FAQs about GYNALAC
GYNALAC is tried and clinically tested. The active ingredients in the product occur normally in a healthy vagina and have been used to restore vaginal imbalance since the early 1990s.
Do not use GYNALAC if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. GYNALAC can be used during breastfeeding and during pregnancy, however, you should consult your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of a vaginal infection during pregnancy. Do not use GYNALAC if you are trying to conceive as the gel has a low pH, which makes the environment less suitable for sperm. Please note, GYNALAC should not be used as a form of contraception.
In rare cases, vaginal itching or burning may occur at the start of treatment. This reaction has also been observed with other vaginal preparations and usually goes away. If you have any concerns you should consult your healthcare professional.
If you have an allergy or reaction to any of its ingredients, the product should be discontinued. For more detailed information, please see the Warnings in the Product Information Brochure or on the packaging.
GYNALAC is a vaginal freshening gel – not a douche! Douching involves completely washing your vagina with a liquid, many of which contain harsh chemicals (like paraben preservatives). Douching disrupts the vaginal ecosystem – washing out the good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria, and can increase the rates of vaginal infections, like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. GYNALAC is a gel that is inserted the vagina. It has the same pH as a healthy vagina and supports the vagina’s self-cleaning mechanisms. It is paraben-free and is isotonic, which means that the salt concentration of the gel is the same as healthy vaginal tissue. Unlike many douches and freshening gels that are hypertonic, GYNALAC will not dehydrate vaginal cells. Instead, GYNALAC keeps vaginal cells properly hydrated.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, even for an unrelated condition, use GYNALAC, immediately after completing your course of antibiotics to help maintain a natural and healthy vaginal balance.
- Keep genital area clean and dry.
- Avoid using perfumed intimate products (soaps, vaginal deodorants, etc.) as these can disrupt the natural and healthy vaginal balance.
- Avoid excessive washing (or douching) of the vagina, as this may strip away the healthy bacteria lining the vagina that prevent the unfriendly bacteria from over growing.
If you notice a recurrence of symptoms around the time of your period, using GYNALAC immediately after your period can help to maintain the natural pH and prevent the symptoms from recurring.
If you use the product during your period, there is a risk that your flow could wash some of the product out, making it less effective. We recommend you apply one dose (3 mL) of GYNALAC daily for 3 consecutive days at the end of your menstrual cycle.
GYNALAC is formulated to be rapidly absorbed by your vaginal tissue. In the event of leakage, a panty liner may be used.
It is best to use GYNALAC at bedtime.
Do not use GYNALAC before swimming or bathing. If you use the product before you swim or take a bath there is a risk that the water could wash some of the product out, making it less effective.
Yes, you can have intercourse while using GYNALAC. Please note, GYNALAC should not be used as a form of contraception.
Yes. GYNALAC can be used with condoms and other barrier contraceptives made with latex and polyisoprene, but not with polyurethane.
Do not use GYNALAC if you are trying to conceive as the gel has a low pH, which makes the environment less suitable for sperm.
Yes, GYNALAC is safe to use when breastfeeding.
GYNALAC is nontoxic. If ingested, there is no cause for alarm.
Store GYNALAC, in its box, in a dry place at room temperature, 15°C to 30°C. Do not use beyond the expiry date. The expiry date is stated on the tube and carton. Once used, the tube can be disposed of in accordance with local and environmental regulations.
Many women notice their symptoms start to improve after just one dose.
It is not harmful to continue to use GYNALAC for longer than 7 days, however if symptoms do persist it is advisable to see your doctor.
Yes. In fact, using GYNALAC for four to five days at the end of a course of antibiotics can help to restore the correct vaginal pH and prevent the growth of organisms that may cause an infection.
Great question! Vaginal pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the vagina is. A healthy vaginal pH is usually between 3.8 and 4.5. This is important to know because an overly acidic or alkaline vaginal pH can lead to infections like yeast or BV, odor, excessive discharge, vaginal dryness, itchiness, vulva soreness and general discomfort.
Here are some things that may negatively impact your vaginal pH:
Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill off both the good and bad bacteria in the vagina. The problem is, the vagina needs good bacteria to fight off the infection causing bad bacteria. Without good bacteria, women are more likely to breed infections like yeast.
Sex: The alkaline pH value of semen is HIGH (usually around 7.1-8). Semen can disturb the vagina’s acidic environment, which can lead to BV.
Menstruation: Blood has a pH of 7.4, so during your period, vaginal pH can become elevated and cause discomfort and infection.
