Your body is full of colonies of harmless bacteria known as microbiota. Most of these bacteria have a positive effect on your health and contribute to your body’s natural processes. But when one of these bacterial colonies is out of balance, it can lead to dysbiosis. Dysbiosis typically occurs when the bacteria in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract — which includes your stomach and intestines — become unbalanced. Some effects of dysbiosis, such as stomach upset, are temporary and mild. In many cases, your body can correct the imbalance without treatment. But if your symptoms become more serious, you’ll need to see your doctor for diagnosis. Any interruption in the balance of microbiota can cause dysbiosis. When dysbiosis happens in your GI tract, it’s typically the result of:
a dietary change that increases your intake of protein, sugar, or food additives accidental chemical consumption, such as lingering pesticides on unwashed fruit drinking two or more alcoholic beverages per day new medications, such as antibiotics, that affect your gut flora poor dental hygiene, which allows bacteria to grow out of balance in your mouth high levels of stress or anxiety, which can weaken your immune system unprotected sex, which can expose you to harmful bacteria
Dysbiosis is also common on your skin. It can be caused by exposure to harmful bacteria or an overgrowth of a single type of bacteria. For example, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can grow out of control and lead to a staph infection. Gardnerella vaginalis bacteria can overtake healthy bacteria in the vagina and cause vaginal burning, itching, and discharge.