Your vagina has its own invisible shield of protection heres how to take care of it

Think of it as a tiny, protective shield for your lady parts.Most women have never heard of their “vaginal biofilm,” but it’s an important part of their health, influencing symptoms like vaginal odor, discharge or recurring infections.“[It’s] a thin, sticky layer of bacteria that can attach to the vaginal lining and protect itself by producing a kind of shield,” OB-GYN Dr.Kate McLean told The Post.

“Think of it like a microscopic community of bacteria living under a protective coating,” she added, noting that you can’t see or feel it yourself, but you definitely feel its impact.When bad bacteria form microfilms, it can cause difficult-to-treat bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.When beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli make them, it blocks bad bacteria from taking hold.“Not all biofilms are harmful, but some can become problematic,” said McLean, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and Chief Medical Officer at Evvy.

“The biofilm can make it harder for the body, or even medications, to fully clear that negative bacteria in your body.This is one reason some people experience recurring vaginal symptoms even after treatment.”Here’s what to know about maintaining the delicate balance and protecting your vagina.Biofilms are “a normal part of life,” McLean says.

They’re everywhere, from dental plaque on your teeth to deep in the gut to on top of the skin.Society is cleaner than it’s ever been, which can make it tempting to see bacteria as an enemy.But there is such a thing as being too clean.

Many doctors urge women not to douche for this reason: While trying to be clean or eliminate odor, douching actually kills good bacteria in the vagina.“One of the biggest misconceptions is that vaginas should be completely odorless or that any discharge is a sign that something is wrong,” McLean said.“In reality, healthy vaginas have a natural scent, and discharge is often a normal and important part of vaginal function...