Overview
Vaginal health is extremely important for the overall health of women. Keeping your vagina healthy should be a priority. Unfortunately, the vaginal canal is subject to a number of health issues including dehydration, infections, and physical irritation. As a result, you may experience discomfort, pain, and uncomfortable discharge.
For these reasons you need to prioritize eating right and take the necessary supplements to keep your vagina in optimal health. Luckily, there are excellent vitamins and supplements that can greatly improve the health of your vagina.
In this article, we will list the best dietary supplements you can take to improve your vaginal health.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a very potent antioxidant that protects the vagina from free radicals. Another benefit of this vitamin is keeping the vagina well-lubricated. According to several studies, vitamin E can reduce the risk of vaginal infections. Researchers believe that vitamin E’s ability to boost vaginal secretions prevents bacterial and fungal overgrowth. Common sources of vitamin E include nuts and seeds, olive oil, and avocado.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another essential vitamin for the vagina. By regulating certain metabolic pathways, vitamin D keeps the vagina healthy and prevents infections. According to a study, vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of bacterial vaginosis. You can find vitamin D in eggs, fish, and dairy products. Exposure to sun also promotes the production of Vitamin D.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C maintains a healthy acidic environment in the vagina and regulates immune function. Collectively, these two effects prevent vaginal infections. You can find vitamin C in supplements or natural sources, such as strawberries, kale, and citrus fruits.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea buckthorn oil is very rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fatty acids. This unique combination makes this oil ideal for vaginal health. Sea buckthorn oil comes in topical, oral, and suppository forms. The choice is up to you.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These molecules are essential, which means that body cannot produce them internally. The top health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids include the dampening of inflammation and the promotion of cardiovascular health. Researchers have found fish oil prevents vaginal dryness and dyspareunia (i.e. discomfort during sex). There is also some evidence that suggests omega-3 fatty acids’ ability to prevent bacterial and yeast infections.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that we can find in supplement form or fermented foods. These products offer an array of health benefits. For instance, they maintain the balance in your vaginal flora to prevent bad bacteria from taking over the good bacteria. Additionally, probiotics lower the risk of bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections. Naturally, probiotics are found in yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso soup. You can also purchase vaginal probiotics as a dietary supplement.
How Can Vitamin Deficiency Impact Your Health?
Vitamin deficiencies may cause a variety of problems for your health. For instance, vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness. On the other hand, vitamin C and D deficiencies lead to scurvy and rickets, respectively.
- Without vitamins, your immune system will not function properly. Consequently, you become suspectable to an array of vaginal infections. The ability to repair tissue damage also gets compromised by nutritional deficiencies.
- Vitamin A maintains the health of the mucosal membranes inside the vagina. It also possesses powerful antimicrobial properties that lower the risk of infections.
- Vitamin C boosts the immune system and supplies the cells with the necessary proteins to eradicate foreign bodies. You can find this vitamin in kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, and strawberries.
- Vitamin E protects your cells from oxidative stress. This vitamin is also indispensable for your skin and mucosa.
Make sure to eat foods that are good for vaginal health. Have a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and antioxidants. If you feel like you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals through your diet, you can also purchase a dietary supplement.
How To Choose Vitamin Supplements
Vitamins and minerals are indispensable for human physiology. They can affect every physiological process, including immune function, energy production, and cell growth. It’s best to get these elements from our diet; however, the modern diet rarely meets our demands for vitamins and minerals. This is where dietary supplements come in handy.
1. Set Your Health Goals
What do you expect from taking this vitamin? What is the reason you are buying it?
Once you set your goals and needs, you can make a smart choice when purchasing a dietary supplement.
2. Check the Brand
The market has numerous brands that offer different formulas of vitamins and supplements. Be careful when buying these formulas since they may contain some unnecessary ingredients. Read the label and choose the vitamin that you need with the recommended dosage.
3. Consult with Your Primary Care Physician
Before you buy any supplement, speak with your primary care physician or nutritionist. This becomes more important if you are taking any other pharmacological drugs since the risk of interactions increases.
4. Start Gradually
Avoid buying a bunch of supplements and taking them all at once. You will risk drug interactions and the potency of the vitamins will sharply drop. Ideally, you will start with one supplement for a few weeks and see how your body responds. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
5. Choose a Reputable Brand
The internet is loaded with brands that claim their products are effective. In reality, most of these supplements are useless at best. Therefore, stick to reputable brands that have a money-back guarantee policy. You should also read the review of other customers. Physcian backed brands such as HPD Rx can assure you are getting the best quality.
6. Take Your Budget into Consideration
As a general rule of thumb, you get what you pay for when it comes to vitamins and supplements. Typically, more expensive brands are more effective. However, that’s not always the case. Be sure to take your time while considering your budget to find the best deal for you.
7. Be Careful About Storing Your Supplements
Store the vitamin supplements properly. Avoid hot and humid places. You will find clear instructions on how to store your product on the label. Remember that good storing measures will extend the shelf-life of your product and keep it effective.
8. Check Expiration Dates
Checking the expiration date is important to avoid buying ineffective products. Supplements will lose a significant portion of their potency when they hit their expiration date.
9. Stop Taking the Supplement if You Develop Side Effects
If you are currently taking a supplement and it starts causing some serious side effects, discontinue it immediately. We are not talking about mild diarrhea here. Think of severe headaches, dizziness, heart problems, and extreme abdominal cramping.
10. Read the Label Carefully
Before you purchase supplements, be sure to read the label carefully. Identify the ingredients, doses, and side effects of the products.
