A thinner vaginal epithelium is also associated with a significant reduction of glycogen which translates into a lower amount of lactobacilli causing an increase in vaginal pH (between 5.0 and 7.5). The subsequent decrease of vaginal hydrogen peroxide allows the growth of other pathogenic bacteria (staphylococci, group B streptococci, and coliforms) causing atrophic vaginitis, vaginal discharge and odor. Indeed, lactobacilli diversity and abundance significantly decreased following menopause