Vaginal Microbiomes and Other Things We Should Be Talking About: A Conversation with Ara Katz
At maude, we’re passionate about not just creating products that support sexual wellness, but also fostering conversations around the body, health, and the importance of breaking down barriers. We spoke with Ara Katz, the co-founder of Seed, a company that’s revolutionizing the way we understand the microbiome and its role in our health—especially when it comes to women's wellness. Ara's work has made groundbreaking strides in tackling the vaginal microbiome, an area of women's health that has long been neglected, misunderstood, or underfunded.
Ara is reshaping how we think about the body's internal ecosystem, exploring the intersections of science, microbiome research, and empowering people to take control of their health. In this conversation, we dive deep into why the vaginal microbiome was the next frontier for Seed, how hormones impact vaginal health, and the ever-evolving conversation around women's wellness. Keep reading for insights into the world of microbiomes, vaginal health, and how we can all engage in these important conversations without stigma.
You’ve tackled the gut microbiome and children’s microbiome. Why was the vaginal microbiome the obvious next direction for Seed?
A: When we started Seed, we had a vision to use the microbiome as a powerful new framework for health—one that could entirely shift our understanding and approach to care, especially in areas that have historically lacked innovation. And one of the areas of health that has systematically been underfunded, under-researched, and underrepresented is women’s health.
Eight years ago, we recognized that the vaginal microbiome was the next frontier of women's health. This led us to connect with renowned vaginal microbiome researcher, Dr. Jacques Ravel, to translate nearly two decades of his groundbreaking research for real-world applications. The result is VS-01™: the first three-strain vaginal synbiotic (probiotic + prebiotic) clinically validated to establish an optimal vaginal microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus—the vagina’s most protective bacteria.
How do hormones impact the vaginal microbiome?
A: Just as you grow and change over time, the composition of your VMB naturally shifts—by the year, month, and even the day—in response to hormones and various disruptors.
- Puberty: Before puberty, the vaginal microbiome is pretty quiet. With the onset of puberty comes a surge in estrogen production, which has a profound effect on the vaginal microbiome. Lactobacillus bacteria start to flourish, thanks to increased glycogen (a form of sugar) that these bacteria love. By the end of puberty, Lactobacillus is usually in charge, keeping things balanced.
- Menstrual Cycles: Your period can shake things up. Menstrual blood is slightly alkaline, which can temporarily change your vaginal pH. Hormonal ups and downs during your cycle also impact your vaginal microbiome. Estrogen helps Lactobacillus thrive, but when estrogen dips during your period, there's more bacterial diversity and fewer Lactobacillus. This can sometimes lead to yeast infections right before your period.
- Menopause: During perimenopause and menopause, lower estrogen levels change your vaginal microbiome again. Lactobacillus levels drop, and other bacteria can take over, increasing the risk of infections. Without hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the vaginal microbiome can resemble that of someone with bacterial vaginosis, with higher pH levels and vaginal discomfort. But maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, and making informed choices can help keep your vaginal microbiome balanced during this time.
How does a healthy vaginal microbiome translate to a healthy urinary tract?
A: A balanced vaginal microbiome helps protect against UTIs by preventing harmful bacteria from reaching the urinary tract.
- Lactobacillus Defense: Lactobacillus crispatus produces lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, creating a barrier against UTI-causing bacteria like E. coli.
- Microbial Protection: A resilient vaginal microbiome reduces bacterial transfer to the urethra, lowering UTI risk.
- The Vaginal-Urinary Connection: Like the vaginal microbiome, a urinary microbiome rich in Lactobacillus supports better urinary health.
- Sex & UTIs: Since sex (including oral) can introduce disruptive bacteria, maintaining strong Lactobacillus populations—through diet, hydration, specific lifestyle choices and vaginal probiotics—can help support urinary health.
Can vaginal microbiota impact pleasure and arousal? If so, how?
A: Yes, the vaginal microbiota can absolutely impact pleasure and arousal. The vaginal microbiome (VMB) is primarily dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria, which help maintain an optimal acidic environment. This environment plays a role in vaginal lubrication, tissue health, and overall comfort during intercourse. When the VMB is stable, it can help prevent infections, irritation, and inflammation—factors that could otherwise cause discomfort or pain during sex, reducing pleasure.
Additionally, the gut-vagina axis highlights a connection between the gut microbiome and estrogen regulation. Estrogen is key for vaginal health, influencing lubrication and tissue elasticity. Since adequate lubrication is essential for pleasurable, pain-free sex, disruptions in the microbiome that alter estrogen levels could indirectly impact arousal and sensation.