Menopause: A decrease in estrogen levels reduces the numbers of healthy bacteria in the vagina, and eventually can increase the vagina’s pH levels causing recurring infections.
FAQs about Vaginal Heath and Odors
Vaginitis (or vaginal infections) is a medical term used to describe various conditions that cause infection or inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain. The most common types of vaginitis are Yeast infections and Bacterial Vaginosis. Approximately 50% of all vaginal infections are classified as bacterial vaginosis, while only about 25% are classified as Yeast infections. If these kinds of infections are left untreated, they can lead to serious complications.
Bacterial Vaginosis, trichomoniasis and candidiasis (Yeast infection) are caused by different pathogens and must be treated differently. Each type of infection requires a specific treatment, and some infections have more than one cause.
Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal infections and is about twice as common as Yeast infections. Bacterial Vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, such as Gardnerella or Prevotella bivia, whereas, Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida.
As the symptoms of both Yeast infections and Bacterial Vaginosis can be very similar, 2 out of 3 women frequently misdiagnose their symptoms and use the wrong treatment. One major recognizable difference between Bacterial Vaginosis and a Yeast infection is the bothersome unpleasant “fishy” odor associated with Bacterial Vaginosis, especially after having sex.
What triggers the bacterial imbalance is poorly understood. It is related to loss of normal vaginal acidity which, in turn, can result from hormonal and lifestyle changes. Once intimate pH balance is disturbed, acid-loving Lactobacilli (beneficial bacteria) disappear and the growth of less beneficial bacteria is encouraged.
Hormonal factors affect vaginal acidity and glycogen levels which normally promote the growth of beneficial Lactobacilli. As a result, vaginal odor often arises spontaneously before and during menstruation, then resolves mid-cycle, although recurrences are common.
Any woman can get vaginal odor. However, some activities or behaviors can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and put women at increased risk including:
- Menstruation
- Contraceptives
- Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners
- Douching
- Using antibiotics
- Using vaginal medications
- Smoking
- Stress
- Menopause
- Diet
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, even for an unrelated condition, use GYNALAC, immediately after completing your course of antibiotics, to help maintain a natural and healthy vaginal balance.
- Keep vaginal area clean and dry.
- Avoid using perfumed intimate products (soaps, vaginal deodorants, etc.) as these irritate the vagina and disrupt the natural and healthy vaginal balance.
- Avoid excessive washing (or douching) of the vagina: this may remove healthy bacteria lining the vagina.
- Use a condom if you notice that sexual intercourse promotes symptoms. Semen is alkaline and can alter the natural pH of the vagina and predispose you to developing vaginal odor.
An unpleasant vaginal odor usually results from a pH imbalance which has allowed for the flourishing of odor-causing micro-organisms in the vagina. The optimal range of vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5 (acidic), and when imbalanced, the pH can increase and become more alkaline (less acidic), allowing unfriendly bacterial to proliferate. Vaginal odor may be yeasty, signifying a Yeast Infection or fishy, sometimes signifying Bacterial Vaginosis.
Vaginal douching is not recommended by most medical professionals around the world. The consensus is that not only does vaginal douching have no benefits; it may also be harmful for your vagina in general. The vagina is an ecosystem wherein multiple types of organisms thrive, including bacteria and fungi. These organisms keep each other in check and maintain the health of the organ. These organisms help maintain the pH Levels (the alkaline to acidic ratio) within the vagina. Douching may actually disrupt the balance and cause harm by destroying one type of micro-organisms and letting the other proliferate, thus causing infections and other problems.
- Riduan Joesoef M et al. Bacterial vaginosis. Clinical evidence.bmj.com/ceweb/conditions/seh/160, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Pirotta M. Bacterial vaginosis more questions than answers. Australian Family Physician Jun 2009;38:394-7
You now have an option to deal with vaginal odor that tackles the problem at its source.
Developing a routine, with GYNALAC, that maintains a healthy pH balance is the secret to preventing and eliminating vaginal odor, once and for all.
GYNALAC: An antibiotic-free approach to both treat and prevent Bacterial Vaginosis. Click here to learn more!
Mode of Action: GYNALAC combines two ingredients, normally produced by your vagina, to provide rapid relief of bacterial vaginosis and its symptoms. Click here to learn more about this antibiotic-free option!
Treatment & Prevention: Click here to find out more about how to start your routine with GYNALAC to prevent your next bacterial vaginosis infection.
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FAQs: Click here to find the answers to commonly asked questions on GYNALAC and bacterial vaginosis.
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