Vaginal Health

Welcome to a comprehensive resource dedicated to supporting your understanding of vaginal, pelvic, and reproductive health.

Here, you’ll find essential information on topics ranging from menstrual cycles and hormonal changes to managing vaginal infections and understanding how pregnancy affects your vulva and vagina.

You’ll get clear, reliable knowledge to help you navigate your health with confidence.

Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of changes of life stage or facing more complex health concerns, My Vagina is here to support you. 

Your gut bacteria as an endocrine partner in oestrogen-driven cancers

A new review reframes the gut microbiome as an active endocrine partner in oestrogen-driven cancers, expanding the estrobolome concept.

Understanding vaginal tastes (the good and the bad)

A comprehensive overview of how different elements like diet, hygiene, and natural body secretions impact the taste of a vagina.

What to do if you have unprotected sex and may be or are pregnant

We run through your basic options for what to do if you think you might be pregnant.

Infections

Several common vaginal infections affect millions of women all over the world every day, with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections being the most frequent. But, don’t forget aerobic vaginitis (AV) and urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Why does my vagina smell bad? 

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when the balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, leading to an overgrowth of disruptive bacteria.

Symptoms of BV can include a thin, greyish discharge with a fishy odour, particularly noticeable after sex and your period. But, some people experience no symptoms at all.

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) can also cause a foul odour, but it’s different to BV. See your doctor and get tested, or do an at-home comprehensive vaginal microbiome test. Send us the results and we’ll help you! Free! 

Why is my vagina itchy? 

Yeast infections, caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans and related species, are another common issue, which may be recurrent.

Yeast infections can lead to symptoms like intense itching, burning, swelling, and a thick, white discharge that resembles cottage cheese. But, it usually doesn’t smell bad. 

Yeast infections can be triggered by hormonal changes, antibiotic use, diet changes, or wearing moisture-trapping clothing or a wet bathing suit. 

Do I have an STI?

Sexually transmitted infections are common – is it chlaymdia, trich, gonorrhoea, HPV, and herpes. HIV and syphilis are also unfortunately on the rise in women. 

STIs need to be tested for and treated, so see your doctor for the best  testing or find an at-home provider who does STI testing. 

Getting help with infections

Here you’ll find what you need to know about how to treat issues effectively and what your options are, with lots of effective non-drug treatments for the most common issues, shipped internationally – free. And, we help you – free! 

See an experienced naturopath and get a fresh perspective

We also provide access to the world’s very best vulvovaginal specialist naturopaths, who work 100% holistically, anywhere in the world via telehealth.

Get the care you need, with drug-free natural treatments that work. We ship free globally. Book today. 

Baker’s yeast for yeast infections – is it helpful?

Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) reined in Candida and calmed inflammation in early lab and mouse studies of recurrent thrush.

Vaginal NK cells help repair the vaginal barrier during infection

Early preprint research suggests vaginal natural killer (NK) cells help maintain and repair the vaginal barrier during infection, not just fight the pathogen.

How protective vaginal bacteria fight trichomoniasis

Can probiotics fight trichomoniasis? How protective vaginal bacteria resist trich - and why they support treatment, not replace it.

HORMONES

Your body relies on a finely tuned balance of hormones to regulate your menstrual cycle, mood, energy levels, and overall health.

The primary hormones involved in reproductive health are estrogen, progesterone, and luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Estrogen is crucial for developing and maintaining the reproductive system, thickening the uterine lining each cycle in preparation for pregnancy, whether you want it or not, and supporting vaginal health. Estrogen is also essential for bone, skin, and cardiovascular health.

Progesterone, produced after ovulation, stabilises the uterine lining and acts as a sedative and anti-anxiety, and also has an impact on vaginal tissue and the pelvic floor. Progesterone also helps the body prepare for pregnancy.

LH and FSH, produced by the pituitary gland, play key roles in ovulation by stimulating the ovaries to release a mature egg.

Testosterone is important for mood, energy, and also plays an important role in vaginal tissue health. 

Hormonal issues can arise in our premenopausal years, including:

Then, in your early 40s, perimenopause starts, where progesterone starts to decline. Then you stop getting periods altogether, at menopause, and become postmenopausal

Your gut bacteria as an endocrine partner in oestrogen-driven cancers

A new review reframes the gut microbiome as an active endocrine partner in oestrogen-driven cancers, expanding the estrobolome concept.

Where you are in your menstrual cycle may change how you respond to a vaccine

A large study links follicular-phase COVID-19 vaccination with more reported side effects, hinting that your menstrual cycle shapes immune response.

Do ovaries do anything after menopause? They may ‘turn immune’

New research suggests ovaries are not dormant after menopause and may take on a surprising immune role.

SEX AND SEXUALITY

Does the O-Shot work? First controlled trial on vaginal PRP

The first placebo-controlled trial of vaginal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) found most premenopausal women reported better sexual function at six months.

Aunt Vadge: I’m 35, a virgin, and I’ve got questions about sex!

Scared first-time sex will hurt, especially after a painful exam? It can absolutely be pleasurable - how to ease into penetration at your own pace.

Understanding and treating keratin pearls

Keratin pearls, tiny irritants formed by keratin and squamous cells, can cause significant clitoral pain.

PERIODS AND THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Where you are in your menstrual cycle may change how you respond to a vaccine

A large study links follicular-phase COVID-19 vaccination with more reported side effects, hinting that your menstrual cycle shapes immune response.

Polymenorrhea (more than one period within 21 days)

Periods arriving more than once every 21 days? Here are the hormonal and structural causes of polymenorrhea, and when frequent bleeding needs checking.

Oligoovulation: infrequent ovulation explained

Ovulating infrequently? Oligoovulation means cycles over 35 days or fewer than eight or nine periods a year – here's what drives it and why it matters.

The impact of PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND POST-BIRTH

Hyperreactio luteinalis: swollen ovaries during pregnancy

Hyperreactio luteinalis is a benign, hCG-driven swelling of the ovaries in pregnancy that looks alarming but almost always settles after birth.

Aunt Vadge: I’m pregnant and struggling with BV and UTIs

Pregnant and battling constant BV, UTIs and yeast? Why severe pain needs urgent review, why to skip boric acid, and how to address the nutrient and gut drivers safely.

What is lochia? Understanding post-birth vaginal discharge

What lochia (postpartum bleeding) is, its three stages, what's normal after a caesarean, and the warning signs that need urgent care.

Pelvic CANCERs

Your gut bacteria as an endocrine partner in oestrogen-driven cancers

A new review reframes the gut microbiome as an active endocrine partner in oestrogen-driven cancers, expanding the estrobolome concept.

BV and ovarian cancer – is there a link?

Can an unhealthy vaginal microbiome contribute to or cause ovarian cancer? Researchers look into it.

In utero exposure to DES

DES is a synthetic oestrogen given to millions of women during the 50s and 60s, before it was found to possibly cause vaginal cancers in female offspring.

ANATOMICAL ABNORMALITIES

Aunt Vadge: I can’t find my vagina!

Can't find your vaginal opening for a tampon? It's not an obvious hole - it's tucked in soft folds. A gentle, step-by-step guide to finding it.

Aunt Vadge: What is this little bud on my vulva?

Worried your vulva or vaginal opening doesn't look like the diagrams? You're almost certainly normal - the likely simple reason, and a calm plan for seeing a doctor.

Aunt Vadge: What kind of intersex am I?

Wondering if you're intersex - 'something' inside your vagina, odd periods, stalled puberty? Those are real clues worth investigating. How to get real answers.