What Affects Vaginal pH and How Do You Restore It

Guide to restoring your vaginal pH level. Having a healthy vaginal pH level is mandatory for a good health condition, but what’s there left to do when the pH levels are off the hook? There is, of course, the vaginal suppository! But before we get to a severe condition that requires the use of medication, there are some things we can do to prevent the rise or fall of the vaginal pH level.

‚Why is that so important?’, you might ask. Well, the vagina has an inner mucus lining that protects it from harmful bacteria and yeast overgrowth. When the pH level is off the hook, the mucus is affected, and you become prone to getting infections, either bacterial infections or yeast infections.

There are a lot of external factors that can affect the pH level. Usually, your vagina has a pH level ranging from 3.5 to 4.5, making it a slightly acidic environment. The pH 7 corresponds to a neutral environment. Any value more significant than that means that the environment is alkaline, and a value ranging from 0-6.9 means that the environment is acidic.

The vagina is slightly acidic because it has to be a hostile environment that does not allow harmful bacteria to grow and develop. In the vaginal flora, there are good bacteria like lactobacillus that thrive when the pH levels are normal.

Lactobacillus is responsible for producing lactic acid, which keeps harmful bacteria and yeasts from overgrowing. That’s the reason why you need to keep your vaginal pH balanced.

If your vaginal pH levels become unhealthy, you might be prone to developing some medical conditions such as yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. Thus, these conditions are not technically sexually transmitted diseases. The studies have shown that an increased number of sexual partners increases the chances of developing them. For women who want to take a proactive approach to better understand and maintain their vaginal health, Evvy offers innovative at-home vaginal microbiome tests. These tests provide insights into your unique vaginal environment and help guide personalized solutions to keep your pH levels balanced and reduce the risk of infections.

Although their symptoms are somewhat different, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis do share some characteristics:

• These two medical conditions are the most common ones that affect women. Up to 60% of women worldwide have experienced one of them at least once in the last year.
• Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection are the results of a vaginal pH imbalance. When the number of good bacteria drops, the chemical imbalance makes you prone to developing one of these conditions.
• Some of their symptoms might be similar, such as discomfort, itchiness, and an abnormal amount of vaginal discharge, although the consistency, color, and odor are different. 

Yeast infection is usually easier to treat than bacterial vaginosis. BV requires the use of antibiotics, which can cause an even more significant imbalance because they kill both harmful and good bacteria, too. You should always schedule an appointment with your health care provider before taking any medication for your condition. 

What is the pH exactly? It stands for ‘potential hydrogen,’ and it is an indicator that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid environment. Water has a pH indicator of 7, which is neutral. 

The body has different acidity levels, according to the purpose of the system that is measured. 

For example, the stomach is highly acidic since it needs to dissolve food, while semen is more alkaline. How can we make sure that the pH level of the vagina is the right one?

You can get pH strips at any drug store, but your pH level is probably acceptable if you are not experiencing any of the symptoms. These strips have a color map included, and when coming in contact with the vagina’s wall, they change color according to the pH level.

Factors such as your menstrual cycle or even your diet can temporarily affect your pH levels, so keep that in mind while using a pH strip to measure it. If you are worried about experiencing a medical condition, it is best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. In cases where a yeast infection is diagnosed, treatment options like a yeast infection prescription pill provide access to clinician-prescribed antifungal medication through an online consultation, offering a convenient and discreet alternative to in-person visits.

The symptoms that hint at a severe condition are the following:

• Changes in the amount, odor, or color when it comes to vaginal discharge
• Itching
• Burning pain during urinating or intercourse

Any of these symptoms can hint at bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. If you experience them or have any questions about them, you should consult a doctor. They will run some samples or blood tests, and afterward, they will decide what type of medication you should follow.

In rare cases, some of the medical conditions you might be experiencing are caused by parasites, such as trichomonas vaginal, which causes trichomoniasis. Unlike yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease, and it can be hazardous for both partners if left untreated. Its symptoms are similar to the ones caused by BV or yeast infections: discharge, burning pain when urinating, and a specific odor. That’s the reason why it is essential to go to the doctor when you’re noticing those changes.

Alongside using boric acid suppositories, make sure that no other irritants make you prone to getting those diseases. Sometimes, using scented soap or wearing underwear made from synthetic materials can weaken the mucus barrier inside the vaginal walls, thus irritating your sensitive area. Ensure to use fragrance-free soap with a neutral pH, and wear cotton underwear that allows your skin to breathe.

Being a woman is difficult, especially when it comes to experiencing periods, but using the right products can prevent yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Leaving the tampon in for too long is one of the causes of TS or even sepsis, and in the short run, it can even increase the number of bacteria. Experts recommend using pads or changing the tampon every 4 hours to reduce the cause of infection.

All in all, we hope that this little piece of advice will come in handy if you are experiencing bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or trichomoniasis. Make sure you always check in with your doctor before taking any treatment, and you should feel better in no time!

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