How does intercourse impact our vaginal microbiome? Do we want to be sharing those germs?!
A: Intercourse introduces new microbes into the vaginal microbiome, which can sometimes be beneficial and other times disruptive.
- Microbial Exchange: Partner microbes (from the penis, mouth, hands, or sex toys) can shift the vaginal balance. Sex with male partners often increases microbial diversity, which can raise the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV) if Lactobacillus levels drop. With same-sex female partners, a more stable microbiome may sometimes be shared, reinforcing Lactobacillus dominance.
- Semen & pH Disruption: Semen is more alkaline than the vagina, and condomless sex can temporarily raise vaginal pH, making it easier for disruptive bacteria to thrive.
- Protection: Semen is more alkaline than the environment of the vagina, and studies show that condomless sex can increase the number of anaerobic bugs in the vaginal flora, leading to higher rates of BV. Condoms can help protect against not only STIs, but other microbes, too!
- Lubrication: Even gentle sexual activity can lead to microscopic abrasions in the vagina, all of which can be entry points for pathogenic bacteria. Look for a lube that is free of synthetic fragrances or other pH disruptors to protect your vaginal microbiome.
- Sexual Hygiene: Cleaning hands, toys, and external genital areas before sex can help prevent the introduction of unwanted bacteria. Urinating after sex may also help flush the urethra, though research is mixed on its effectiveness in preventing UTIs.
So, should we be sharing those germs? It depends :) A well-balanced vaginal microbiome is resilient, but unprotected sex, new partners, or pH-disrupting factors can throw it off balance. Practicing safe sex, using the right lubricants, and maintaining good hygiene can help protect both pleasure and vaginal health.
Do we inherit our vaginal microbiome, the same way we inherit our gut microbiome at birth?
A: Not exactly. While both the gut and vaginal microbiomes are shaped by birth, they follow slightly different trajectories. A newborn’s first microbes are inherited from their biological mother through a process called seeding, which occurs during vaginal birth. This early exposure to maternal vaginal, gut, and skin microbes helps establish the infant’s microbiome, including early microbial colonization of the gut and skin.
Unlike the gut microbiome, which begins stabilizing in early life through diet and environmental exposures, the vaginal microbiome remains relatively simple in early childhood, with a mix of bacteria more similar to skin or oral microbes.
As a child grows, their vaginal microbiome shifts in response to environmental exposures, diet, and medications. It isn’t until puberty, when estrogen levels rise, that Lactobacillus species become dominant, creating a more acidic environment that helps protect against infections.
So while there is an element of microbial inheritance at birth, the vaginal microbiome is shaped more by life stages and hormonal shifts than the gut microbiome.
How have you found the process of diminishing stigma around this important topic—from moving away from qualifying terms like “healthy” and “unhealthy” or “good” and “bad,” to encouraging people to talk about it at all?
A: Dismantling stigma around the vaginal microbiome starts with language, but it doesn’t end there. Moving away from binary terms like “good” vs. “bad” or “healthy” vs. “unhealthy” is an important shift—but just as critical is creating a framework that helps people understand what’s actually happening in their bodies.
- We prioritize science over judgment—Instead of moralizing vaginal health, we talk about the microbiome as a dynamic system that responds to life stages, behaviors, and external factors.
- We aren’t afraid to say vagina—We integrate vaginal health into broader wellness and microbiome conversations—treating it with the same openness as gut health to remove stigma and encourage engagement.
- We meet people where they are––Whether it’s through scientific deep dives or engaging social content, we create multiple entry points for learning, so the conversation feels inclusive rather than intimidating.
Ultimately, the more we talk about the vaginal microbiome with openness, accuracy, and curiosity, the easier it becomes for others to do the same. The goal isn’t just to reduce stigma—it’s to replace it with knowledge, agency, and a new understanding of what vaginal health really means.
Has increasing censorship on social media around female health, pleasure, and even just the word vagina impacted your ability to engage in this conversation at all? If so, how are you combatting this?
A: While Seed’s content has not yet faced censorship since launching VS-01™, we’ve spent years researching and advocating for the vaginal microbiome as the necessary revolution in women’s health—one that extends far beyond social media algorithms.
But censorship is just one part of a broader systemic issue. When we began our vaginal microbiome program, we encountered investor bias—one banker even advised us not to tell investors we were focusing on women’s health. The barriers to advancing research, funding, and open discourse around vaginal health run deep across science, medicine, and culture.
