Bacteria in the Vagina

There are lots of bacteria inside the vagina, and they're there to protect it. Professor Ronnie Lamont, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist (RCOG),  says: "The vagina contains more bacteria than anywhere else in the body after the bowel, but the bacteria are there for a reason".

The good bacteria inside the vagina :
Provide "numerical dominance ": they outnumber other potential harmful bacteria that might enter the vagina.

Help to keep the vagina's PH balance (how acidic the vagina is)  at an even level, which helps to keep the balance of bacteria healthy.
Can produce bacteriocins(naturally occurring antibiotics) to reduce or kill other bacteria entering the vagina.

Produce a substance that stops invading bacteria sticking to the vagina walls, which prevents bacteria from invading the tissues.
If the balance of bacteria is disturbed, this can lead to infection and inflammation. Bacteria called Lactobacilli help to keep the vagina's pH balance at its normal low level (less than pH 4.5), which also prevents the growth of other organisms.

 If the pH of the vagina increases (in other words, if it gets less acidic), the quality or amount of lactobacilli will fall and other bacteria will multiply. This can result in infections such as bacteria vaginosis or thrush, which can causes symptoms including itching, irritation and abnormal discharge.