The importance of nurturing intimate health
Talking about a woman’s body may be considered taboo in some cultures, often leaving many to feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their intimate health needs openly.

This makes it difficult for women to get adequate information, hindering them from effectively caring for their intimate well-being.

Yet, it is time to break the silence to foster a new environment to empower women to understand the importance of intimate health.

Female intimate health, often referred to as the vaginal flora, is home to many different species of bacteria present in the vagina and is responsible for maintaining the delicate balance essential for a healthy intimate area.

The vaginal flora is largely dominated by a bacteria known as “lactobacilli” which maintain the vagina flora at its natural pH levels and act as a natural defence mechanism in protecting against potential infections and discomfort, by preventing colonisation of unwanted bacteria (such as pathogens) that disrupts the balance1.

Factors that disrupt the vagina flora

A variety of factors can disrupt and change the vaginal pH level.

These factors include:

> Alkaline bodily secretions (eg. menstrual blood or semen from sexual intercourse)

> Fluctuating hormone levels during pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, or when consuming “hormones”

> Medications (such as antibiotics, which causes a reduced number of good bacteria)

> Excessive washing of the intimate area with harsh soaps

> Vaginal douching (washing the internal parts of the intimate area with water or washes)

In these cases, the vaginal pH level can rise above 4.5, disrupting the naturally acidic environment, while encouraging the growth of unwanted bacteria and germs in the vaginal flora.

An acidic pH level of 4.5 and below indicates a healthy vagina flora, while a pH of 8 and above indicates an imbalanced and alkaline environment, which may lead to disruptions in the vaginal flora’s equilibrium.

With the natural protective function of the vaginal flora impaired, it makes it easier for pathogens to enter the vagina and potentially cause infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).

For example, semen residues from sexual intercourse can cause favourable conditions for such circumstances.

As a result, bacteria and germs can overgrow and outweigh the natural lactobacilli in the vaginal flora, which can lead to an increased possibility of infections.

BV is one of the most common vaginal infections, affecting approximately 1 out of 3 women across different life stages2.

Characterised by bacterial overgrowth due to pH imbalance in the vaginal flora, BV causes symptoms like abnormal discharge, itching, burning during urination and an unpleasant “fishy” odour in the intimate area.

Most bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, however as mentioned earlier, consuming antibiotics may affect the good bacteria in the vagina.

A Frontiers study discovered that common treatments, including antibiotics, often offer only short-term relief, with recurrence rates of 50-80% within a year post-treatment3.

In these cases, a supplemental treatment with lactic acid is recommended to support the growth of the typical "good" lactobacilli.

Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Lactic Acid can aid in restoring vaginal pH balance.

Fast acidification and microbial support

To combat the challenges posed by recurrent vaginal infections, products like Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Lactic Acid come to the forefront.

Formulated for ease of use, each pessary contains 190mg of lactic acid and sodium lactate that may help restore and maintain the vagina’s natural pH levels.

After insertion, it acidifies the vaginal environment to support the growth of beneficial lactobacilli bacteria ideal for the vagina, which are essential components of vaginal flora.

It also simultaneously inhibits the reproduction and growth of harmful pathogens by creating an unideal environment for these unwanted bacteria. It can also be used as a preventive treatment for women who are prone to vaginal infections.

For optimal use, insert one pessary deeply into the vagina before bedtime for greater assurance. To ease insertion, moisten the pessary under running water beforehand.

Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Lactic Acid is free from hormones, colouring agents, fragrances, preservatives and does not contain any paraffin, mineral oils and other fats. It is shaped for easy insertion and convenience.

For optimal use, insert one pessary (as shown above) deeply into the vagina before bedtime for greater assurance. To ease insertion, moisten the pessary under running water beforehand.

As these pessaries dissolve quickly, it's advisable to wear a panty liner to manage any increased discharge.

Typically, the treatment lasts five to seven days, but for long-term maintenance, Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Lactic Acid can be used two to three times a week, using only one pessary in the evening.

Prioritising intimate health is crucial for every woman’s overall well-being and quality of life. By recognising the factors that disrupt maintaining a healthy vaginal flora, women can take the proper steps to nurture their intimate wellness.

Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Lactic Acid is readily available on Shopee and Lazada, Caring Pharmacy and other independent pharmacies.

For more information, visit the website.

Medical Device Authority Malaysia approval number: MDAMD 0228/2023

Medical Device Registration Number: GB17407343117

References

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7789027

2 https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/6/719

3 Frontiers | Bacterial vaginosis: a review of approaches to treatment and prevention (frontiersin.org)
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Talking about a woman’s body may be considered taboo in some cultures, often leaving many to feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their intimate health needs openly.