Vitamins For Vaginal Health
Unlock the secrets to vibrant vaginal health with our in-depth exploration of the best vitamins for optimal well-being. Delve into the essential nutrients that support a balanced and resilient vaginal ecosystem. From vitamin C to probiotics, discover how these key elements can contribute to a healthier and more confident you.
By Liv Surtees / Dec 16 2023
Whether you have a recurring STI, you are struggling with vaginal dryness, or you simply want to make sure your vagina is in the most healthy, happy state it can be, you might want to add vitamins that specifically support vaginal health straight to your cart!
When your vagina’s happier, you’re happier: you’ll reduce the likelihood of getting infections and experiencing pain, you’ll have a better sex life, and you’ll be improving your overall level of wellbeing.
So together, in this article, let’s take a look at the best vitamins for vaginal health, whilst also sharing some extra special tips that you can use to improve the health of your vagina.
why is it so important to support your vaginal health?
Just like any other area of your body, vaginal health is incredibly important and needs to be properly supported! You’ll definitely understand the importance of vaginal health if you’ve ever had a UTI, thrush, or you’ve struggled to naturally “get wet” - it’s frustrating, painful, and can cause low confidence.
If you’re struggling with poor vaginal health, you may even be experiencing fertility issues, low libido, a lower likelihood of orgasm, and your sex life or relationships might even be affected.
So, it’s clear that your vagina is something that you should really care for and look after!
Your vaginal health might need to be supported more at different stages of your life or depending on the specific health it’s currently in. So, make sure you’re always monitoring this type of health and seeking the professional advice and help you need if you feel like you’re experiencing ongoing issues with your vaginal health.
6 vitamins for vaginal health
Didn’t think you needed to add any vagina-friendly vitamins to your supplement routine? Well, think again! These 6 vitamins are the best vitamins for vaginal health out there. So, it might be time to start taking some (or all) of them!
1. vitamin e
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that also has powerful antioxidant properties. In addition to supporting vision, and the health of your skin, brain, and blood, vitamin E is also an important nutrient for the reproductive system.
Research suggests that Vitamin E can help to stabilise estrogen levels and can therefore help to increase lubrication, specifically in those dealing with vaginal atrophy (when the lining of the vagina gets drier and thinner), such as menopausal and post-menopausal women.
However, research shows that the most beneficial effects have been seen by women who suffer from vaginal atrophy have used vitamin E suppositories and oils rather than orally taking vitamin E. Although, since vitamin E is an essential nutrient, there’s no harm in making sure it’s in your supplement regime!
2. vitamin d
Vitamin D is also an essential, fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin D is most well-known for supporting the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus to help build bones and keep them healthy. Additionally, it can also reduce inflammation and help fight infections.
Research shows that vitamin D helps to regulate and improve the growth of vaginal epithelial cells, improves and helps balance the pH of the vagina, and can decrease vaginal dryness, specifically in menopausal women.
Moreover, people who have a vitamin D deficiency or don’t have high enough levels of vitamin D in their body are much more at risk of getting bacterial vaginosis (BV).
3. vitamin c
Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, that helps to support the growth and repair of tissues, whilst also helping the production of collagen, boosting the immune system, and reducing the likelihood of free radical damage.
Vitamin C doesn’t only improve the immune system in the body overall, but it directly increases the growth of Lactobacillus and other friendly bacteria within the vagina and therefore reduces the likelihood of infections. It can also reduce the symptoms of BV and help to balance the pH of the vagina.
4. fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids)
Fish oil, or other types of omega-3 fatty acids if you don’t consume fish, have powerful effects on vaginal health. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients, yet our bodies can’t produce them and therefore we either need to get them through our diet directly or by supplementing with them.
The most commonly known benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are improved brain, eye, and heart health, and reduced inflammation.
However, they also help to reduce vaginal dryness (potentially due to the fact that research indicates they improve estrogen levels), reduce the risk of BV and other infections, and lower the likelihood of experiencing discomfort during and after sex. These benefits are especially obvious in pregnant women.
5. sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is a natural supplement that comes from the sea buckthorn plant. The oil is rich in fatty acids and linoleic acid that help to maintain moisture in the body, strengthening the skin barrier, and protecting it from water loss.
People most commonly use sea buckthorn oil for their skin, especially if they have conditions such as eczema or acne.
However, research also shows that sea buckthorn oil is incredibly beneficial for those who are experiencing vaginal atrophy, since studies show that consuming orally can improve vaginal tissue, elasticity, and dryness.
6. probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that are found in both specific types of fermented types of food such as yoghurt, kimchi, tempe, sauerkraut, etc. However, probiotics can also be taken as supplements.
Probiotics help to restore balance within the gut, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Probiotics are also incredibly beneficial to maintain a healthy microbiome within the vagina - they help to balance the bacteria within the vagina, reducing the likelihood of infections and helping to fight them if they occur. Additionally, they reduce the risk of UTIs and they help to balance the pH of the vagina.
5 extra tips for vaginal health
1. Wear comfortable cotton underwear
Say goodbye to nasty fabrics - you really need to help your vagina out by wearing comfortable cotton underwear that allows it to be well-ventilated. Then, when you get into bed, remove your underwear and let your vagina breathe properly! This is an especially important tip if you’re often wearing tight clothes!
2. Avoid any kind of feminine hygiene products or fragrances
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that supports a balanced pH level and therefore it doesn’t need douching or washing at all with any type of feminine hygiene product. Furthermore, any type of fragrance or perfume shouldn’t be used either! In fact, using these types of products can actually cause infections and alter the pH of your vagina dramatically. So, stay away from them and just wash with water.
3. Always pee after sex
You have to pee every single time you have sex, without delay! Whilst you may want to lay there cuddling your partner(s), as soon as you’re done with having sex, go and pee! Peeing after you have sex is essential as it helps push out any bacteria that may be within the urethra, reducing the likelihood of urinary tract infections. Then, go back to your partner(s) and get that pillow talk in.
4. Use body-safe sex toys and lubricants
Make sure you’re using body-safe sex toys and lube to reduce the likelihood of getting any infections! Stay away from sex toys made from materials like jelly, PVC, and rubber, and instead choose toys made from medical-grade silicone, glass, or stainless steel. When it comes to lube, avoid any that include glycerin, parabens, dyes, and non-natural oils and go for natural, body-friendly types.
5. Get regular STI checks and smear tests
As well as always practising safe sex, make sure that you are getting regular STI check-ups and heading to the gynaecologist for regular cervical smear tests too (these should be done every year, but can be done every three years at a minimum). Additionally, if you are ever worried about your vaginal health or something doesn’t seem right, seek professional medical advice straight away.
takeaways
Happy vagina = happy you. So, make sure you’re taking care of yours, both from the inside with wonderful vagina-friendly vitamins and from the outside by following practices and rules that will support your vaginal health.
And remember, your vaginal health is just as important as any other type of health.
DANDY DEVOTION...
Share