A New Terrain In Women's Health

There’s a quiet shift happening in women’s health. Not just in our bodies — though those changes are real and often undeniable — but in the way we’re beginning to understand and explore the deeper layers of our physiology.

Midlife brings new terrain, literally. The vaginal microbiome is getting the attention it deserves is — a vital part of our internal ecosystem that we have not been educated on, let alone support.

Exploring New Pathways in Women's Health: Embracing Growth and Wellness.

I'm excited that we’re finally at a place in women’s health where we can start having these conversations openly — and back them up with science. I'd like to share some things with you in case you aren't aware yet.

The vaginal microbiome, much like your gut, is made up of a community of bacteria that work together to maintain balance and protect your health. When this ecosystem is thriving, it’s dominated by certain beneficial strains — especially Lactobacillus species. These friendly bacteria help maintain a slightly acidic vaginal pH, typically around 3.8 to 4.5, which is ideal for keeping harmful microbes in check. This acidic environment, regulated in part by estrogen and the presence of lactobacilli, acts like a natural security system, discouraging the overgrowth of yeast, bacterial vaginosis organisms, and even pathogens linked to urinary tract infections.

But as estrogen begins to decline — which can start years before your periods stop — the entire balance can shift. Lactobacillus species often drop off. The vaginal pH begins to rise, becoming less acidic and more hospitable to organisms that don’t belong there. And that’s when symptoms can show up. Some women experience itching or dryness that feels constant. Others notice recurring infections or feel less sensation and connection during intimacy. And then there’s the bladder — more urgency, more UTIs, and that frustrating feeling of never quite emptying.

For many of the women I work with, these changes can feel confusing or even alarming. You might go to your doctor and be told everything looks normal — or be offered antibiotics or estrogen cream without a clear explanation of what’s really happening. But the truth is, when the vaginal microbiome shifts, it feels different. And you know your body. You know when something’s off.

What’s exciting is that we no longer have to guess. New technology has made it possible to test the vaginal microbiome — much like we’ve been doing with gut testing for years — using an easy, non-invasive at-home sample. We now have ways to measure which bacteria are present, which ones are missing, how much inflammation is present, and whether the overall environment is supportive of healthy estrogen activity. We can even identify whether key strains of lactobacilli like Lactobacillus crispatus are thriving — or if more opportunistic or inflammatory species are taking their place.

This is a profound shift in how we understand and support midlife women. Instead of offering a blanket solution for everyone, we can now get specific. We can look at what your unique body needs, and design a plan to help restore balance, resilience, and even pleasure.

In my practice at Health Thymes, I’ve started offering this type of vaginal microbiome testing because it fills in a major missing piece of the puzzle for so many of my clients. If you’ve been doing all the right things — eating well, supporting your hormones, addressing gut health — and yet you still feel uncomfortable, disconnected, or frustrated with your vaginal or urinary symptoms, this test may help explain why.

And here’s the part I love most: when we bring this awareness into our health journey, especially the parts we’ve been taught to ignore or feel ashamed to talk about we gain a sense of comfort and confidence in this new chapter of life, not just coping with changes but understanding them and moving forward with clarity and support.

So if you’re noticing shifts — maybe subtle, maybe disruptive — and you’re tired of guessing or being dismissed, I invite you to explore this new tool with me.

Thankfully, the vaginal microbiome is a new conversation in functional medicine, and I'm sure will be able to help countless women.

If you’re curious whether vaginal microbiome testing could be right for you, let’s talk. I offer a free 20-minute Roadmap to Relief call where we can chat about what’s going on, what your body is telling you, and whether this might be the next right step in your health journey.