Genitourinary infections affect more than 1 billion women worldwide every year and are the most common reason a women will see a gynecologist. These infections can be bacterial in nature (called bacterial vaginosis) or fungal in nature (called vulvovaginal candidiasis). The types of bacteria in the vaginal canal will fluctuate based on a variety of factors including hormone levels, diet, sexual contact, and douching; however, the basic composition is Lactobacilli-dominant in healthy females. It is the depletion of these healthy organisms that can leave a woman prone to urinary and vaginal infections. There are probiotic bacteria that can help in modulating the immune system and displacing pathogens that can cause these infections. A healthy vaginal canal should be colonized by Lactobacilli as the dominant bacterial species. Lactobacilli produce H2O2, which helps maintain a vaginal pH close to 4.0, which is essential for vaginal health. Maintenance of a vaginal pH around 4.0 decreases a woman’s chances of developing vaginosis.
