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Have you ever wondered what’s going on down there in your vaginal area? Well, a big part of your vaginal health has to do with something called vaginal pH. Think of pH like this: it’s a way to measure how acidic or alkaline things are.
For your vagina, having the right vaginal pH level of acid is super important.
When your normal vaginal pH is just right, it means everything is likely in a balance. But, if that balance tips, it can sometimes be a sign that something’s not quite right.
So, what exactly is this normal vaginal pH level we’re talking about? And why does it matter so much for vaginal health? Let’s take a closer look at the vaginal environment.
Key takeaways
- Normal vaginal pH levels in women of reproductive age is moderately acidic (pH 3.8-5), which helps keep harmful bacteria away.
- The acidic environment is maintained by the vaginal flora.
- This acidity is mainly due to healthy bacteria called Lactobacillus, which produce lactic acid. These bacteria are a key part of the vaginal microbiome.
- The acidity of your vaginal pH works as a natural defense system to keep you healthy and prevent bacterial growth.
- Vaginal pH is higher (less acidic) in pre-pubescent girls and post-menopausal women, due to decreased estrogen levels.
- A healthy vaginal pH level is important for preventing infections and may even play a role in fertility and preventing preterm birth.
- Many things can cause your pH balance to be off, leading to an unbalanced vaginal pH including your menstrual cycle, being pregnant, and more.
- Symptoms of unbalanced vaginal pH levels can include changes in vaginal odor, abnormal vaginal dicharge, itching, and more.
- You can support a healthy normal vagina by doing things like wearing cotton underwear, using condoms, and taking probiotics.
- Changes in vaginal pH don’t always mean there’s an infection. But it’s important to pay attention to symptoms. Consider vaginal pH tests if you’re concerned.
What Is considered normal vaginal pH?
For women of reproductive age, a normal vaginal pH is usually a bit on the acidic side. This looks like a range between 3.8 and 5. This pH value indicates a healthy vaginal environment.
You might be thinking, “Why does it need to be acidic?”
Well, that mild acidity is a sign of a healthy vaginal environment. This helps prevent bacterial growth and kills harmful bacteria from growing too much and causing infection.
What makes the vagina acidic?
The acidity of the vagina is rooted in the tiny healthy bacteria that live in the vagina: Lactobacillus. These little bacteria are a key component of the vaginal microbiota. They’re the main reason why the pH level of the vagina is naturally acidic.
Here’s how it works:
Glycogen, a type of sugar, is produced in the lining of your vaginal tissue under the influence of estrogen. This glycogen is like food for the Lactobacillus bacteria.
When Lactobacillus metabolizes glycogen, a byproduct called lactic acid is formed. It’s this lactic acid that makes the normal vaginal pH acidic.
Think of it like your body’s natural defense system, built to maintain a healthy vaginal pH balance.
Now things are different for girls who haven’t gone through puberty yet. And also for women who have gone through menopause. In these populations, there isn’t as much estrogen in the body.
So, the normal vaginal pH level for pre-pubescent girls and post-menopausal women is usually higher. It’s between 6 and 7.5. This shows how vaginal pH levels can change at different stages of life.
Why is a normal vaginal pH important?
Having a healthy vaginal environment with the right pH is important to overall vaginal health.
1. It keeps bad germs away
The acidic environment acts like a natural shield. It makes it harder for harmful bacteria and yeast to grow too much and cause infections.
2. It helps with getting pregnant
Studies have shown that when there aren’t enough helpful Lactobacillus bacteria, it can make it harder to get pregnant. This is even more true in the case of treatments like IVF.
It’s also been linked to early pregnancy loss and preterm birth.
So, keeping your vaginal pH level in check is important for overall vaginal health and disease control.
What factors can affect your vaginal pH?
Lots of things can throw your pH balance off. It’s not always a sign of a serious problem, but it’s good to be aware of what can cause changes in the vaginal environment.
Monthly cycle
During your period, your vaginal pH can go up a bit because blood is more alkaline.
Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, your body makes more estrogen. As we talked about earlier, estrogen affects your vaginal pH levels. So, when you have more estrogen in your body, your vaginal pH will be more acidic.
Breastfeeding
When you’re breastfeeding, things look different. Breastfeeding lowers estrogen levels. And this can make the vaginal pH more alkaline.
Unprotected sex
Semen is more alkaline, with a pH value of around 8. So, when you have sexual intercourse without protection, semen can change the vaginal PH for about 10-14 hours.
Know more: Can You Get a UTI From Sex? Let’s Talk About It
Antibiotics
While taking antibiotics is great for fighting off bacterial infections, they can also kill good bacteria.
This can lead to shifts in your vaginal pH and potentially an abnormal microbiota.
Know more: Can Antibiotics Make Your Period Late? Know the Truth
Washing with harsh soaps
Using soaps or washes that aren’t made for your vaginal area can affect the delicate mucosa and throw your pH balance off. This is also true for soaps that have fragrances and other unnatural ingredients in them.
Douching
Here’s a quick refresh on douching. It’s the process of cleaning your vaginal canal with water or other liquids. It may sound like the right thing to do, but studies show that douching can actually be harmful.
Your vagina is naturally designed to clean itself. And douching can get rid of the good bacteria and make you more likely to get infections, including bacterial vaginosis.
