By Giana Jarrah, Biomedical Engineer + Vaginal Microbiome Educator
If you’ve been stuck in the loop of back-to-back infections - especially BV or UTIs - even after taking rounds of antibiotics, let me be the first to say: you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.
Like many of you, I followed every doctor’s order - took the full course of antibiotics, drank all the water, avoided sex when I was supposed to - but somehow, the symptoms always crept back. It wasn’t until I studied biomedical engineering and dove deep into the vaginal microbiome that I finally figured out why.
Let’s break it down in a way your OB probably hasn’t.
What’s Really Going On: Biofilms
Here’s the kicker - bacteria aren’t just floating around in your vagina or bladder. They hide. Many recurrent infections are driven by something called biofilms: sticky, shield-like structures that bacteria build to protect themselves from antibiotics and your immune system.
Think of biofilms like microscopic bunkers. Antibiotics may kill the “free-floaters,” but the bacteria tucked inside these bunkers stay alive, regroup, and flare up again when the coast is clear. That’s why the same infection keeps coming back. This applies to both BV-causing bacteria like Gardnerella and UTI offenders like E. coli.
Why Antibiotics Keep Failing You
Antibiotics are like a wrecking ball - they destroy bacteria, but they don’t discriminate between the good and the bad. That includes the Lactobacillus species that protect your vaginal ecosystem.
Once the protective good bacteria are gone, your vaginal pH rises (becomes less acidic), and boom - the door’s wide open for harmful bacteria to take over.
Not to mention, without breaking down the biofilm first, antibiotics often can’t reach all the bacteria they need to.
The Role of pH + Good Bacteria
A healthy vagina has a pH between 3.8 and 4.5 - acidic enough to keep pathogens in check. Good bacteria like Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which help maintain that environment and prevent infections.
Once that balance is lost (thanks to antibiotics, stress, sex, or even diet), it takes real effort to rebuild.
Not All Probiotics Are Created Equal
If you’re grabbing any old probiotic off the shelf, it might not be doing you any favors. The strains that truly matter for vaginal and urinary health include:
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Lactobacillus crispatus
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Lactobacillus jensenii
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Lactobacillus reuteri
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Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1
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Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14
These strains have been shown to colonize the vaginal epithelium, lower pH, and disrupt biofilms. That’s what sets them apart from generic gut probiotics.
How I Finally Broke the Cycle
I hit my breaking point after years of chronic infections. No doctor could give me a clear answer, so I went to the lab (literally) and started studying the vaginal microbiome myself. I learned how to:
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Disrupt the biofilm using enzymes like serrapeptase and natural compounds like boric acid or garlic extract (always with medical guidance).
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Restore my microbiome with targeted probiotic strains—both orally and as vaginal suppositories.
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Rebuild my immune system with anti-inflammatory foods, better stress management, and supplements like vitamin D3 and zinc.
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Maintain the balance with a probiotic that works through the gut-vagina axis, which led me to formulate With Clarity, my first probiotic with With Meraki Co.
TL;DR
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Recurrent BV or UTIs often persist because of biofilms.
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Antibiotics alone usually can’t break through—they need backup.
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Restoring Lactobacillus dominance and lowering vaginal pH is key.
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You need science-backed strains (not just any probiotic).
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Healing is possible, but it takes the right tools and consistent care.
If you’re dealing with this right now, I want you to know that your body isn’t failing you - it just needs a different kind of support. And that’s what I’m here to help you understand.
Ready to get off the infection rollercoaster? Explore the science-backed approach I used and check out With Clarity.
You deserve clarity - on your symptoms, your body, and your health. Let’s get you there.
— Giana 💗