Dr. Sonal Pendharkar Kulkarni (Ph.D.) is a dedicated research scientist with an entrepreneurial mindset, committed to advancing women's health and wellbeing through innovative solutions. She earned her PhD in Medical Science from the prestigious Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, where her research focused on the vaginal microbiome in both Scandinavian and South African women. Through her research, Sonal has explored the impact of combining probiotics with standard & extended antimicrobial treatments for vaginal dysbiosis in highly recurrent cases, examining cure rates, prevention/delayed relapse, and engineering microbes to produce antiviral nanobodies. Currently, Sonal is channeling her extensive knowledge of the vaginal microbiome and her experience in healthcare technology and clinical trials into her work and driving the development of non-pharmacological treatments for vaginal infections at UVISA. Sonal herself has peer reviewed publications to her name and also contributes to the academic community by reviewing manuscripts pro bono, providing critical evaluations to maintain research quality leading to published articles. She has served as a scientific reviewer for PloS ONE, Frontiers in Physiology and JARG (Springer Nature).
Boric acid has become a last resort for women seeking relief from vaginal infections. Across social media and health forums, countless stories describe how using this household chemical seemed to succeed where other treatments failed, finally breaking the frustrating cycle of repeat infections. But what does the science actually say about boric acid? Is it safe? Effective? How does it work – and if it’s so promising, why isn’t it an approved treatment? Let’s unpack the evidence (and the warnings that come with it).
When choosing a contraceptive, we’re often told to think about side effects like weight changes, mood swings, or bleeding patterns. But there’s another factor that gets overlooked: your vaginal microbiome. With so many options out there and growing research into how they affect your vaginal health, making a choice can feel overwhelming. So, we’ve broken it down.
If you’ve ever had BV, thrush, or both in a frustrating cycle, you’re not alone. Vaginal infections are common and they’re rarely about hygiene or bad luck. The real story lies much deeper, in the balance of your vaginal microbiome. At the heart of it all: Lactobacilli – the protective bacteria working to keep things stable. In this article, we explore what lactobacilli actually do, what disrupts them, and how you can support them, so they can protect your vaginal health.
