MyMicrobiome Standard 21.10 – Vaginal Microbiome

This step ensures that the product is not contaminated by microbes. A screening examines the occurrence of mesophilic and aerobic microorganisms, i.e. bacteria, yeasts or molds (TAMC and TYMC). Since products for the intimate areas can come into contact with mucous membranes, the limit value is ≤ 1 x 10 ² cfu /g or ml ^a .

Here, co-cultures are created with the two most common vaginal microbes, L. crispatus and the pathogenic bacteria G. vaginalis and are brought into contact with the vaginal product to be tested. After a certain period of time, the ratio of the two microbes is compared to an untreated control group. The product must not affect the natural balance of the microbiome dominated by lactobacilli.

For this test, we culture the microbes typically found in the vaginal tract, namely L. crispatus , L. gasseri and L. jensenii .

These cultures are exposed to the product to be tested for a certain period of time and the change in growth is compared with an untreated control group. Growth behavior must be maintained for a result that shows an ‘intact’ vaginal microbiome.

A Microbiome-friendly vaginal care product must preserve microbe diversity and it must not inhibit the growth of microbes. The Vitality test is carried out on a skin contact model, i.e. the key microbes are brought into direct contact with the product and, in a second step, the key microbes are covered with an agar layer. The agar layer simulates the protective top layer of skin, so it accommodates the product somewhat by providing an extra barrier for the product to diffuse. The growth of the microbes from the two batches is compared to the untreated control group. The product being tested must not significantly inhibit microbial growth.