Vaginitis & Yeast Infections

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common infections affecting women of child-bearing age and has been shown to affect as many as 1 in 3 women. It is usually cited as the most common cause of genital discomfort in women of reproductive age.

The treatment of BV is based on using recommended antibiotics in the hands of experienced doctor. However, it is also associated with failure and high rates of recurrence.

There is evidence to show that the loss of vaginal lactobacilli is a major component in a conducive environment and development of bacterial vaginosis.  Beneficial lactobacilli strains live in the vagina and keep the pH at around 4.2(slightly acidic). There are a host of factors that raise the vaginal pH (more alkaline), leading to an overgrowth of bacteria associated with BV (bacterial vaginosis). On the other hand, certain factors lower the vaginal pH (more acidic) leading to an overgrowth of fungal organisms, particularly Candida albicans that cause yeast infections.

There are a number of factors that are known to affect the vaginal pH. Among them:

  1. Use of antibiotics
  2. Spermicidal Contraceptives u0026amp; IUD (Intra uterine device)
  3. Tampon use
  4. Diabetes, Obesity, etc
  5. Conditions that compromise the immune system
  6. Oral steroid medications
  7. Pregnancy and Menopause
  8. Birth control pills
  9. Sexual intercourse
  10. Menstruation

In the vagina, just like in the gut, probiotics have been shown to exert beneficial effects in a number of ways.

There is ample research to certain strains of lactobacillus inhibit Gardnerella vaginalis from adhering to vaginal epithelium and causing vaginitis[1].

An imbalance between beneficial flora and pH levels are conducive for the growth of yeast (candida) and subsequent infection.

Urinary Health

There is clear association between Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis (vaginitis) with deficiency in probiotic gut flora (good bacteria).[2]

The use of antibiotics to treat moderate and recurrent UTIs is becoming controversial and problematic due to its association with resistance and depletion of normal flora. There is no doubt that they provide short-term benefit, but the long-term benefits remain contentious.

Cranberry extract contains proanthocyanidins (PACs), which interfere with bad bacteria’s ability to attach on the bladder wall, reducing the likelihood of urinary tract infection. A recent study showed that cranberry extract lowered the risk of UTIs by 50%; In the cranberry treatment group, 19% of patients developed a UTI, compared to 38% in the placebo group.

Formulation

Femina™ is a Synbiotic (probiotic u0026amp; prebiotic) and nutrient enriched meal supplement formulated with high dose micro-encapsulated probiotics to support female gut u0026amp; urogenital health.

It is high in protein (27g per serving), low in energy (<1g Carbs per serving) and high in fibre (4g per serving) making it ideal for women leading an active lifestyle. However, what makes the real difference in Femina™ is the multiple strain probiotics (10 strains) delivering over 10 billion CFU per serving.

Why Femina™?

  • Velobiotics™ Technology – A globally patented technology that helps protect good bacteria (Probiotics) through a process known as microencapsulation. This helps prolong the shelf life of probiotics and shields them from destruction by gastric acid; thus, permitting good bacteria to reach your gut where they are most useful.
    • Velobiotics™ enables the delivery of over 1000x more probiotics to the gut than non-microencapsulated probiotics, because Wellness is a gut feeling.
  • Femina™ provides 10 Probiotics Strains, at 10 Billion CFU per serving of microencapsulated probiotics per serving. When ingested on a regular basis, probiotics should improve or normalize the microbial balance in the human intestines and thereby improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
  • Contains Prebiotics (Inulin) – Prebiotics such as inulin beneficially affects the intestinal flora by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial gut flora. An average of 6g prebiotics is needed daily for general digestive health.
  • High in Protein to help build and repair body tissues and contribute to maintenance of muscle mass.

Femina™ contains 500mg per serving of Cranberry Extract to support urinary health.

 

[1] Joana Castro, Ana Henriques, Antonio Machado, et al. Reciprocal Interference between Lactobacillus spp. and Gardnerella vaginalis on Initial Adherence to Epithelial Cells. Int J Med Sci. 2013; 10(9): 1193-1198.

[2] Nikhil Kumar, Beauty Behera, Sai S. Sagiri, et al. Bacterial vaginosis: Etiology and modalities of treatment–A brief note. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 496-503. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.90102.