Food sources of probiotics are good for maintaining vaginal health

Our body is a place for bacteria to live. There are different types of bacteria that live in certain parts of your body, including the vagina. In the vagina, there are more than 50 unique species of bacteria, such as those in the digestive tract. Don't panic, these bacteria are good bacteria that can maintain vaginal health. However, if these good bacteria are threatened by bad bacteria, the vagina will be susceptible to infection.

For that, you need to maintain the balance of bacteria in the vagina. One way is to eat foods that contain good bacteria or probiotics.

How can probiotics maintain vaginal health?

The good bacteria in the vagina, especially the Lactobacillus type, can protect the vaginal tract from bad bacteria or disease-causing microorganisms. Good bacteria work by stopping the base formation of disease-causing microorganisms.

The good bacteria can create an acidic vaginal environment (maintaining a healthy vaginal pH environment) so as to prevent the growth of bad bacteria. This is done by producing lactic acid in the vagina. Hydrogen peroxide is also produced by good bacteria to inhibit the development of bacteria or microorganisms that cause vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis.

Most importantly, probiotics or good bacteria can also increase the body's immune response. Thus, it can help fight infections that attack the body as a whole, not only for maintaining vaginal health but also for the health of the bladder and digestive tract.

What are good sources of probotic foods for the vagina?

Estrogen levels and lower vaginal pH changes can cause a decrease in the Lactobacillus population in the vagina, allowing bad bacteria to replace them and infect the vagina. So, by increasing the number of good bacteria in the body through food, it can maintain the position of good bacteria, especially Lactobacillus, to protect the vagina from infection.

Research, reported by the Medical Daily, has also proven a link between a probiotic-rich diet and a boost in the immune system and hormonal balance. Some food sources of probiotics that can maintain vaginal health are:

• Yogurt, is milk added with Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria so that fermentation occurs.
• Kefir, is goat's milk fermented with good bacteria.
• Kimchi, is a typical food from Korea which is a product of fermented vegetables, especially chicory.
• Sauerkraut, almost the same as kimchi but originating from mainland Europe, sauerkraut is fermented cabbage.
• TempeThis native Indonesian food is fermented soybeans with yeast or good bacteria.
• Miso, is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented wheat, soybeans, rice, or barley with a mushroom called koji.
• Pickle or pickle, is a fermented cucumber by soaking it in a solution of salt and water.
• Kombucha tea, is a green tea drink or black tea that is fermented with bacteria.
• Other fermented foods.

Apart from consuming probiotics, maintaining vaginal hygiene is also important

It is also important to maintain vaginal hygiene so that you avoid bacterial infections. Although the vagina actually has its own system for cleaning itself, you still have to do some things to keep the environment in the vagina balanced.

Some things you can do to keep your vagina clean are:

• Clean the vagina regularly, just with warm water. Or, you can also use vaginal cleansing products (not soap) that contain povidone-iodine, if needed, especially during "red days" (menstruation).
• Clean the vagina from front to back so that germs in the anus do not spread to the vaginal area.
• Keep the vaginal area dry. We recommend that you choose underwear from cotton that is easy to absorb sweat and avoid wearing tight pants or skirts. Wipe the area around the vagina with a soft towel after showering or after going to the toilet.
• Avoid cleaning the vagina by douching because it can disrupt the balance of natural bacteria in the vagina. Also avoid using scented wipes, scented soaps, or vaginal deodorants.
• Change pads regularly when you menstruate.
• Lubricate the vagina well before sexual intercourse to avoid irritation.

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