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Vaginal flora
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<p>Vaginal flora, vaginal microbiota or vaginal microbiome are the <a href="/facts/Microorganisms/pysJYcE2">microorganisms</a> that colonize the <a href="/facts/Vagina/ca5jsTwF">vagina</a>. They were discovered by the German gynecologist <a href="/facts/Albert_D%25C3%25B6derlein/aTzvJUan">Albert Döderlein</a> in 1892 and are part of the overall <a href="/facts/Human_flora/xJIRMUAY">human flora</a>. The amount and type of bacteria present have significant implications for an individual's overall health. The primary colonizing bacteria of a healthy individual are of the genus <i><a href="/facts/Lactobacillus/pwoacAbe">Lactobacillus</a></i>, such as <i><a href="/facts/Lactobacillus_crispatus/tTjlBXAD">L. crispatus</a></i>, and the <a href="/facts/Lactic_acid/BsVRFx7s">lactic acid</a> they produce is thought to protect against infection by pathogenic species. </p>