Understanding Vaginal pH

A woman’s pH balance and a healthy vagina goes hand in hand. You just can’t have one without the other. Maintaining your pH balance is essential to keeping your vagina healthy

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. The vagina is considered to be in its neutral state when the pH level is at 7. When the pH level is below 7 the vagina is considered acidic. When the pH level is above 7 it is considered basic. A normal vaginal pH is acidic, between 3.8 and 4.5, but there are normal body changes that can cause levels to vary. These changes are menstruation and menopause. During these stages a healthy pH can be higher than 4.5.

It is important to know that when the vagina is in the acidic range it is protected. The acid prevents unhealthy bacteria and yeast from multiplying and causing infection. Levels higher than 4.5 creates a perfect environment for unhealthy bacteria to grow.

What causes a high pH?

• Antibiotics - Believe it or not, the antibiotics that we are prescribed to treat an infection can actually cause more harm. Antibiotics kill bad bacteria, but they also kill the good bacteria that we need to maintain a healthy, acidic vaginal pH level.

• Douching – I know you’ve heard this one before, douching is not good. It may seem great to get a little vinegar and water cleanse from time to time but these are unnatural ingredients and they only increase the pH level and promote the growth of harmful bacteria.

• Sex – Yes honey! That ‘good dick’ may be messing up that pH. Semen is naturally basic so if you have unprotected sex and semen is released into the vagina this can also cause the growth of bad bacteria.

• Menstruation – It is just so awful that this mandatory body process can actually cause us ladies some problems. As if cramping and bleeding wasn’t enough. Blood is basic and can raise the pH level. There is even more of an effect to the pH level if you are using a tampon. This is because the blood is absorbed into the tampon and it just sits there until you remove it. Meanwhile it’s doing its damage and bad bacteria is multiplying.

• Bacterial Vaginosis - Unfortunately for many women, this is a medical condition that can be very annoying. It occurs because the vagina has too much bacteria. Unfortunately, BV can be a recurrent condition and is normally accompanied by some or all of the following symptoms; odor, itching, pain in the vagina, white/greyish discharge, and burning with urination.

• Menopause – This is life; a stage that we all will go through at some point. For those of you that are going through this stage it can raise your pH levels.

What should I do if I suspect my pH is off?

Your health and safety are priority so we suggest to test right away. The good thing about this is that you have options. There are home tests that you can do in the privacy of your own home or you can see a doctor. However, it is important that you understand that pH tests do not test for STDs and STIs.

What are the home tests? Can I do the test by myself?

Absolutely! It is very simple. In fact, many women opt to doing the tests at home and then using their home remedies that they have proven to work. At home remedies are only suggested for those who may have recurrent issues and are well aware of the diagnosis. For instance, we have many women that have yeast infections or BV after sex or menstruation. These women opt to use our Yoni Pearls or boric acid suppositories when this occurs. For women who are experiencing symptoms for the first time and you test, we suggest following up with a medical professional to get a proper diagnosis.

 

 

Now back to testing at home. Our at home kits are very easy to use.

Using the cotton swab supplied in the kit, gently collect a small amount of fluid from the vagina and apply it onto the test strip. After 30 seconds compare the color of pH Test strip with the color on the test chart to determine your pH level. That’s it!

 

 

Remember, this test is only to determine your pH level so you can determine if you need to go to a doctor who can better diagnose the situation.

What can I do to keep my pH level balanced?

Our pH shifts can definitely be prevented so we can maintain healthy vaginas. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure your pearl stays on point.

• Have Protected Sex
• Refrain from douching
• Take a daily Probiotic
• Eat healthier
• Eat Yogurt
• Schedule regular doctor appointments

To sum it all up, testing and taking a proactive approach to balancing your vaginal pH is beneficial to your feminine health. When you make your pearl a priority it will be a good step towards preventing infections. It does not take much. Prevention is always better than cure.

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