MyMicrobiome Standard 41.10 – Vaginal microbiome

Even though the microbial diversity of the vaginal microbiome is very low compared to other body regions, it is a unique ecosystem. Its function is to maintain the pH in the right range and to ward off pathogens.

The vaginal flora is very sensitive. It is important to protect this area as best as possible to be spared from imbalance.

The products to be tested include tampons, menstrual cups and sponges, panties, panty liners, pads, and period underwear.

MyMicrobiome Standard 41.10 tests on three key bacteria for the vaginal area:

Lactobacillus crispatus

Lactobacillus gasseri

Lactobacillus jensenii

The test procedure for Standard 41.10 - vaginal microbiome

The textile product undergoes four test phases as part of the "Microbiome-friendly" certification.

1. Washing and Sterilization

All textiles are washed in our laboratory according to a standardized procedure and then steam sterilized (autoclaved).
Hygienic products will be sterilized by means of UV light.

2. Balance test

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 textile 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.

3. Diversity test

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 textile 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.

4. Vitality test

A Microbiome-friendly vaginal textile product must preserve microbial diversity and 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 textile being tested must not significantly influence microbial growth.

"A large number of chemicals are used in the manufacture of textiles. These pollute the environment and have a potentially negative impact on our skin microbiome. With our certification, consumers get transparency and the opportunity to choose for their health."

Dr. Kristin Neumann, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer