The vaginal microbiome is everything
The science of what goes in your body finally catching up to what we've always known
Katie
3 min read
Four years ago, I got news that changed everything: pre-cancerous cervical cells from HPV.
Like most people, I thought I'd done everything right. But that diagnosis sent me down a research rabbit hole that completely changed how I understand sexual health.
What I discovered? Almost no one was talking about the vaginal microbiome. And it turns out, it might be the most important factor in whether your body clears HPV or whether it progresses to cancer.
What the research shows
New research published in October 2025 uncovered something huge: your vaginal microbiome isn't just sitting there - it's actively protecting you.
When bacteria like Lactobacillus crispatus dominate your vaginal microbiome, they create an acidic environment, block harmful bacteria, and support your body's defenses. This helps your immune system clear HPV infections naturally.
But when that balance shifts, when harmful bacteria like Gardnerella and Sneathia take over (called dysbiosis), everything changes. Your body has a much harder time fighting off HPV.
Studies have found that women with dysbiotic (imbalance) microbiomes have significantly higher rates of persistent HPV infection and are more likely to develop precancerous lesions. One study showed that the HR-HPV infection rate was 72.73% in women with Gardnerella dominance, compared to much lower rates in women with healthy Lactobacillus levels.
Why this matters
HPV is incredibly common. Most sexually active people will get it at some point. And most people's bodies clear it naturally within 1-2 years.
But some don't. And researchers are finding that the vaginal microbiome is a key factor in who clears the infection and who progresses to serious lesions.
The research also shows that dysbiosis (microbiome imbalance) alters how your immune system responds, promotes inflammation, and can even affect how viral DNA behaves in your cells. It's not just about having ‘good bacteria’, it's about those bacteria actively influencing cancer prevention.
Studies are now exploring whether restoring healthy Lactobacillus levels through probiotics or other methods could enhance HPV vaccine efficacy and reduce cervical cancer risk. The vaginal microbiome has both diagnostic and therapeutic potential in cervical cancer prevention.
The gap nobody's talking about
Here's what's wild: There's no regulatory requirement to test how products that go inside the vagina affect the (human) vaginal microbiome.
Everyone's microbiome is unique
It's important to note that everyone's vaginal microbiome is different. What works for one person might not work for another. Some people have naturally Lactobacillus-dominated microbiomes, while others have naturally diverse bacterial communities that are perfectly healthy for them.
This is why lube preferences vary so much, and why finding products that work with your unique biology matters.
This research is exactly why vögeln exists
After my diagnosis, I became obsessed with understanding what I was putting in and on my body. And I soon discovered that the products I had been using weren't designed with vaginal health as the foundation.
So we're developing something different - pleasure without compromise
The science is finally here
We know the vaginal microbiome plays an active role in whether HPV persists or your body clears it. And we know that supporting healthy Lactobacillus bacteria could be a game-changer for prevention.
Our first product, vögeln: a f*cking gel for pleasure without compromise, is formulated with red seaweed, matched to vaginal osmolality, and free of any ingredients that may harm your microbiome.
vögeln is launching January 2026 - join the waitlist
This blog post discusses published scientific research. It does not make health claims about any vögeln products.
The health of your vaginal microbiome can influence whether your body clears HPV or not.
Want to go deeper?
→ 6000 people made history with their vaginas
