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A woman’s vagina relies on a specific collection of microbes – or ‘microbiome’ – to reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV), an infection which produces a fishy-smelling discharge. In the past BV was thought to be just a nuisance - but we now know that it can increase the risk of contracting other serious infections such as HIV. Janneke Van De Wijgert, Professor of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool, UK, explains what women (and men) can do to help maintain a balanced vaginal microbiome.

(Image: Underwear, Credit: Getty Images)