How Hormonal Fluctuations Impact Vaginal Health
When things feel off down there (we're talking itchiness, pain, weird discharge), it's easy to spiral. Is it hormones? An infection? That scented liner you kinda knew you shouldn’t have used?
To help you get to the bottom of it (pun 100% intended), we’ve called in someone who really knows her stuff.
Meet Kirsty Smith - a menstrual health educator, certified nutritionist, and the powerhouse behind Natural Rays. Kirsty’s got years of experience helping people decode the chaos of hormones and body shifts. and she’s here to break it down with honesty, clarity, and zero shame.
In this post, she’s diving deep into how your hormones (especially oestrogen) affect your vaginal and vulva health - and how to tell if what you're feeling is hormonal, environmental, or something else entirely.
Spoiler: your vagina is incredibly smart. But even smart systems need support sometimes.
Let’s get into it.
Hormones, itchiness & WTF is going on down there
Let’s be real - when your vulva feels itchy, sore or just off, it can mess with your day and your head. You start wondering: is it something I ate? Something I used? Something hormonal? Over to Kirsty:
"In this post we will cover how to tell whether your vaginal itchiness or pain is due to a shift in hormone levels or something else.
"So firstly, can our reproductive hormones impact our vaginal and vulva health? Yes! Our hormones influence almost every organ in the body. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly changes in oestrogen levels, significantly impact vaginal health as they influence:
- Tissue elasticity
- The thickness of vagina’s walls
- Lubrication
- Susceptibility to infections.
"So how can you tell whether your vaginal itchiness, changes in discharge or pain is because you’ve been using fragranced period products (for the record, don’t do this, there are much better options available) or due to a shift in hormone levels/ phase of your cycle.
How oestrogen impacts vaginal health
Your oestrogen levels don’t just affect your mood - they directly impact your vaginal health, too. Here's what happens when they dip too low or climb too high.
Too little oestrogen:
"Oestrogen stimulates the production of glycogen, a sugar that thickens the vaginal lining and nourishes protective bacteria called lactobacilli. When oestrogen levels drop, glycogen and lactobacilli decrease, disrupting vaginal pH and allowing BV-causing bacteria to thrive.
"Oestrogen also thickens the vaginal lining. When levels drop, the tissue can become thin and dry—a condition called vaginal atrophy—which raises infection risk and may contribute to pelvic organ prolapse, where a pelvic organ shifts into the vagina.
"UTIs are mainly caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) entering the vaginal microbiome. Lower oestrogen levels increase susceptibility to UTIs. This is why UTIs are more common during and after menopause, when oestrogen levels decline.
Too much oestrogen:
"However, excessive oestrogen can promote yeast infections. These occur when Candida—a fungus naturally present in the vagina—overgrows, leading to itching, burning, and the characteristic “cottage cheese” discharge.
"Recent studies show that oestrogen alters Candida’s growth and gene expression, helping it multiply and evade the immune system. As a result, high oestrogen levels can trigger yeast infections if Candida is already present in the vaginal microbiome.
"High oestrogen levels are linked to yeast infections, which may explain their prevalence during pregnancy, when oestrogen can rise up to 30-fold. Symptoms also commonly appear in the luteal phase—just before menstruation—due to the oestrogen surge at ovulation.
"Our oestrogen levels change throughout our menstrual cycle and various phases of life from pregnancy, postparpum, peri/ menopause, these hormonal shifts can affect the risk of bacterial or yeast infections. Ongoing or recurring hormonal changes often lead to related vaginal issues.
How periods impact vaginal health
Your period doesn’t just affect your mood and energy - it also shifts the delicate balance of your vaginal environment. Here's why that matters.
"Menstruation also impacts the vaginal environment. While a healthy vaginal pH is acidic (between 3.8 and 4.5), menstrual blood has a pH of 7.4, making the environment more alkaline during periods. This could cause more issues for those of us with longer or heavier periods that can create conditions that encourage the growth of certain pathogens.
"Choosing breathable, non-toxic period products can help minimise the risk of thrush and other vaginal health issues like itchiness and infections.
Wuka’s breathable period pants have been designed with your vaginal health in mind:
+ The outer layer is moisture-wicking to keep you feeling dry.
+ The middle layers absorb and lock-in the blood.
+ The leak-proof layers are uniquely breathable to reduce smells and the build of bacteria.
"Also remember that regardless of what society tells us with lots of marketing for “female hygiene products” and “intimate washes” there’s nothing unclean or unhygienic about your vulva and vagina. It’s an amazing self-cleaning organ that doesn’t require daily washing with soaps or fragranged products (this causes more irritation and changes to your delicate PH).
Related posts
Importance of Vaginal pH Levels
