In a video published on July 27, 2026, Dr Olivier Marpeau aka @mon.gyneco returns to a subject that is still too often taboo: recurrent vaginal infections. Why do they come back? What are the factors that weaken the intimate flora? And above all, what actions really allow us to preserve it on a daily basis?
When infections return, discouragement sets in
Many women know this feeling: a treatment seems to work, the symptoms disappear… then a few weeks later, the burning, itching or unusual discharge returns.
This spiral is summed up in the first seconds of the Mon.Gyneco video: “Honey, I have my friend Léa, she has a series of vaginal infections and the treatments that go with them. She can’t take it anymore, what can she do?”
Behind this very common situation lies a mechanism that is often poorly understood. The vagina is not a sterile environment. On the contrary, it is home to a multitude of micro-organisms which live in balance and naturally protect the intimate area.
At the heart of this ecosystem are lactobacilli, also called Döderlein bacilli. These beneficial bacteria help maintain an acidic environment, unfavorable to the development of germs responsible for mycosis or vaginosis.
When this balance is disrupted, the flora becomes more vulnerable and infections can recur.
A fragile intimate flora… influenced by many everyday factors
Contrary to popular belief, a recurrent vaginal infection is not necessarily linked to a lack of hygiene.
The vaginal flora is particularly sensitive to variations in our body and our lifestyle.
As Mon.Gyneco explains, “It is a fragile environment that can be disrupted by many different factors.“.
Antibiotics are among the most common causes because they can kill good bacteria along with those causing an infection. But they are not the only ones.
Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy or menopause, heavy periods, chronic stress, smoking or even certain overly aggressive intimate hygiene products can also weaken this delicate balance.
Understanding these factors often helps to better explain why some women have a series of infectious episodes while others never experience any.
The right actions to naturally protect your intimate flora
Faced with these recurrences, the temptation is sometimes to increase the number of cleanings or to regularly change products.
However, this strategy can have the opposite effect.
Mon.Gyneco reminds us of a simple idea: “We all have a routine for our skin and hair… well it should be the same for our vulva.”.
However, this routine must remain particularly gentle.
Specialists recommend limiting intimate hygiene to once or twice a day, avoiding vaginal douches, which profoundly disrupt the protective flora, and favoring treatments formulated specifically to respect the pH of the vulvar area.
When infections are repeated, a discussion with a healthcare professional can also allow us to discuss the possible benefit of probiotics, the objective of which is to help restore the balance of the vaginal flora in certain situations.
Get out of the taboo to better prevent
Vaginal infections remain a subject that many women still have difficulty talking about, including with their doctor. However, they are among the most frequent reasons for gynecological consultation.
Beyond the treatments prescribed during infectious episodes, prevention is often based on a better knowledge of one’s own body and on a few simple habits, repeated on a daily basis.
Preserving the vaginal flora means preserving a real natural barrier against infections. By understanding its role and the many factors that can weaken it, it becomes possible to act more effectively and break, in certain cases, the cycle of recurrences. Because intimate health should never be a subject of embarrassment or resignation, but an area of prevention in its own right.