What is vaginal pH balance & what affects it | The Fornix | Flex
What is ph balance and what are the symptoms of unbalanced pH levels? Read on to learn what affects it and how to fix your vaginal pH balance.
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Key takeaways
Hopefully, by now you have a better idea of what vaginal pH balance is and what affects it. Here’s a quick recap of everything you need to know:
- Normal vaginal pH is typically between 3.5 and 4.5 – so it’s on the acidic side of the pH scale (where pH 7 is neutral, like water)
- The main reason your vagina stays acidic is due to the presence of “good” bacteria called lactobacilli which eat glycogen (secreted by your vaginal walls), digest it, and poop it out as lactic acid
- When your vaginal pH gets too high (i.e. too alkaline), your risk for infection, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) or trichomoniasis (an STI), increases
- There are many possible triggers for imbalance, out-of-whack vaginal pH, including taking antibiotics, being on your period, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, douching or deodorizing, and the presence of semen inside the vagina
- Talk to your provider if you are experiencing any itching, burning, or swelling around the vagina or labia, any unusual odor or discharge, or pain during sex or urination: These could be signs of a bacterial infection (partly resulting from imbalanced vaginal pH)
