**If you want to know more about what the vaginal microbiome is then check out our other blogs here.

Why should I care about my vaginal microbiome?

Every woman has a unique vaginal microbiome, with a different range and ratio of bacteria present.

Lactobacillus is the most common type of bacteria, but there are different varieties of this present, which all mean different things. Differences in protection are primarily due to the varying amounts of lactic acid produced by each type — with Lactobacillus crispatus being the most protective by producing the most. This lactic acid production makes the vagina an acidic environment that stops pathogens from invading.

If you want to find out which type you are, and what this means for your current & future health — go look at some of our kits here!

Can my state type change?

YES. — so do not worry if you are unhappy with your results.

Some of the reasons include:

• Medication
• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Smoking
• Who you have sex with
• What products you use
• Natural change during your life — e.g. when entering the menopause

This is also why we recommend to get a microbiome check-up once a year or so. 

The different state types:

There are 5 main vaginal microbiome community state types.

TYPE 1 

What is this? — Lactobacillus crispatus dominates

What does this mean?

• Usually protective
• Seen as the healthiest
  • particularly when it represents 80% – 90% of the bacterial community that is present.
• The best for; fertility chances, preventing UTIs & STDs & miscarriage & more.

TYPE 2 

What is this? — Lactobacillus gasseri dominates

What does this mean?

• Usually protective
• Slightly less protective than TYPE 1, as it produces slightly less lactic acid.
• Many peri-menopausal women have this community state type.

TYPE 3 

What is this? — Lactobacillus iners dominates

What does this mean?

• Neutral — could be protective or disruptive
• This bacteria is able to co-exist in the vagina with either healthy or disruptive bacteria
• Your vaginal microbiome is unstable
  • This means your vaginal microbiome can move quickly between being healthy or unhealthy.
  • Is associated with vaginal dysbiosis

TYPE 4 

What is this? — no Lactobacillus dominates

What does this mean?

• Usually disruptive
• There is a high diversity of other bacteria present
• This vaginal microbiome state means you are more likely to be at risk from UTIs, STDs, miscarriage, PID & other vaginal issues.
  • This is not always the case — sometimes the other bacteria present are protective.
  • This is not a reason to panic — there are measures you can take to reduce your chances of infection, and move towards other microbiome community state types.
• Post-menopausal women are most at risk of this community state type
  • Due to their oestrogen levels falling, which causes Lactobacillus levels to fall.

TYPE 5 

What is this? — Lactobacillus jensenii dominates

What does this mean?

• Usually protective
• This is quite a rare community state type.
• This is a protective bacteria type, being great for – fertility chances, preventing UTIs & STDs & miscarriage & more.

How ScreenMe helps you with your vaginal health  

Knowing the protective impact of the vaginal microbiome against infections and fertility complications make it really important for women to have an annual check of the vaginal health. It’s also useful to take note of any changes in sensations, odours, and recurrent infections. All these factors are red flags that you may have a microbial imbalance in the vagina.

If you want to get an insight into your vaginal health and microbiome, consider a ScreenMe Vaginal health test, which comes with:

• At at-home kit, so you can take your test from the privacy of your own home.
• All vaginal samples are analysed with 16s rRNA sequence technology.
• A report from PhD scientists
• Tailored nutrition from our nutritionists.
• A FREE consultation with our experts — to break down your results & guide you on the next appropriate steps.
• Lifestyle and supplement recommendations to get control of your sexual and reproductive health.

ScreenMe follows the general vaginal community state types (CSTs) as recommended by leading gynaecologists and specialists of the vaginal microbiome. Using these insights we provide you and your physicians and fertility experts can make educated decisions about your health and future fertility.

Take control of your vagina today. Find out if you have the right amount of Lactobacilli in your vagina, what community state type you have, what the cause of your vaginal symptoms are, and what you can do improve your vaginal health.

Jessica Hobbis