Vaginal Health Is Still an Afterthought in Medicine. That Needs to Change

Newsweek

20 hours ago

Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
If you have ever left a doctor's office with more questions than answers about your vaginal health, you are not alone. For years, I cycled through urgent care clinics, emergency rooms, and OB-GYN visits, searching for answers to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). I was prescribed antibiotic after antibiotic. The infections returned. I eventually became resistant to three commonly used drugs. When I asked why, I was met with vague responses. Vaginal health has never been a priority in mainstream medicine.
This experience is not rare. Vaginal and urinary conditions are among the most common health concerns for people with female anatomy. Yet the standard response remains hygiene tips and more antibiotics. Many patients are questioned about cleanliness but receive little explanation about underlying causes. The role of the vaginal microbiome is often ignored.
A stethoscope and decorative red heart on white doctor's overall are pictured.
A stethoscope and decorative red heart on white doctor's overall are pictured.
Getty Images
This microbiome depends on protective bacteria, especially lactobacilli, which maintain an acidic environment that prevents infections. Antibiotics, though sometimes necessary, often wipe out these bacteria. That creates conditions for recurrence.
The gut also plays a central role. Studies have shown that individuals with frequent UTIs often have gut dysbiosis, a microbial imbalance that weakens the body's ability to manage uropathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. The gut acts as a reservoir. Standard antibiotic treatments do not address this connection and often make it worse. Disrupting the gut and vaginal microbiomes can lead to ongoing UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections.
This cycle led me to do my own research. Using my background in biomedical engineering and microbiology, I designed an experiment using pH indicator dyes and live probiotic cultures. I saw consistent shifts toward a healthier, more acidic environment. These results confirmed what I had read in the literature. I decided to create the tools I could not find elsewhere.
That decision led to the founding of With Meraki Co., a wellness company grounded in science and focused on vaginal and reproductive health. We understand that recurring infections and imbalances often reflect larger issues like gut dysbiosis, hormone shifts, antibiotic overuse, or immune dysfunction. Our products are designed to address these causes at the source.
We currently offer two probiotic supplements: With Clarity and With Harmony. Both are built on a shared blend of probiotic strains and prebiotic fibers, formulated to restore microbial balance in the gut and vagina. With Clarity supports urinary tract health. With Harmony supports hormonal balance, stress response, and mood regulation. Each product targets different needs but works from the same biological foundation.
With Meraki Co. is not just a supplement brand. It is a response to the neglect of vaginal health in both medicine and culture. We focus on research, education, and long-term care. We do not rely on scare tactics or cosmetic messaging.
Vaginal health must be treated as health care. People deserve access to credible information, effective tools, and products backed by science. I started With Meraki Co. because I saw too many people facing the same issues I went through. If the system is not working, we have a responsibility to build something better.
Giana Jarrah is a biomedical engineer and founder of With Meraki Co.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.