Let’s Talk About It: Why We Need to Stop Whispering About Vaginal and Gut Health.
There’s a strange silence that still lingers in the air when it comes to women’s intimate health. Having read the recent research from PrecisionBiotics®, I found myself reflecting on how easily we talk about a bad back, a headache, or even the latest detox trend — yet so many of us struggle to say the word “vagina,” let alone talk openly about our intimate wellbeing.
I’ll be honest — even writing this now, I had to overcome a slight internal cringe. But why? Why do we shy away from conversations that are so fundamentally linked to our health, comfort, and confidence?
The data is loud and clear: 76% of women would rather suffer in silence than talk about vaginal health issues. As someone who has gone through menopause, I know first-hand how hormonal changes can affect not only mood and energy, but also intimate health — often in ways we’re not prepared for. It’s isolating when you feel like your experience is taboo.
Dr Nisa Aslam’s insights helped me understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Our vaginas have their own microbiomes — delicate ecosystems of good bacteria (mostly Lactobacillus) that protect against infections and support reproductive health. When this balance is disrupted — by stress, antibiotics, intimate products, or hormonal shifts — the knock-on effects can be frustrating at best, and serious at worst.
Taking matters into my own hand, I’ve started taking PrecisionBiotics® Daily Women’s Flora. With 5.5 billion live cultures per capsule and added biotin for mucous membrane health, it feels like a simple but powerful way to support my intimate wellbeing. No more whispers — just practical, proactive care.
But here’s where things get really interesting: the connection between our gut and our mind and yes, our vaginal health too — is more profound than I realised.
PrecisionBiotics® also explored the impact of stress on gut health. As a self-confessed over-thinker with a busy lifestyle, I wasn’t surprised to learn that 99% of adults believe stress affects their digestion but I was shocked at how far-reaching the impact can be. Bloating, cramps, fatigue, brain fog — all symptoms I’ve personally chalked up to “just life” could in fact be signs of a stressed-out gut microbiome.
We’re now learning that our gut and brain are in constant conversation via the gut-brain axis — a term I hadn’t heard before but one that suddenly makes so much sense. The gut is even responsible for producing 95% of the body’s serotonin. No wonder poor digestion can drag our mood down.
This is why I now approach my health more holistically — vaginal care isn’t a standalone issue, and neither is digestion. Our bodies are deeply interconnected. That’s why supplements like Alflorex® Dual Action — which support both gut and brain health — are becoming part of my daily routine, alongside simple lifestyle changes like better sleep, mindful meals, and tech-free wind-downs.
It’s time we stop whispering about vaginas, gut health, and everything in between. Because when we speak openly, we empower ourselves and each other to take charge of our wellbeing.
Let’s keep the conversation going — without shame, without embarrassment, and definitely without silence.
Poppy Watt