specialized products to support building immunity, they also thought directly about women, creating specific products just for them.
Important! Long-term suppression of the immune system dramatically increases the risk of cancer. This happens because cancer cells are mutated in the body. In a healthy body, they are quickly recognized by T lymphocytes and eliminated, but the lack of immunity increases the risk tenfold that the lymphocytes will bypass the cancer cell, which will result in the progressive and inevitable growth of daughter cancer cells.
To eliminate bacterial vaginosis, antiseptics are used in combination with other drugs. The two-stage therapy regimen involves the use of antiseptics and the restoration of proper vaginal microflora.

Stage I

Narum specialists recommend using the vaginal preparationVagine Akvo as the first stage. Vagine Akvo is a medical device in the form of a liquid intended for use by women to support regeneration processes and reduce discomfort caused by excessive dryness of the vaginal mucosa. The preparation has a soothing and toning effect. It includes the Metabiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402 Narine-F (100%).

Stage II

The second stage, according to the recommendations of Narum specialists, involves the use ofNarum Vagine vaginal capsules. Capsules are used to restore the balance of the microflora of the genital tract. Their composition includes Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402 Narine , Metabiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402 Narine – F and Lactobacillus salivarius. The capsules are covered with a gelatin cover that facilitates the introduction of the product into the vagina.

Metabiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 strain 317/402 Narine – F

Narine-F is a metabiotic , i.e. a microbiological substance containing metabolic products/structural components of probiotic microorganisms, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Er-317/402 Narine bacteria. These substances can make beneficial changes, improving physiological functions, regulatory and metabolic reactions, as well as behavioral (related to the activity of microbiota) in the host body. The use of Narine-F allows you to take care of the microflora of the reproductive tract in a controlled way. It shows promise for functional vaginal disorders. The complex of active metabolites has antibacterial properties that are responsible for the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms, including: Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida or Staphylococcus aureus, without destroying the beneficial microflora. Hydrolytic enzymes optimize the microbiocenosis (the composition of the vaginal microflora) and the immune response is increased. The therapeutic effect of Narine - F results from a combination of the predisposition to create balance conditions in the contact of microflora and epithelium and a direct impact on the functions and reactions of the microorganism by influencing the activity of biofilms and cells. At the same time, the body's own microflora is stimulated. Narine – F also includes various amino acids and vitamins, including: vitamin A, C, E, D ₃ , B ₁ , B ₆ , but also extremely important histidine (one of its functions is to participate in the mobilization of the immune system), methionine (participating, e.g. in the detoxification of the body), and isoleucine (among others . stops some of the toxic reactions occurring in the body), etc.