Ashley James tells us why we should be talking more about our vaginal health
Many women experience vaginal discomfort, changes in intimate health and confusion about what's normal - yet we rarely talk openly about vaginal health. In this article, Ashley James explores why it’s time to normalise conversations about the vaginal microbiome, gut–vagina connection and how understanding our bodies can empower us.
Getting comfortable with our bodies
Do you look after your vaginal health? And more importantly, do you even feel comfortable saying the word out loud?
It’s funny, isn’t it? We can talk about our skin, our hair, our gut, our gym routines… but mention the word “vagina” or “vulva” and suddenly everyone lowers their voice. Many women still call it “down there,” like it’s something we should tiptoe around. But we don’t call our arms “over there.” So why are we embarrassed about the part of our body that plays such an essential role in our health?
From a young age, I was taught that certain parts of our bodies are private not in a boundary-setting way but in a “don’t talk about it, don’t ask questions, don’t make anyone uncomfortable” way. That silence follows us into adulthood. We learn to endure pain quietly, to rationalise discomfort, to apologise for our bodies being “difficult.”
We can be encouraged to push through pain, whether it’s period pain, pelvic pain, postpartum recovery or discomfort we feel but don’t have language for. Many women tell me they sometimes feel unsure whether what they’re experiencing is “normal” or something worth exploring further - especially when intimate health isn’t always talked about openly. That uncertainty can feel isolating.
My personal experience with intimate health
In my twenties I had recurring kidney infections that were severe and as a result I was placed on long-term antibiotics – at that time, the effects of this on overall health weren’t explained so I was unaware of how this can interfere with areas like the gut. At one point I was also offered Botox in my bladder to help, something I didn’t feel confident in, but also didn’t really understand what was happening in my body or feel empowered to question the process.
Years later, when I became a mum, I experienced intimate health problems like prolapse, tearing, incontinence or ongoing pain – all are common, yet they are rarely spoken about openly. When we avoid the conversation, we also avoid the chance to understand what our bodies need.
There is so much pressure on women to “bounce back” that many of us end up hiding the realities of what our bodies go through which can feel isolating. When you’re not given the full picture, you don’t know what’s normal, what needs support or who to ask.
The more we normalise conversations about vaginal and intimate health, the more women will feel able to raise questions, seek support and understand their bodies. And the more open we are, the more empowered we become.
How the gut and vaginal microbiomes are connected
One of the most important things I’ve learned recently is how closely our vaginal health is connected to the rest of our body, especially our gut. The vaginal microbiome is part of our whole-body ecosystem. It is typically dominated by Lactobacillus, a genus of bacteria that help maintain a slightly acidic pH — something many people don’t realise until adulthood.
Our gut and vagina are connected too. They “talk” to each other through the balance of bacteria in our bodies, so if one part is affected by things like stress or lifestyle changes, the other can feel it as well. It makes total sense, yet so many of us were never taught this.
Understanding this made me far more intentional about how I support my intimate health. That’s why I now take Bio-Kult Women’s Intimate Flora. It’s formulated with live bacteria strains developed to support both gut and vaginal balance and includes vitamin B6 to support hormonal activity and vitamin D to support the immune system. For me, it’s not about perfection, but about feeling informed and in tune with how my body works.
Taking Bio-Kult Women’s Intimate Flora has made me feel more aware of my body and more confident supporting my intimate health proactively, rather than only thinking about it when something feels off. And so far, I’ve been really pleased to notice fewer issues with cystitis or UTIs, which as someone who has struggled with them chronically, has felt genuinely liberating.
Because this is the real point: women deserve to feel empowered in their bodies. Talking about vaginal health isn’t oversharing. It’s not inappropriate or something to apologise for. It’s part of self-care. It’s part of feeling good.
If we can talk about our skin, our gut, our mental health, our diets and our gym routines, then we can talk about our vaginas too. And the more openly we talk, the healthier, more informed and confident we become.
I was 36 when I learned the word “vulva,” and 38 when I discovered that our gut and vaginal microbiomes are linked. I only learned this through working with Bio-Kult, and it has completely changed how I look after myself. I take their Women’s Intimate Flora now and often find myself wishing teenage me, or twenty-something me, had known at least a fraction of this.
Key Takeaways
Microbes are constantly exchanged between the gut and vaginal microbiome, and factors such as stress, poor diet, or antibiotics can interfere with the vagina’s natural balance.
Taking care of your intimate health is simply part of looking after yourself, just like skincare, mindfulness, and movement.
Talking openly about vaginal and intimate health is vital, and avoiding conversations around it creates confusion, shame and uncertainty around what’s ‘normal’.
