You probably saw my 1%
Finally dropping my protocol
A vaginal microbiome is downstream of whole-body health. The goal is ‘Lactobacillus crispatus dominance’ which is the most protective species a vagina can host.
Daily habits
- Cotton underwear
- Sleep 8 hours
- Manage stress
- Stabilize blood glucose
- Move daily
- Don't smoke
What to eat
These are all generally good for health and may support the gut-vagina axis
- Fiber: 25-35g/day
- Fermented foods
- Polyphenols (berries, olive oil, dark chocolate, green tea)
- Omega-3s (fatty fish, flax, chia)
- Adequate iron, especially if you menstruate heavily
- Vitamin D (some studies link low vitamin D to BV)
- Avoid added sugar
- Avoid ultra-processed foods
- Avoid alcohol
What to avoid
Keep in mind that more data is needed on vaginal health… here are some sensible tips on what to avoid:
- Douching. The vagina is self-cleaning
- Scented soaps or "feminine washes"
- Washing inside the vulva, warm water on the outside only
- Boric acid unless treating a confirmed issue (it's not a daily product)
- Probiotic suppositories without a reason
- Leaving tampons in for extended periods
Other tips for you…
Sex hygiene
- Pee after sex if you want… no cost, possibly helpful, evidence is mixed (I do)
- Semen is alkaline (pH ~7.5). Vaginal pH is 3.8-4.5. Repeated unprotected sex with the same partner stabilizes but new exposures destabilize
- FYI, saliva during oral sex transfers oral flora
- Get tested with every new partner
Your testing options:
- Vaginal microbiome test (mine is from Immortals)
- Vaginal pH strips at home (target: 3.8-4.5)
- Full STI panel with every new partner
- Pap/HPV per your country's guidelines
Watch out for…
- Fishy odor (BV)
- Cottage cheese discharge + itch (yeast)
- Frothy yellow-green discharge (trich)
- Burning with urination (UTI/STI)
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Pelvic pain
Fortunately, the vaginal microbiome is one of the most responsive systems in the body. It changes within days of a behavior change.
I hate that taboo topics stop women from getting access to healthcare
This is why I measure my vaginal microbiome every day (it’s part of a 14 million data point female health experiment).