Medical background

The human body consists of more bacteria than cells. New insights show that our bacterial communities are very individual, like a fingerprint. We cannot live without them as they take care of some very important functions such as our digestion and acidification of the skin and vagina. Ideally we live in harmony with our bacteria. The balance in this ecosystem keeps harmful bacteria in control.

In the vagina our useful bacteria are the lactic acid producing lactobacilli that keep most unwanted bacteria and other micro-organisms at bay. Disruption of the balance is often noticed by a change in the discharge. Best known is the coccoid overgrowth also called bacterial vaginosis (B.V.) which is accompanied by the fishy odour that is caused by the amines that are produced by these coccoid bacteria. (Pinkster 1998). External factors for this disruption are hygiene and coitus. On both sides of the cervix the vagina bulges out into a pocket, which is called a fornix. In these fornices, especially the one on the rear (the fornix posterior), secretion of the cervix and shed cell debris may collect. The stasis in this fornix posterior creates an excellent environment for the growth of the anaerobe coccoid flora. After coitus the pH of the vagina increases significantly from acidic to slightly alkaline. (Tevi-Benissan 1997) In this alkaline environment coccoid bacteria – which thrive at an elevated pH- may increase explosively with a growth peak at some 36 hours after the “alkaline shock” of the sperm. This coccoid overgrowth does not develop when post-coital hygiene with douching is applied. (Boon 1996)

A constant reshuffling of the equilibrium takes place in reaction to constant disturbances by hormonal, internal and external factors. Every serious disruption of the balance will be met by the body with corrective actions. The more intensive those repair actions, the more complaints as side effects of these actions. In the vagina the surplus of undesirable bacteria is noticed by pain and itch. Complaints are most often treated. Antibiotics were believed to be the cure-all. However also our useful bacteria are often eradicated. New approaches are explored in the battle against harmful bacteria, to curb their overgrowth and to re-balance the natural flora. A non-invasive and effective method is simply to prevent these from “sticking” to our tissues, by interfering with the attachment mechanism of the bacteria itself. This innovative, patented approach, is the basis of the Multi-Gyn product line.