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November 7, 2023

Like many people, I grew up learning that my vagina was self-sufficient. I don’t use scented products in hopes of making it smell like roses, and I avoid gynecologist no-gos, like douches.

But as interest in vulva care continues to expand, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a way to also support my vaginal health. After all, I actively look for ways to promote a healthy gut and skin microbiome—shouldn’t I be doing the same for my vaginal microbiome?

My piqued interest aligned well with a chance to test out Bonafide’s Clairvee, a probiotic that helps to maintain a balanced vaginal microbiome.* After two months of taking Clairvee, I’m happy to say this tiny little capsule has changed the way I think about my own vaginal health.

Your vaginal microbiome is composed of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and eukaryotes, which work together to maintain a balanced pH between 4 to 4.5. This optimal pH won’t allow the growth of unwanted bacteria.

If you have a suboptimal vaginal microbial mix, there could be an imbalance of bad vs. good bacteria (more of the bad guys), leading to unusual discharge, odors, or even irritation.

Taking a vitamin for vaginal health, like Clarivee, could help restore vaginal microbiome balance.*

As someone who has historically struggled to stay on my supplement routine, I love that you only need to take Clarivee 15 consecutive days each month. Life gets busy—and I love that there’s flexibility to take Clairvee in a way that fits into my schedule.

And don’t worry: The supplement is still supporting your vaginal microbiome all month long.*

What’s more, this supplement is so easy to take. It’s much smaller than a typical multivitamin and easy to swallow. Clairvee also doesn’t leave behind any lingering flavors, like a few other supplements in my routine.

Real estate is hard to come by in my fridge, so I lean away from any supplements that take up valuable shelf space. Clarivee passes this test.

Although it’s a probiotic, Clairvee is made with a dual-capsule technology. This means the probiotic formula is suspended in liquid folic acid and then sealed into a second capsule.

Beyond looking like a modern science experiment, this tech serves a bigger purpose. It slows down the release of the probiotics into your system, so your body can actually make the most of the ingested ingredients. It also means there’s no refrigeration necessary.

The brand conducted an open clinical study in which 95% of women experienced a reduction in odor after one month.†

While I love that Bonafide tests its formulas, I think it’s worth noting the study was not peer-reviewed. What’s more, these studies were completed with people who have moderate-to-more serious vaginal odor concerns.

Plus, it’s important to remember that vaginal odor is totally normal and can be impacted by so many things—sex, menstruation, hot weather, and even diet.

As someone who cycle tracks to prevent pregnancy, I’m in tune with my body’s natural ebbs and flows. I know how different parts of my menstrual cycle impact odors and discharge—and I know when something is not quite right with my vagina.

When I started taking Clairvee, I wasn’t worried that my vaginal microbiome was all out of whack. Instead it felt like a safeguard against the moments when my vagina was struggling to keep things balanced (which eventually happens to every woman).*

Did I notice any changes? Surprisingly, yes. I typically have some discomfort right after my menstrual cycle as my body works to restore balance, but I was generally comfortable through all stages of my cycle when taking Clarivee.*

I also noticed a slight reduction in odor; I have an incredibly sensitive nose and feel like I can pick up on even the faintest odors. While I’ve never considered myself unnaturally smelly—again, every vagina has an odor—I will say my scent felt less strong.*

One time when my scent didn’t change at all? After a super sweaty workout—but what can you really expect?

Pros

• Provides strain-specific info
• Methylated folate (bioactive)
• Dual-cap technology for viability

Cons

• Expensive monthly cost without subscription
• Cheap, plastic packaging
• Contains dairy allergen (milk)