it’s Emily here! Happy 2026, everyone! As I sit here reflecting on the whirlwind that was 2025, I am struck by how much our conversation around health has shifted. If 2024 was the year we started “listening to our gut,” then 2025 was the year we finally understood what it was trying to tell us. […]
New Year, New Gut: Why 2025 Was the Year of the Microbiome and How to Biohack Your 2026 Read More »
it’s Emily here. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC), commonly known as a yeast infection, is a familiar and frustrating affliction for millions of women, particularly in the US and UK. While standard antifungal treatments are effective for acute episodes, the high rate of recurrence, often affecting 50-75% of women at least once and a significant portion repeatedly
it’s Emily here. Every time I scroll through wellness forums or supplement shelves, I notice the same trend: probiotics bragging about huge numbers. Labels scream “50 billion CFUs,” sometimes even more, as if that number alone were proof of effectiveness. But when it comes to women’s health, Candida balance, and microbiome support, I’ve learned that
Do You Really Need 50 Billion CFUs to Beat Candida? Read More »
it’s Emily here. Most introductions to vaginal health start with symptoms and treatments. A better place to begin is the ecosystem itself: the vaginal microbiome. In healthy, reproductive-age women, this ecosystem is typically low in diversity and dominated by Lactobacillus species that keep the environment acidic and inhospitable to pathogens—one reason pH < 4.5 is
Vaginal Microbiome 101: What a Healthy Microbiome Looks Like Read More »
it’s Emily here. When we think about gut health, digestion is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But science is showing us that the gut microbiome does much more than break down food — it plays an essential role in balancing women’s hormones and even in supporting vaginal health. This connection is becoming
How Gut Health Affects Women’s Hormones & Vaginal Health Read More »
it’s Emily here. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is one of the most common infections in women — and also one of the most often mistaken. Data from the CDC show that its symptoms — such as itching, discharge, and discomfort — can easily be confused with other causes of vaginitis, making a clinical diagnosis essential before starting
Candidiasis and the Vaginal Microbiome: Where Probiotics Can Help Read More »
it’s Emily here. Every few months I come across a new headline claiming probiotics are a scam, a waste of money, or even “just expensive placebos.” Recently, I read an opinion piece in The Washington Post by Dr. Trisha Pasricha (“Probiotics are often a waste of money. Try this instead.”) that carried exactly that message:
Are Probiotics Worth It? What The Washington Post Got Right (and Wrong) Read More »
it’s Emily here. If you’ve been hanging out with me on this blog for a while, you know I have a soft spot for all things microbiome. Today, I want to introduce (or reintroduce!) you to one of the most fascinating members of our gut community: Bifidobacterium longum. I know, it sounds like something out
Bifidobacterium longum: Why This Tiny Microbe Could Be a Big Deal for Women’s Health Read More »
it’s Emily here! Okay, confession time: when people used to talk about gut health, I rolled my eyes a little. It sounded like one of those wellness buzzwords. But the deeper I dug into the science — and honestly, after struggling with bloating and weird digestive issues myself — I realized our gut microbiome is
Why Gut Health is More Than Just Digestion (And Why I Care Now More Than Ever) Read More »
