The foundation of the vaginal flora is made up of good bacteria, especially Lactobacillus species. These bacteria keep the vagina acidic, which helps prevent the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms. In other words, the vagina is not a sterile area; it is an ecosystem filled with the right bacteria.
The most important role of good bacteria is maintaining pH balance. When vaginal pH rises (when the acidic environment is disrupted), the risk of infection increases rapidly. Lactobacillus bacteria maintain this balance by producing lactic acid.
These bacteria also form a protective layer along the vaginal walls, making it harder for harmful microbes to attach. They act as a kind of biological shield. For this reason, a decrease in good bacteria opens the door to vaginal infections.
Antibiotic use, excessive cleansing, and hormonal changes can reduce the number of good bacteria. Antibiotics, in particular, destroy not only harmful bacteria but also protective ones.
To protect good bacteria, it is important to avoid vaginal douching, stop unnecessary product use, and avoid interfering with the body’s natural balance. Vaginal flora is not something that needs to be “boosted,” but rather a balance that should not be disrupted.
