Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
What is pH Balance?
According to Women’s Health Arizona, “your vaginal pH refers to the acidity of the vagina and can be affected by common factors like unprotected sex, pregnancy, your menstrual period, improper vaginal care, and menopause.” The normal pH level of the vagina is between 3.8 and 5. Infections and douching are some of the factors that can throw this pH off balance. When the numbers are higher or lower than the median scale, this typically signals that the balance of good and bad bacteria in your vagina is off. As a result, you will experience an excess of bad bacteria or yeast in your body which can cause “irritation, odors, and even conditions like bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection.”
Why Does pH Balance Matter?
Maintaining the pH balance in the vagina is critical to its health. Doctors can test for pH balance, but it is also possible to take tests at home. High pH can cause serious infections because it allows bad bacteria and yeast to thrive.
What Causes Unbalanced pH?
Several conditions, infections, and medication can throw off your pH balance. Some examples include:
Bacterial vaginosis: According to MedicalNewsToday, “Bacterial vaginosis is a medical condition that occurs when too much bacteria is present. A person with bacterial vaginosis may experience itching, burning, or pain in the vagina. They may also feel a burning sensation when urinating and notice a white or gray discharge.”
Douching: If you are washing your vagina with substances that contain vinegar or baking soda, you are likely throwing off your pH balance. Even though these products claim to reduce vaginal odor, they are likely worsening the smell as a result of removing critical healthy bacteria from the area.
Menopause: Put simply, the onset of menopause may increase your pH levels naturally. It has been found that postmenopausal women may have slightly heightening pH levels than those still within a reproductive age range. This is likely caused by reduced estrogen levels.
Menstruation: According to MedicalNewsToday, “blood has a higher pH level than the vaginal environment. The presence of blood in the vagina can naturally increase your pH levels during menstruation so it is critical to keep the area clean.”
Antibiotics: Although antibiotics typically kill harmful bacteria, it can also attack healthy bacteria in the vagina. If you experience sudden pain, itching or burning while taking antibiotics, this could be the reason.
Signs and Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is time to call your doctor. Your vaginal pH levels might be off if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Burning sensations or vaginal irritation during intercourse.
- Strong or unpleasant smells.
- Any discomfort that is out of the ordinary.
- Grayish, green, or white discharge that is excessive or uncommon.
Maintaining pH Balance
You can actively prevent your pH balance from being thrown off most of the time. Vaginal douching is one of the most common ways people throw off their pH balance. Because this process has such a high-risk for increasing bad bacteria, most medical professionals advise against it completely. Other helpful tips include:
- Avoiding scented or harsh soaps. Especially ones with cologne that are marketed towards men.
- Utilizing barriers and protection during sex. Semen can increase pH levels within the vagina. By having protected sex, you are not only protecting your body from STIs, but also from potentially harmful bacteria for the vagina.
- Changing tampons regularly. In an ideal scenario, you will be able to change your tampon every four to eight hours at minimum. This not only prevents the possible pH imbalance, but it can also prevent toxic shock syndrome.
In summary, keeping your vaginal pH in balance is critical to your vaginal health. If you notice any changes within your vagina that are causing discomfort or other issues, seek medical advice immediately.
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