May-I-introduce-you-to-someone-phenomenal

May I introduce you to someone phenomenal?

 “Who is she?”, you may ask. Well, she is your vagina, and she is phenomenal! But before I can tell you why that is, I have to let you get to know her a little.

Your vagina is an elastic, muscular tube which connects your external genitalia (the vulva) to your womb (the uterus). 1 The vagina is lined with a mucous membrane, kept moist by fluids produced by cells on its surface and by secretions from glands in the cervix (the lower part of the uterus). A small amount of these fluids may pass to the outside as a clear or milky white vaginal discharge, which is normal. 1

Just like any woman worth her salt, she can be a source of great pleasure, or great distress, depending on how she is treated. Make no mistake, she will let you know when something is wrong.

So what makes her so phenomenal?

First of all, she is instrumental in creating a new life. Do you realise that sperm travels up your vagina to your womb, and then a baby uses the very same birth canal to be born? 1 Pretty amazing. Your vagina also has its very own colony of good bacteria called Lactobacilli, to help maintain a delicate balance inside the vagina. These bacteria produce lactic acid to maintain a slightly acidic environment inside the vagina. This ensures a healthy vaginal lining and protects the vagina against infections. Many harmful organisms do not grow so well in an acidic environment. When the balance is disturbed (there are too few Lactobacilli, or the pH of the vagina becomes too alkaline) harmful bacteria may grow and cause infection. 2,3

A bit about pH levels:

Acidity or alkalinity is measured by pH. The lower the pH, the more acidic a substance is. Most parts of your body have a pH of around 7, which is neutral. The Lactobacilli in your vagina keep the vaginal pH at around 4, which is the same acidity as tomato juice. Soapy water on the other hand has a pH of around 12, which is alkaline. 4 Excessive washing and douching, medicated or perfumed soaps, bubble bath or shower gel, or hormonal changes during menstruation may all disturb the natural balance of your vagina. 5,6,7

For further information about vaginal pH or vaginal health, please speak to your healthcare professional.

Name and business address of applicant: iNova Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Limited. Co. Reg. No. 1952/001640/07, 15e Riley Road, Bedfordview. Tel. No. 011 087 0000. www.inovapharma.co.za. For further information, speak to your healthcare professional. IN number: IN2696/18

References:

  1. Knudtson J, McLaughlin JE. Female Internal Genital Organs. Merck Manual Consumer Version [online] [cited 22 March 2018]; Available from URL: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/female-internal-genital-organs
  2. Soper DE. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). Merck Manual Consumer Version [online] [cited 22 March 2018]; Available from URL: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/vaginal-infections-and-pelvic-inflammatory-disease/bacterial-vaginosis-bv
  3. Smith SB, Ravel J. The vaginal microbiota, host defence and reproductive physiology. J Physiol 2017;2:451–463
  4. Lumen Biology for Non-Majors I. Module 2 Chemistry of Life. The pH scale [online] [cited 22 March 2018]; Available from URL: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-nmbiology1/chapter/the-ph-scale/
  5. Livengood C. Bacterial Vaginosis: An overview for 2009. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology 2009; 2(1):28-37.
  6. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV – BASHH. UK National Guideline for the management of Bacterial Vaginosis 2012. https://www.bashhguidelines.org/media/1041/bv-2012.pdf. Accessed February 2018
  7. Thrush and Bacterial vaginosis. Looking after your sexual health [online] [cited 22 March 2018]; Available from URL: http://www.sexualhealthsheffield.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/thrush-bacterial-vaginosis-information-and-advice.pdf