Today we’re getting into some real talk about Vaginal Health. It’s something I’ve gotten quite a few questions about and it’s time to break the silence and dispel the common myths around vaginal health. I was so excited to learn about a probiotic designed specifically for feminine balance. I’ve been able to partner with AZO Complete Feminine Balance® to bring you this informative post (All opinions are my own). Be sure to consult your health care provider when starting any new supplement or medications.
Keep reading to play one of our favorite games around here, #FactorFictionwithLL and also to get an exclusive discount on AZO Complete Feminine Balance® probiotic.
FACT OR FICTION
Ready for some vaginal health fact or fiction? Don’t be scared, mamas! Let’s get past the “TMI” and nervous laughter and get serious about owning our days and staying balanced for optimal wellness. Today, let’s recognize we all have bodies and it’s best if we’re comfortable with how they work.
#1 FACT OR FICTION, “It’s normal to have different types of vaginal excretions throughout your cycle.”
Fact! There are different types of vaginal secretions, or discharge, that are normal and can help identify whether you are menstruating, about to ovulate, or have recently ovulated. You may have been told that any discharge is abnormal, but it’s actually VERY normal and healthy to see some.
While breastfeeding, if you haven’t had your period return, you may still notice these changes. Discharge that indicates there may be a problem (and signs that you should talk to your healthcare provider) includes if it has a foul odor, is a different color than you’re used to seeing (like green), is a texture you’ve never seen before or seems strange (for example, looking like cottage cheese), or is accompanied by other symptoms like vaginal pain or itching.
#2 FACT OR FICTION, “You should use a special soap regularly to ensure that your vagina is clean and healthy.”
Fiction! Your vagina is a living thing, just like the rest of you. While you use your hands to touch things at lots of places all day long so it’s good to use soap and really scrub them down sometimes to get rid of excess or harmful germs, the same is not true for your vagina!
In general, vaginas are pretty good at keeping themselves clean (that normal discharge? It can also help get rid of dead skin cells in there too!) and you don’t need to use a douche internally or even soap on the external folds of skin around your vagina (called labia).
In fact, using a lot of soap or douching can wash away GOOD bacteria that help keep things like yeast under control. The best thing for cleaning down there? Plain water!
#3 FACT OR FICTION, “Things may be different down there (your vagina) after you have a baby.”
Fact! This one you may know or have experienced. Having a baby, even if you have a c-section, can really change up things in your nether region, right? Well, it’s more than just the appearance or how things feel.
In fact, your normal discharge may change, your periods may be different, and sex may feel different. Keep note of these changes and if you’re ever worried, definitely talk to your care provider. But hormonal changes, as well as bacterial changes (especially if you ate a different diet due to pregnancy sickness, were in the hospital a long time or after labor), can give you a new normal.
#4 FACT OR FICTION, “I take a probiotic for gut health and it should cover my feminine balance too”
Fiction! Probiotics are something that maintain and restore good bacteria.* Usually, we think of bacteria as “germs” but many of them are considered “good bacteria” and keep us healthy.
Probiotics that are designed for gut health are good at stimulating good “flora” or bacteria that are most likely to call the gut “home”. It won’t cover your vaginal health, though, because the vagina has different strains or types of good bacteria that flourish there. So even if you’re already taking a probiotic for gut health, AZO Complete Feminine Balance® could be a great option for you to discuss with your HCP.
Thanks for stopping by and playing along today! I’ve got a special promo for you today to give AZO Complete Feminine Balance® a try – remember it has been shown to work in as little as 7 days§ . You can save $5 when you use this link (no code needed)!
xo, Lindsey
AZO Complete Feminine Balance® and Intelliflora™ are trademarks of DSM.
§ Results demonstrated in clinical studies.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.