Women's health has come a long way in recent years. We're talking more openly about perimenopause, hormones and fertility, yet there is one area that remains surprisingly under-discussed that affects millions of women every single day and sits at the intersection of intimate health, the microbiome, fertility and long-term wellbeing. The vaginal microbiome.
In this episode of The Health Review I sit down with Eleanor Gardner — physiotherapist, founder of Pelvic Relief and one of the UK's leading voices in women's intimate health. Eleanor founded Pelvic Relief in 2014 after recognising a significant gap in accessible, evidence-based solutions for women's pelvic and intimate health conditions. She has since acquired VJJ Health and its vaginal probiotics and launched an advanced vaginal microbiome test in partnership with Bio-Me — measuring over 50 key vaginal microbes and giving women the kind of insight into their intimate health that most GP appointments simply don't provide.
I also share my own experience of taking Eleanor's vaginal microbiome test — and the silent UTI it uncovered that explained months of unexplained fatigue I couldn't put my finger on.
We cover:
What the vaginal microbiome actually is — and why it's completely different from the gut microbiome
Why Lactobacillus dominance matters — and what happens when those protective bacteria decline
The vaginal and bladder microbiome connection — why women with recurrent UTIs often have a reservoir of uropathogens in the vaginal space that keep reinfecting them
Why the bladder is not sterile — and what that means for how we treat and prevent UTIs
The link between the vaginal microbiome and fertility — shorter time to conceive, reduced miscarriage risk and better IVF outcomes
What a vaginal microbiome test actually involves, what it shows and how to use the results
How the menopause devastates the vaginal microbiome — and why genitourinary syndrome of menopause is progressive unlike other menopausal symptoms
Why local oestrogen is one of the most underused and underappreciated tools in women's intimate health
The products that genuinely help — oral vaginal probiotics, D-mannose, pH-matched lubricants — and what the evidence actually says
What to stop using immediately — douching, harsh soaps, anything that promises freshness
Partner testing for BV — why male partners can be asymptomatic carriers and what that means for recurrence
Practical lifestyle factors most women have never been told — underwear, thongs, bathing suits, going to the toilet after intercourse
Your questions answered — on probiotics versus antibiotics, how the bladder and vaginal microbiome are linked and what to do if probiotics upset your stomach
Where vaginal microbiome testing is headed in the next five years — and Eleanor's hope that it becomes embedded in routine clinical care
This episode is for you if:
You've been struggling with recurrent UTIs, BV or thrush and keep getting the same prescription without getting to the root cause. You're on a fertility journey and want to understand every piece of the puzzle. You're perimenopausal or menopausal and noticing changes in your intimate health. Or you just want to understand why the vaginal microbiome matters so much for your overall wellbeing.
Find the company at pelvicrelief.co.uk and @pelvicrelief on Instagram.
This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your own clinician before making changes to your health.
Today's episode is supported by Totally Derma, the evidence-based collagen drink supplement recommended by dermatologists and cosmetic clinics across the UK. As mentioned in the episode, The Health Review listeners get 15% off their first subscription with code HEALTHREVIEW15 at checkout: https://totallyderma.com/?ref=115
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