Now, pH stands for "potential of hydrogen," but let's call it the "Party Hostess" because it's all about maintaining the right balance for a happening bash in your vagina.
The ideal pH range is like the VIP section – around 3.8 to 4.5, keeping things slightly acidic.
Why, you ask? Well, that acidic environment is like the velvet rope, keeping unwanted intruders (we're looking at you, pesky bacteria and yeast) from crashing the party. It's the VIP treatment for your vaginal health, ensuring everything stays balanced and groovy.
So, next time you think about vaginal pH, imagine your own personal nightclub with the Party Hostess ensuring that only the A-listers are on the guest list. pH balance: the key to a rockin' good time for your intimate ecosystem!
Learn about Vaginal pH with the Party Hostesses Guide to keeping it balanced!
Let's get Nerdy!.....
Vaginal pH and vaginal health
pH is the term used to describe how acidic or alkaline a fluid is. It is measured on a scale between 1-14. The lower the number, the more acidic and the higher the number, the more alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral – tap water is close to neutral.
Why Is pH Important For Vaginal Health?
The good bacteria in your vagina produce a mild acid called Lactic acid. The ideal vaginal microbiome has a majority of just four different species of good bacteria which make lactic acid and a range of other anti-microbial compounds. A slightly acidic vagina means that the most harmful bacteria have a hard time surviving. Keeping those harmful bacteria at bay is not only important for general hygiene and comfort but also to helps avoid vaginal infection and diseases.
A vaginal pH level above 4.5 is an indicator that something may be wrong - the most common consequence of a high pH is an abnormal vaginal discharge usually caused by Bacterial Vaginosis. Some vaginal infections can even make you more susceptible to other STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea and may affect your fertility.
The easiest way to find out if your vaginal pH is in balance is by using a simple at-home pH test. This will tell you what your pH is, and will explain what the results mean. A pH of below 4.5 is what you are after.
5 Things That Can Change Your Vaginal PH
There are many factors that can affect your vaginal pH balance – but don’t worry! There are also steps you can take to minimise those effects.
- Douching: Some women might feel that they need to clean inside their vaginas with water or cleansers, this is not necessary because your vagina cleans itself. Even plain water has a pH of 7 – far above the acidic ideal we want – and fragrances used in some douches can irritate your vagina. Washing the external part of your vagina (the vulva) is all that’s necessary. If you notice a strong or unpleasant vaginal odour, take a pH test to see if it is off balance. You could have a vaginal infection.
- Intercourse: The pH of semen is between 7.1 and 8, so introducing it into your vagina can trigger a change in your balance. If you experience irritation after sex, try using condoms to avoid upsetting the balance.
- Menstruation: Blood has a pH of 7.4, so during your period your vaginal pH is elevated. Most women’s bodies can handle the difference, but some find that they are prone to infection during or after menstruation. Pay close attention to your vaginal discharge around this time for any sudden changes and if you use a cleanser – at any point in your cycle – be sure that it is pH balanced and gentle enough to help you maintain a healthy and comfortable vagina. If you are susceptible to infections around your period, try taking some appropriate women specific bacterial supplements to help support your vaginal microbiome over this time.
- Menopause: Our hormones, especially oestrogen, play a large part in keeping our vaginas healthy and our vaginal pH acidic. When women start menopause, oestrogen levels are reduced, often resulting in conditions like vaginal atrophy - dryness, discomfort and increased infections and a higher pH. If you’re going through menopause, talk to your doctor about solutions to maintain your oestrogen levels. They can suggest treatments or prescribe creams to keep your vagina healthy. You can learn more here about the Vagina in Menopause.
What can you do to maintain the right vaginal pH?
We’ve talked about things that change your pH for the worse, but what can you do to maintain a good vaginal pH? The main factor determining whether you will have a pH level in the ideal range is if you have a healthy vaginal microbiome, so you need to do things that will not upset that. There is good evidence that supplementing your vaginal microbiome with the correct species and strains of Lactobacillus will support your vaginal microbiome.
A healthy microbiome will maintain your pH in the ideal range. We know that the ideal vaginal microbiome population should be mostly made up of one or more of three different Lactobacillus species:
- L.crispatus
- L.gasseri
- L.jensenii
If you are keen to try to support your vaginal microbiome with the ideal Lactobacilli then Perfect V contains the right species and strains and has been specifically developed for women. It is backed by research to prove that it reaches the vagina.
