Every substance’s chemistry is acidic and basic (alkaline) on the pH scale. Different body portions, including your vagina, have unique pH levels. Vaginal pH is vital for preventing infections, having healthy pregnancies, and experiencing hormonal changes.
What is pH?
The pH scale assesses a substance’s acidity. From 0 to 14, 0 is the most acidic, 7 is neutral, and 14 is the most basic. For instance, the pH of battery acid is 0, the pH of water is 7, and the pH of drain solvent is 14.
The pH balance of various body parts is essential for digestion, infection defense, and other bodily processes. The acidity of your stomach aids in digestion and kills harmful bacteria. Other physical regions are less acidic.
What Is A Good Ph Balance For A Woman?
Vaginal pH ranges between 3.8 and 4.5, indicating that it is on the acidic side. As you age, its acidity decreases marginally, and its pH level approaches 5.
Your vagina naturally contains a variety of acid-producing, healthy microorganisms. To prevent dehydration and maintain chemical equilibrium, your vagina regularly produces fluid. This substance is acidic.
The acidity of your vagina protects it from pathogens. Harmful bacteria, parasites, and fungi are eliminated by acid.
What Causes Unbalanced Vaginal pH?
Your vaginal pH can fluctuate based on your health, lifestyle, and other factors.
1. Your menstrual cycle: The stage of your menstrual cycle, whether or not you have experienced menopause, and whether or not you are pregnant can all affect your vaginal pH level.
2. Medication: Antibiotics can increase vaginal pH by eliminating healthy and harmful bacteria. Birth control pills can also alter vaginal pH in some women, contributing to infections.
3. Doubling: Douching is a procedure for cleaning the vaginal interior. It is distinct from washing the external vaginal area with detergent and water. Typically, douching entails squirting a pre-packaged fluid mixture into the vagina using a tube or other implement. This procedure can increase vaginal pH.
4. Lubricants: Lubricants reduce vaginal irritation during sexual activity. There are lubricant products with a pH greater than 4.5. This increased pH can eliminate healthful bacteria and cause an infection.
Symptoms Of Unbalanced Vaginal pH
Vaginal pH imbalance is associated with bacterial infections and other health problems. Even if the imbalance is asymptomatic, your vaginal pH may be out of whack if you’re experiencing typical signs of disease. Included among these symptoms are:
- The fishy solid odor emanating from your vagina
- A vaginal discharge that is grey, green, or frothy
- I am itching in the vaginal region.
- Inflammation and swelling around the genitalia
- I am experiencing vaginal pain or a burning sensation during intercourse.
- The sensation of burning while discharging
These are the signs of prevalent infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and yeast infections. The majority of these infections fell under the umbrella term vaginitis. Vaginitis refers to any inflammation or irritation of the vagina and its environs.
How To Maintain Vaginal pH Balance?
It can take Simple measures to maintain a healthy vaginal pH level and prevent infections.
1. Use condoms during sex: The penis, like the vagina, has its flora. These bacteria can cause infections if they contact the vaginal environment during unprotected sexual activity. Using a condom prevents bacteria and other pathogens on the penis from entering the vaginal area.
2. Avoid douching: Instead, wash the area surrounding your vagina with detergent and water.
3. Change your diet: Many varieties of yogurts load with the same vaginal flora. Avoiding sugary, industrialized foods like white bread and rice can prevent yeast infections.
Wear suitable clothing: Tight garments can restrict airflow to the vagina, resulting in vaginitis. Put on cotton underwear, trousers with a looser fit, and tights with a cotton patch around the vaginal area.
What To Do If Your Vaginal pH Is Unbalanced?
A vaginal pH imbalance caused by an infection can result in a more severe illness. Vaginitis increases the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if left untreated.
If you have symptoms of an imbalanced vaginal pH:
1. Take a pH test: You can purchase a kit to test your vaginal pH at home. These products include special paper to insert into the vagina for a brief period and a color chart—the color of the paper changes based on your vaginal pH. Different pH ranges produce distinct colorations.
The test cannot identify the specific infection you may be suffering from. Even if you don’t have an infection, your vaginal pH can change.
2. Talk to your doctor: Doctors can diagnose infections related to vaginal pH. They will ask for your medical history and symptoms and conduct a vaginal exam. Your physician can prescribe antibiotics and other remedies to alleviate your symptoms.
Thank you for reading….
