What is all this talk about the pH level of a Vagina? Who would have ever thought that this was even a thing! How do we figure out what the pH level is and how it impacts us? This very important question helps to determine whether your vaginal is healthy or not.
Before we get into the details of a healthy vaginal pH, let’s understand what this means in the first place.
“pH” is a scale ranging from 0 to 14 that determines how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH below 7 is considered acidic and above 7 is basic, 7 being neutral (i.e. neither acid nor base).
Now coming to the vaginal pH – a healthy vagina is moderately acidic in nature with the pH ranging between 3.8 and 4.5.
The pH can, however, differ based on your age and stage of life.
This range of 3.8 to 4.5 is the ideal pH for women between the ages of 15 to 49 (which is majorly during the reproductive ears of a woman. However, for women who have hit menopause and girls who have not started menstruating yet, their healthy pH may be above 4.5.
Why does maintaining a healthy pH matter?
It is extremely important to maintain a healthy vaginal pH because if not kept in the healthy acidic range, bacteria and yeast can multiply quickly and cause infections in your vagina.
An acidic vaginal pH is a protective environment to prevent bacterial growth. Crossing over a 4.5 pH will make your vagina alkaline, which will create the perfect environment for this bacteria to grow and cause irritation and problems down there.
On the other hand, even though an acidic vaginal pH will not cause diseases as a result of bacterial growth, it can decrease fertility, as sperm require an alkaline environment to thrive. Sperm require a pH of somewhere between 7 and 8.5 to swim and reach the egg to fertilize it. In fact, during sex, in order to protect the sperm and help them reach the egg, the vaginal pH temporarily rises to make it more alkaline instead of the usual acidic environment.
What problems can this cause?
A pH above 4.5 can make you vulnerable to the following problems:
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) - This is a condition caused due to bacterial overgrowth. Symptoms include a “fishy odour” along with a grey, white or yellow discharge; itchiness in the vagina and a burning sensation during urination. BV is not a major health risk in itself, however, it can make you more vulnerable to serious infections like HPV, herpes and HIV.
- Trichomoniasis (Trich) - Trich is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) caused by the virus called Trichomoniasis Vaginalis. Most people with this condition don’t experience any symptoms, however, it should not be taken lightly because it can increase the risk of more serious STDs like HIV.
What are the symptoms of an unbalanced vaginal pH?
An alkaline vaginal pH (above 4.5) which leads to bacterial growth may cause the following symptoms:
- a “fishy” or foul smell from your vagina
- vaginal itching
- burning during urination
- a white, yellowish-green or grey discharge
What are the causes of an unbalanced pH?
The following reason can lead to an alkaline pH level:
- Unprotected sex - Semen is alkaline in nature so it can cause your vaginal pH to rise above 4.5, leading to bacterial growth
- Over-washing your vagina - Make sure to not over-wash your vagina by douching it or using soap to clean the inside. This can disturb your natural pH balance and encourage the growth of bacteria. A vagina is self-cleaning – so don’t overdo it!
- Menstrual blood - During your periods, your vaginal pH may rise because the menstrual blood is a little alkaline. When you use tampons especially, this absorbed blood stays put in the vaginal canal for hours and this can cause the pH to rise and encourage bacterial infections. This is the reason why you are vulnerable to TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) with the use of tampons.
- Strong antibiotics - Antibiotics kill bacteria. However, they don’t make a distinction between good bacteria and bad bacteria. This good bacteria helps the vagina maintain a healthy acidic vaginal pH.
How to maintain a healthy vaginal pH level
A few simple tips can help you maintain a healthy vaginal pH
- Eat yogurt - Yogurt is a source of good bacteria that your body needs. This bacteria is called lactobacillus. Not only that but yogurt is also a great source of vitamin D and calcium.
- Don’t over-clean your vagina - Cleaning your vagina with soap or douching can cause the pH level of your vagina to rise. Remember that the vagina is self-cleaning.
- Probiotics - Like yogurt, probiotics can help you restore the balance of good bacteria in your body that can help maintain your vaginal pH in the ideal range.
- Go for regular check-ups - Make sure to see your Gynaecologist regularly so that you can rule out any infections that would otherwise, go undetected.
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