Vaginal ecosystems

A defence system that comes from inside

Our body has its own natural defence systems. Preserving them means avoiding minor disturbances that would otherwise cause more series disorders. Let’s take a closer look. Women have a natural defence mechanism that acts against the proliferation of pathogens and is regulated by the production of oestrogen hormones that differs during childhood, child-bearing age and menopause.

The most important defence is provided by the level of acidity in private parts that protects them against external infections and maintains the healthiness and elasticity of the mucous membranes. In these conditions, in fact, the pathogenic germs which cause vaginal infections cannot live or proliferate.
In particular, the vaginal acidity is mainly guaranteed by a population of "friendly" bacteria normally present in the vagina called Döderlein Lactobacillus, which determine a constant acidification of the vaginal environment. They produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide which contribute to maintaining the vaginal pH low (at about 4) .

The level of acidity is in fact expressed as a pH level (from the Latin words pondus hydrogenii, i.e. potential hydrogen): acid up to 7, neutral at 7, basic or alkaline for levels above 7.
As the production of oestrogens changes, so does the pH level. This means that a woman has an acidity level in the vaginal environment that changes according to the different stages in her life.

In pre-puberty and menopause age the vaginal pH is neutral, the autonomous defence mechanism of the vagina is not effective and there is a high risk of infections; as there is no synthesis of the oestrogens and the vaginal mucous, this can create dryness due to lack of hydration. During menopause, this can cause a thinning of the tissues, less elasticity and a consequent tendency to be susceptible to irritation and infections.
It is therefore necessary to choose a cleanser with a hydrating action combined with a gel or cream to moisten the mucous.

In the child-bearing age, thanks to production of oestrogens, the vaginal pH is acid.
The vagina is therefore equipped with its own natural defence mechanism which, nevertheless, can be subject to imbalances.
It is therefore vital to protect such defence mechanisms with scrupulous intimate hygiene.

During pregnancy particular intimate hygiene cleansers are required to deal with the excess production of mucous. They prevent these secretions from encouraging the onset of pathogen germs; it is recommended to cleanse the area with re-acidifying and softening products.

Intimate hygiene is therefore important for both men and women to prevent stagnation of secretions that could easily cause an alkaline environment and irritation of the genital mucous. Alteration of the physiological pH does in fact lead to disorders such as bacterial vaginosis which can cause minor or more serious damage if left untreated.