The Top Vitamins And Supplements For Vaginal Health

Vitamin E contains antioxidant properties that may help protect the vaginal ¹ area from damage.

Taking vitamin E regularly may also help to keep the vagina lubricated and prevent dryness. Keeping vitamin E levels adequate may also help prevent and treat infections. You can get vitamin E naturally through certain foods such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados, or you can take it as a dietary supplement.

Vitamin D helps to maintain normal cell function and prevent vaginal infections. Vitamin D has also been found ² to improve vaginal pH and prevent dryness in postmenopausal women. Vitamin D supports the immune system, so deficiency may cause you to be more susceptible to infections that affect the vaginal and surrounding areas, such as yeast infections, UTIs, and bacterial vaginosis. Your body gets vitamin D through sunlight, but you can also take supplements to boost your levels. Natural sources of vitamin D include eggs, dairy products, and fish.

Vitamin C is commonly taken for its immune system support. It has antioxidant properties that help the body detox and fight infections. Natural sources of vitamin C include strawberries, bell peppers, and kale. One study ³ found that regular supplementation with vitamin C worked as a successful treatment for bacterial vaginosis.

Sea buckthorn oil is a natural supplement derived from the seeds and berries of the sea buckthorn plant. This oil can be ingested as a supplement or applied topically to support vaginal health. It is rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E. These components help support vaginal health by improving the health of the mucous membranes ⁴ of the vagina.

Fish oil is commonly taken because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential to overall health and provide various health benefits, including reducing inflammation and benefitting heart health. Fish oil supplements also support vaginal health by reducing vaginal dryness and the risk of infections. You can boost your fish oil intake by eating more fish, or you can take fish oil supplements that come in capsule form.

Garlic naturally provides antibacterial and antifungal support. Taking garlic tablets may help treat symptoms of vaginal infections and prevent future infections. You can ingest more garlic through your diet or get a stronger boost by taking a garlic supplement. One case report ⁵ found that garlic can treat certain vaginal infections.

Cranberries have an acidic pH which causes them to help support healthy pH levels in the vagina. Many people are familiar with cranberry pills to treat UTIs and other vaginal infections. Because cranberries are naturally so acidic, they can also help to kill harmful bacteria and prevent infections. You can ingest cranberry by drinking pure cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills.

Probiotics are rising in popularity for their support of gut health. Many people don’t realize that probiotics can support other areas of the body, including the vagina. Just like the gut, the vagina also has healthy bacteria that live there naturally. Taking probiotics helps to support these healthy bacteria, preventing harmful bacteria from taking over and causing infections like yeast infections, vaginitis, and UTIs.

You can get probiotics by taking them as a supplement or eating certain foods high in probiotics. Food sources of probiotics include fermented foods such as sauerkraut, yogurt, and kombucha. Some probiotics are specifically formulated to benefit vaginal health, so if you are taking them for this purpose, make sure to find a probiotic designed to target vaginal health specifically.

You’re probably familiar with the mineral zinc. Many people take zinc to boost their immune system when they are feeling sick. In addition to supporting your immune system, zinc also supports proper metabolic function and wound healing.

Zinc is beneficial specifically for women in a variety of ways. One study found that a vaginal moisturizing gel containing zinc helped to improve vaginal symptoms such as pain, dryness, and itching in postmenopausal women.

Another study looked at zinc’s benefits for women with certain reproductive disorders, such as PCOS, painful periods, endometriosis, and vaginal dryness. This study found a variety of benefits of zinc for women’s health, some of which are listed below.

• Zinc helps to improve tissue health and support healthy collagen levels, which may help to relieve vaginal dryness.
• Healthy zinc levels can help to support proper hormonal levels, including female hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
• Zinc supplementation can help to improve symptoms of PCOS.
• Taking zinc during your menstrual period can help reduce your period pain intensity.

Because zinc helps to support your immune system, it may help your body fight off certain infections, such as bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections.

Not everyone needs to supplement zinc; most people can get enough zinc from your diet through foods like chicken and red meat. However, if you have a zinc deficiency, you may need to supplement it. Talk with your doctor about whether zinc supplementation is good for you.

Magnesium serves a variety of important functions in the body. This essential nutrient ensures that blood sugar levels stay stable, supports muscle and nerve function, and supports bone health. Supplementing magnesium tends to be beneficial since many people are deficient in it.
Healthy magnesium levels are especially beneficial for women since magnesium levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle.

Magnesium supplementation may help with treating PMS and menstrual migraines. One study looked at transdermal magnesium usage as a treatment for vaginal conditions but was inconclusive.

Selenium has antioxidant properties, meaning it can protect cells from free radical damage, also referred to as oxidative stress. One of the many ways that selenium supports your health is by ensuring that the thyroid is functioning properly.

Your thyroid is an important gland in your body that supports hormonal health and affects a variety of functions in the body. Poor thyroid function has been associated with vaginal dryness, so making sure your thyroid is functioning properly by ensuring you’re getting enough selenium may help with some vaginal health issues.

Selenium is naturally found in foods such as:

• Brazil nuts
• Seafood
• Lean meats
• Pasta
• Rice
• Eggs
• Oatmeal