Woman ‘shamed’ by vagina issue fights for better health awareness

A Sydney woman who had a “feeling something wasn’t right” downstairs has taken matters into her own hands after it left her very isolated.

A woman who struggled to find answers after experiencing ongoing discomfort took matters into her own hands, investing her savings to create new options for supporting vaginal health.

Catherine Slogrove, a Sydney woman who created Amelia Bio, began experiencing persistent vaginal discomfort about a decade ago.

“It really impacted both my physical health, as well as my mental health. It impacted my relationship at the time, my sense of wellbeing and my sense of confidence at work,” the 36-year-old said.

“Basically because of the stigma attached to these kinds of conditions. There’s not a lot of education about it.”

Some of the physical symptoms include discomfort, pain and “feeling like something wasn’t right”. Ms Slogrove called the experience “isolating”.

Catherine Slogrove is the entrepreneur behind Amelia Bio. Picture: Supplied

“I didn’t feel like I could talk about it, particularly going back 10 years ago. Things are a little bit more open today but we’ve still got such a long way to go,” she said.

“People still feel so much shame because we’re in the space.”

Ms Slogrove consulted multiple healthcare professionals but found that clear, straightforward information was difficult to come by. The experience motivated her to explore ways to support vaginal health and normal microflora balance.

“If you look at the data, whether it’s vaginal infections or issues with fertility — anything that may carry shame or stigma for women — basically every woman is going to have an issue at some point in her lifetime,” she said.

“Considering it’s so prevalent, yet it’s so secretive and there are so many women who are going through these things and suffering in silence.”

There are various issues that impact a woman’s vaginal health. For instance, bacterial vaginosis — which impacts a third of women around the world. It commonly causes an unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong smell, particularly after sex.

In severe cases, when left untreated, it can cause infertility, premature births and newborn deaths.

BV is usually tackled with antibiotics, either tablets or a vaginal cream, but recently there was a “landmark” Australian clinical study that has shown potential “for a revolution in how it is treated”.

It suggested the condition needs to be addressed in both partners, not just the woman, treating it as though it is an STI.

Infections such as a UTI, using antibiotics and even certain points in the menstrual cycle can all throw off a vagina’s pH levels.

Over the last three years, the entrepreneur took $300,000 of her own money to try and make a change in the vaginal health space. Ms Slogrove, alongside Dr Nada Millen from Oxford University, spoke to countless medical professionals about what was missing in the space.

She experienced severe vaginal health issues 10 years ago. Picture: Supplied

She found that many experts noted a gap in the market for products that support vaginal health alongside conventional care. She said the industry lacked non-prescription options specifically designed to support vaginal health and normal microflora balance.

The product, which launched last year, is designed to support vaginal health and microflora balance as part of a broader approach to wellbeing.

Most available options in Australia were oral probiotics, which must pass through the digestive system before reaching the vagina. Amelia Bio’s product was developed to provide a more direct approach to supporting vaginal flora.

Since its launch, the product has gained traction among healthcare-related providers, including fertility clinics, sexual health facilities, and naturopaths.

Ms Slogrove noted a shift in awareness, with more people—including male partners—becoming engaged in supporting women’s health.

“What we’re really trying to do with Amelia is bring that conversation to the forefront and make people a lot more comfortable to have those conversations,” she said.