Douching has even been linked to more serious problems like:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
(BV) - Problems during pregnancy, like preterm birth
How do you know if your vaginal pH is off?
Sometimes, when your vaginal pH is off, your body will send you signals. These can come in the form of symptoms of unbalanced vaginal pH levels. Here’s what that may include.
1. Changes in vaginal odor
It’s completely normal for the vagina to have a slight odor. And it’s also normal for that to change a bit during your menstrual cycle. It might smell sweet, sour, or even metallic.
But a sudden or strong change in vaginal odor could be a sign of a problem.
For example, a fishy odor might be trichomoniasis. A rotten smell could even be a sign of something like a forgotten tampon.
Cause | Odor |
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) | Fishy odor |
Trichomoniasis | Very strong fishy odor |
Foreign body (like a forgotten tampon) | Rotten smell |
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) | Foul-smelling |
2. Changes in vaginal discharge
The amount and color of your discharge can change throughout your cycle because of varying estrogen levels.
Usually, it’s shades of white or maybe pinkish or brownish around ovulation or at the start or end of your period.
But if you see a discharge that’s a different color, it could be a sign of pH imbalance. In the case of bacterial vaginosis, the color may be grey.
An imbalance could also cause your discharge to be a different texture. If you experience yeast infections, the texture will be thick and white like cottage cheese.
3. Vaginal itching, irritation, or burning
These uncomfortable feelings in or around your vaginal area can also be symptoms of unbalanced vaginal pH levels or an infection.
4. Burning when you pee or during sexual intercourse
This can also be a sign that something is irritating your vagina. It could be related to a urinary tract or vaginal infection.
There are even some over-the-counter vaginal pH tests you can buy to check your vaginal pH. Those tests can’t tell you exactly what kind of infection you have. But the results can give you a clue about what might be going on.
It’s important to remember that just because your pH is a little off doesn’t always mean you have an infection. Sometimes, changes in vaginal pH don’t need any treatment on their own.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms along with other tests and a physical exam to figure out what’s really happening. Your medical history will also be important.
Here’s a look at what different pH levels and symptoms might mean.
pH | Other symptoms | |
>4.5 |
| Bacterial vaginosis |
5-6 |
| Trichomoniasis |
4 |
| Yeast (candida) |
How do you keep a healthy, normal vaginal pH?
Here are some natural remedies to restore vaginal pH balance and keep your healthy normal vagina in good shape.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose clothes: Clothes made from silk, lace, or satin can trap heat and moisture, which creates the ideal environment for bacteria. Cotton is breathable, and the best fabric to go with.
- Wash the outside of your vagina gently: Use warm water and a mild soap that won’t mess with your vaginal pH to wash your vulva. You don’t need to wash inside — your body naturally takes care of that.
- Skip the douching: Because your vagina cleans itself, you don’t need to douche. Douching can do more harm than good. It may get rid of the good bacteria that help maintain a healthy vaginal flora and pH balance.
- Avoid strong-scented products: Stay away from soaps, lotions, and sprays that have strong scents. These can throw the delicate pH balance off and irritate the vaginal epithelium.
- Use condoms: Condoms help protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like trichomoniasis.
- Consider probiotic supplements: Some people find that probiotics can help promote a healthy pH. This is because they contain good bacteria like Lactobacillus, supporting a healthy vaginal microbiome.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking adequate amounts of water is important for overall health. Plus, it can also help keep things balanced in your body and aid with fertility.
- Track your symptoms: You can keep tabs on your symptoms on the Inito app, which syncs with the Inito Fertility Monitor. Logging your symptoms can help you spot any unusual signs of imbalanced vaginal pH and figure out if something is off.
FAQs
Several things can throw off your vaginal pH balance, including:
- Menstrual period
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeding
- Unprotected sex (semen is alkaline)
- Antibiotics
- Alkaline feminine products
- Douching
- Infections such as bacterial infections, yeast infections, and other vaginal infections like group b streptococcus
You can test your vaginal pH using over-the-counter vaginal pH tests. These tests usually involve placing a test strip in contact with vaginal fluid and then comparing its color to a chart to see the pH level.
Symptoms of an off-balance vaginal pH can include:
- Change in vaginal odor
- Changes in vaginal discharge (color or texture)/abnormal vaginal discharge
- Vaginal itching
- Irritation
- Burning during urination or sex
The best way to address an off-balance vaginal pH depends on the cause.
Sometimes, the vaginal pH balanve will return to normal on its own. If an infection like bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection is the cause, you’ll likely need prescription or over-the-counter medication.
You can support a healthy pH by:
- Practicing good hygiene (gentle washing, avoiding harsh products, and douching)
- Wearing cotton underwear
- Using probiotics
Make sure to consult a healthcare provider if you think you may have an infection. They can perform a clinical diagnosis based on your medical history.
Yes. Semen is alkaline (pH around 8) and can temporarily raise the vaginal pH after unprotected sex.
This change can last for 10-14 hours and may sometimes lead to bacterial growth.
The best way to prevent semen from temporarily altering the vaginal pH is to use condoms during sex.
You also want to pee immediately after sex and wash your vulvar area with water.
It’s unlikely for your vaginal pH to completely rebalance overnight. This is especially true if the imbalance is due to an infection or underlying issue. These require addressing the root cause with the right treatment and allowing your body time to re-adjust.
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