The vaginal flora, also known as the vaginal microbiota, plays a vital role in women's intimate health. It creates a natural barrier against pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or bacterial vaginosis. This is a complex ecosystem made up of billions of microorganisms, primarily lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining an acidic pH, which is essential to protect the vagina from infections, inflammation, and imbalances (1). However, many factors can disrupt this delicate equilibrium.

Main Causes of Vaginal Flora Imbalance

The vaginal flora — also called the commensal vaginal microbiota — depends on a delicate balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria. This natural defense system can be disrupted by various internal and external factors, leading to an imbalance in the intimate microbiome and increasing the risk of infections and irritation (2):

• Antibiotics: While essential for treating infections, antibiotics can also eliminate beneficial bacteria, allowing harmful pathogens to multiply.

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations related to menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or the use of contraceptives can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiota.

• Poor intimate hygiene habits: Excessive use of harsh soaps or vaginal douching can disrupt the vaginal pH and eliminate protective bacteria.

• Stress and fatigue: These factors can weaken the immune system and negatively affect the microbial balance of the vaginal ecosystem.

• Inappropriate clothing and underwear: Tight or synthetic fabrics can create a warm, moist environment that promotes the growth of harmful bacteria.

  Identifying the underlying cause of a vaginal flora imbalance is essential for effective treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of an Imbalanced Vaginal Flora?

An imbalance in the vaginal flora can lead to symptoms that affect daily life.
The most common signs include (3):

• Itching, burning sensations, or redness: often linked to vaginitis, which may be caused by an infection.

• Abnormal vaginal discharge: excessive or foul-smelling secretions.

• Pain during sexual intercourse: a disrupted vaginal environment can increase sensitivity and vulnerability to irritation or sexually transmitted infections, such as trichomoniasis.

• Recurring vaginal yeast infections: fungal infections like candidiasis are common when the vaginal microbiota is imbalanced.

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): These can be triggered or worsened by a vaginal flora imbalance.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential to restore the balance of your vaginal flora promptly and consult your healthcare provider.

How to Naturally Restore Vaginal Flora Balance?

To naturally rebalance your intimate microbiota, a few simple habits and lifestyle adjustments can make a real difference.
Here are some essential tips (4):

Adopt Proper Intimate Hygiene

Good intimate hygiene is essential, but it's important to avoid harsh products that can disrupt the vaginal flora. Choose a gentle, soap-free cleanser with a physiological pH, suitable for daily intimate care. Mycogel from Laboratoires Bailleul is an example of a mild cleansing gel specifically designed for sensitive mucous membranes prone to yeast infections. Dermatologically and gynecologically tested, it contains ciclopirox olamine, an antimicrobial agent that helps maintain the balance of the intimate flora while soothing irritation and discomfort.

Wear the Right Clothing

Cotton underwear, which allows the skin to breathe, is highly recommended. Avoid tight-fitting clothing or synthetic fabrics, as they increase perspiration and promote the development of vaginal infections.

Boost Your Immune System

A weakened immune system can make the vaginal flora more vulnerable. To support your immunity, maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stay well hydrated, get enough sleep, and engage in regular physical activity. Managing stress is also crucial to maintaining a strong and effective immune response.

Use Probiotics to Restore Vaginal Balance

Probiotics are valuable allies in restoring the balance of the intimate flora. By promoting recolonization with beneficial bacteria—primarily lactobacilli—they help prevent pathogenic overgrowth by maintaining an acidic pH (5). Some strains of lactobacilli also produce hydrogen peroxide, a natural antibacterial agent that contributes to eliminating infection-causing pathogens. Additionally, lactobacilli can form a biofilm on the vaginal mucosa—a protective layer that acts as a physical barrier, preventing the adhesion and colonization of harmful microbes.

It is particularly beneficial to combine multiple strains of lactobacilli, as their mechanisms of action are complementary: some enhance the acidity of the environment, others stimulate local immune responses, or specifically inhibit pathogenic microorganisms. A high concentration of lactobacilli (≥10⁹ CFU/day) is generally recommended to ensure clinical effectiveness (5).

Harmolya is a dietary supplement specifically formulated to support the balance of the vaginal microbiota. It combines four carefully selected lactobacillus strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. Each capsule contains over 11 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) at the time of manufacture, ensuring an optimal concentration for maximum efficacy.
Harmolya is especially recommended in cases of vaginal flora imbalance, particularly after antibiotic treatment or as a preventive measure against recurrent vaginal infections.

Limit the Use of Antibiotics and Harsh Treatments

Repeated or inappropriate use of antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of the vaginal flora by eliminating not only the bacteria causing the infection, but also the protective lactobacilli (5). During or after antibiotic treatment, it is recommended to combine it with suitable probiotics to preserve or quickly restore the vaginal microbiota, and to reduce the risk of recurrence or secondary infections such as yeast infections.

Did You Know?

There are three types of vaginal flora based on the quantity of lactobacilli (6):
- Type 1 (score 0 to 3): This represents a normal flora with a dominance of lactobacilli.
- Type 2 (score 4 to 6): This is an intermediate vaginal flora where lactobacilli are present in low numbers, without signs of fungal or bacterial infection (such as vaginosis).
- Type 3 (score 7 to 10): This type shows a depletion of lactobacilli, which may indicate bacterial vaginosis.