“What’s the big mystery?
It’s my vagina not the Sphinx.”
– Sex in the City
The 24hr Fix for Vaginal Dryness
The vagina has its own ecosystem, which brings to mind how apt the phrase ‘lady garden’ is. In my imaginary garden there are variety of wonderful plants, which keep the weeds and other nasties at bay. In the vaginal ecosystem, these wonderful plants equate to families of beneficial bacteria that keep the natural system in balance.
One of the most important family of bacteria is Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus keeps the vaginal pH low by producing lactic acid, which in turn, prevents less vagina-friendly yeasts, bacteria, and other organisms from getting a foothold and causing problems. Members of the Lactobacillus family also help to keep the vaginal wall healthy by promoting mucus production and providing a protective barrier against other bacteria, yeasts, and viruses including HIV.
What’s the connection to oestrogen? Oestrogen promotes the release of a sugar called glycogen from the vaginal walls. Glycogen breaks down to glucose which the Lactobacilli use as food, to then produce lactic acid and mucus. Certain strains of Lactobacillus also produce hydrogen peroxide which repels unfriendly vaginal flora such as Candida, E. coli and Gardnerella vaginalis.
At menopause, oestrogen levels decrease and glycogen production in the vaginal walls comes to gradual and complete halt. When Lactobacilli have nothing to feed on their numbers dwindle, leading to vaginal dryness. Low numbers of Lactobacilli means low lactic acid which leads to a more alkaline environment. This leads to colonisation by faecal flora and other pathogens, resulting in a loss in the quality of vaginal health.
Fix Vaginal Dryness with Honey
- Yes honey. Replacing glycogen with honey as a food source for Lactobacilli is the way to avoid vaginal dryness, infection and inflammation. Honey is a source of prebiotic sugars that can take the place of glycogen. Honey can naturally moisturise tissues and feed beneficial bacteria so that they crowd out vaginal pathogens. For my clients, I recommend that they take a small dab of set organic pasteurised honey, apply it to the vaginal wall daily and then use as needed. It’s like moisturising your face – only lower – and on the inside. You should results within 24 hours.
- Pasteurised honey is best, as it has been treated to remove any bacteria – the last thing you need is foreign bacteria in your vagina. Set honey is easier to use than runny honey. Organic is better as it will have minimal toxic pesticides.
Take Prebiotics
- Taking probiotics that maintain the health of the vagina can also be really helpful. I like Women’s Probiotics from Optibac, and usually recommend 2 capsules taken at night. One client reported that not only did her vaginal symptoms normalise, but that her pubic hair became lush and regained its colour from being grey! If you would like to buy them, you can take advantage of my 10% practitioner discount at the Natural Dispensary on-line, using the code SAND10: https://naturaldispensary.co.uk/products/For_Women_90_s-17520-0.html.
Keep well,
Sandra
PS. Don’t forget: this article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should never not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