How can your vaginal microbiome fall out of sync—and what is the best way to get it back on track?
A: Everything from your menstrual cycle and pregnancy status to the types of period and personal care products you use can temporarily alter your vaginal microbiome. And since the vaginal environment is far from fixed, there are plenty of things you can do to shape yours.
Common Disruptors:
- Sex & Sexual Hygiene: Introducing new bacteria through sex can shift vaginal balance. Urinating after sex helps flush out unwanted microbes.
- Menstrual & Personal Care Products: Scented tampons, pads, and harsh cleansers can disrupt pH—opt for unscented, organic products.
- Douching & Harsh Products: The vagina is self-cleaning. Douching and scented soaps strip protective bacteria, increasing infection risk.
- Tight Clothing & Moisture: Breathable cotton underwear helps prevent bacterial overgrowth in warm, damp environments.
- Diet & Gut Health: Excess sugar feeds harmful bacteria, while fiber-rich, phytoestrogen-containing foods (fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds) support beneficial Lactobacillus growth.
- Antibiotics & Smoking: Antibiotics wipe out good bacteria, and smoking reduces Lactobacillus, increasing BV risk.
Restoring Balance:
- Use Protection: Condoms and dental dams help reduce STI risk and microbiome disruption.
- Eat for Your Microbiome: A fiber-rich, plant-heavy diet with minimal processed sugar supports vaginal health.
- Limit Antibiotic Use: Take only when necessary to preserve beneficial bacteria.
- Change After Sweating: Prevent moisture buildup post-exercise to reduce bacterial overgrowth.
- Choose the Right Vaginal Probiotic: Many probiotics marketed for vaginal health are taken orally, despite no direct path from the gut to the vagina. If a probiotic is meant to support the vaginal microbiome, it needs to be inserted directly into the vagina and contain native vaginal strains associated with optimal vaginal health. That’s why we designed VS-01™—an intra-vaginal synbiotic with three clinically validated strains of Lactobacillus crispatus to establish an optimal, protective vaginal microbiome.
The gut-brain axis is gaining traction in wellness circles. But what about the gut-vulva axis? How does gut health impact arousal and pleasure?
A: The gut microbiome plays a surprising role in sexual health by influencing hormones, neurotransmitters, and mood—all key drivers of arousal and pleasure.
- Gut Microbes Help Get You in the Mood:
The gut-brain axis connects gut microbes to neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which shape pleasure, desire, and emotional connection. Since 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut, imbalances may impact libido, mood, and overall arousal. - Hormonal Balance & Lubrication:
The estrobolome—a subset of gut bacteria—helps regulate estrogen, which influences vaginal lubrication, tissue health, and sexual comfort. Balanced estrogen levels support natural lubrication and heightened sensitivity, both essential for pleasure. - The Gut-Vagina Connection:
The gut and vaginal microbiomes interact, meaning gut health can influence vaginal microbial balance. A stable vaginal microbiome supports resilience, comfort, and a reduced risk of disruptions that could interfere with pleasure. - Emotional Readiness & Stress Regulation:
Gut microbes help regulate stress and anxiety, which are major barriers to arousal. A balanced gut microbiome supports emotional well-being, making it easier to feel relaxed and receptive to pleasure.
Though research is still evolving, it’s clear that a thriving gut microbiome sets the stage for better arousal, comfort, and overall sexual satisfaction.
Will you target the penile microbiome next? Is that even a thing?!
A: Yes, the penile microbiome is absolutely a thing! Although research is still emerging, we know that the microbial communities of the penis shift depending on circumcision status, sexual activity, and interactions with a partner’s microbiome. The penile microbiome may play a role in fertility, reproductive health, and even the transmission of bacteria that influence vaginal health.
Given that some studies suggest biofilms in the penile microbiome can harbor bacteria like Gardnerella (which contributes to BV in partners), understanding and supporting the penile microbiome could have significant implications for sexual and reproductive health.
We don’t have plans to expand into that category just yet, but the penile microbiome certainly presents an exciting frontier for innovation and education.
The same five questions we always ask:
What’s on your nightstand?
Books.
What is your favorite way to set the mood?
Be in nature and out of earshot of my children :)
If you were to role play, who would you be?
My team is reading this!
Where is the most unusual place you’ve ever had sex?
A museum.
Do you call the morning after?
No.
