Innovative probiotic PROVAG - food supplement
Risk factors and groups
Vaginal ecosystem undergoes constant changes of structure and composition. Factors predisposing for such changes include:
age
- phase of menstrual cycle
- infectious and chronic diseases
- antibiotic treatment
- hygienic practice
- sexual behaviour
- pregnancy
- contraception
- dietary mistakes (excess of refined sugars)
- immune disturbances
- pathologies of female genital organs
Some of these factors are described below.
AGE. In the case of women in perimenopausal and postmenopausal age, atrophy of vagina occurs due to a decrease of estrogen level. It is accompanied by a decrease of amount of vaginal discharge and increase of its pH and also by an increase of susceptibility to injures of vaginal epithelium. All these peri- and postmenopausal mechanisms may lead to an increase of infections in this age group of women.
PHASE OF MENSTRUATION CYCLE. Natural environment of the vagina undergoes constant changes during physiologic menstrual cycle. It becomes the least moistened and more prone to external factors just before menstrual bleeding, with slight change of pH toward basic pH due to a decrease of bacteria population of natural flora and an influence of hormonal factors. Pre-menstrual period is a time of the greatest risk of vaginal infection for a woman. On the other hand, menstrual blood rinses Lactobacillus strains, which also predisposes for infection. pH of blood is basic, which is beneficial for development of microorganisms.
ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT. Antibiotics play a significant role in disturbances of vaginal microflora, especially those of wide spectrum of action which destroy commensal bacteria. It explains easier the invasion and infection by pathogenic microorganisms, which inhabit vaginal epithelium earlier colonized by commensal bacteria.
HYGENIC PRACTICE. Poor hygiene may lead to disturbances of microbiological balance of the vagina. During miction and defecation, nutritional substances are provided for bacteria and yeasts colonizing genital organs, which are beneficial for their survival. Physicians should inform patients how they should wipe. Because, very often due to lack of knowledge, women passively transfer bacteria and anascogenic yeasts from the anus to perineum. It is caused not only by poor hygiene per se but also it is an anatomical feature. Other factors of negative influence on vaginal microflora include vaginal irrigations. They disturb environmental balance, change pH, irritate mucosa, and also may cause inflammation of vaginal mucosa and rinse physiologic flora. Such behaviours together with the use of various agents for intimate hygiene predispose more for development of bacterial vaginosis.
SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR. Due to different sexual behaviours of women, bacteria may change by number and type even within several dozens of minutes. Semen is basic, which is beneficial for development of microorganisms.
IMMUNE DISTURBANCES. Special attention should be paid to diabetic patients. In these women, an increase of sugars content occurs in vaginal discharge, which constitutes additional factor predisposing to an increase of yeasts of Candida genus. In diabetes, angiopathies also occur which cause a decrease in a blood flow. As a result, it leads to a decrease of moistening of vaginal mucosa. Therefore they increase the risk of injuries and at the same time, infections of the vagina. Also disturbances of immunity and immunosuppresion or hormonal therapy may predispose for more frequent infections of the lower urogenital tract.
