CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many women believe that the vagina is like a self-cleaning oven that needs little maintenance or care. If that’s the case, why do they have so many feminine health issues? RepHresh asked doctors to address this difficult feminine health issue.

For many women the vagina is self-sufficient and naturally self-cleaning. A healthy vagina is colonized by a mutually symbiotic flora of microorganisms that are naturally present and, most of the time, this keeps trouble at bay. But, this is not always the case. “There is a misconception that the vagina is always self-cleaning, and that women who have vaginal issues must be doing something wrong. Not true. The normal vaginal pH balance of 4.3 can be easily disrupted by everyday occurrences like menstruation, intercourse and normal hormone fluctuations,” says Dr. Lauren Streicher, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University’s medical school. “In other words, the 'self-cleaning' mechanism for some women is not adequate to withstand pH elevations so feminine odor and other issues can result – even when women are doing everything right.

“We need to stop stigmatizing this problem," Dr. Streicher explains. “While most women’s bodies can tolerate episodes of pH elevation, in some women, even a slight imbalance can tip the scales, causing a funny odor or other vaginal issues. It’s normal – it happens – you take care of it. It’s nobody’s fault.”

Of course, there are some things women should avoid and things that they can do to maintain their vaginal health. “The last thing a woman should do is try to wash or spray away odor with washes, wipes or sprays – because it will not fix the source of the problem and it may disrupt the natural flora,” Dr. Streicher warns. “Maintaining healthy pH and a good balance of beneficial lactobacillus is the key. This is the body’s natural 'self-cleaning' mechanism.”

In her Oz blog, When Your Vagina’s in a pHunk, Dr. Streicher recommends 2 over-the-counter products: RepHresh Gel and Pro-B. RepHresh Gel maintains healthy pH and eliminates odor. Pro-B provides vaginal strains of beneficial lactobacillus that balance yeast and bacteria to maintain feminine health.*

“If a person believes that the vagina is a self-cleaning oven, nothing may change their minds. But, the truth is, that sometimes even things that are perceived as self sufficient occasionally need intervention,” says Dr. Machelle Seibel, author of My Menopause Magazine, health and menopause educator, “It's like the ocean is self-cleaning in an ecosystem. When circumstances alter that ecosystem, it has to be recreated. RepHresh Vaginal Gel maintains the healthy pH that reboots the vaginal ecology and Pro-B provides the beneficial bacteria to balance yeast and bacteria. When a healthy ecosystem is maintained, the vagina can be self-cleaning - - until something upsets the balance again.”

RepHresh Vaginal Gel is a non-messy, clear gel in a pre-filled applicator that eliminates odor, relieves discomfort and maintains healthy pH. When pH is unbalanced, odor-causing microorganisms can flourish. Healthy pH can help reduce risk of vaginal issues. RepHresh Pro-B is a probiotic capsule taken orally once a day to balance yeast and bacteria. When used regularly, it can maintain vaginal flora in a normal range.* RepHresh Vaginal Gel and RepHresh Pro-B are available in the feminine care aisle of most drug and discount stores. For more information, visit www.RepHresh.com or call (877) 507.6516.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.