The influence of intimate hygiene on vaginal microbiota and health

Abstract

Abstract There is a direct correlation between the vaginal microbiome and the health of a woman’s reproductive system. The microbiome is mainly composed of lactic acid rods – Lactobacillus, the metabolism of which ensures an acidic pH, playing a protective role for vaginal homeostasis. One of the typical disorders of homeostasis is bacterial vaginosis, defined as predominance of group IV CST system bacteria (comprising different genera characterized by anaerobic metabolism), which is an essential problem of the female population all over the world. The maintenance of this homeostasis can be restored by medicinal preparations. In addition to well-known antibiotics aimed at inhibiting the development of bacterial pathogens, probiotics and products that promote the development of beneficial microbiota are increasingly used. It seems more relevant not to cure, but to prevent imbalance of homeostasis. For this purpose, women use different washing and care techniques of external genitalia. Women’s everyday practices also include the use of washing preparations from the group of cosmetics; however, little is known about their impact on the microbiota. These products potentially constitute an element of early prevention, which is highly beneficial for female health. The main controversial type of ingredients are cleaning surfactants, which can lead to disruption of the epidermal barrier and to breakthrough of pathogens.