How to Balance the pH in Your Vagina with 9 Natural Treatments
The secret to a healthy vagina is maintaining a regulated pH level.
After the pH balance in your vagina is thrown off, you can utilize natural treatments to restore it.
Natural treatments to balance the pH in your Vagina
Natural treatments for vaginal health include:
- Probiotics
- Garlic
- vinegar made from apple cider
- Keeping hydrated.
- Stress management.
- Eating fewer sweets.
- Avoiding douching.
- Putting on cotton underwear.
Use barrier protection (such as a condom) during penetrative sex. Your vaginal pH should be slightly acidic, ranging between 3.8 and 4.5.
A lower pH indicates that the solution you are using is more acidic.
When the pH level in the vagina is regulated, the usual flora, or good bacteria, grow. Together with vaginal discharge, these harmless bacteria keep the vagina clean and infection-free.
If your pH is too high, you may have symptoms such as redness, rash, or a burning feeling. Natural treatments can help restore balance, but your doctor may also want to test you for infections and other health problems that can be addressed with prescription medicine.
The idea of pH levels, the normal pH of the vagina, and how they relate to normal flora are all discussed in this article.
It also goes into the signs of an imbalanced pH as well as home remedies to help maintain levels in check. There are simple at-home testing available if you feel it is imbalanced.
Symptoms of unbalanced pH levels in the Vagina
pH is an abbreviation for potential hydrogen. Before addressing vaginal pH balance, it is necessary to describe typical vaginal flora. Healthy microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and various fungi make up normal flora.
Consider it a mini-ecosystem within the vagina that is essential for maintaining a healthy pH balance. In an acidic environment, normal flora flourish.
Medications, nutrition, hormones, and lifestyle choices may all throw the balance off.
High pH values encourage the growth of potentially dangerous microorganisms.
This can result in bacterial vaginosis.
Symptoms of vaginal infections that can contribute to a vaginal pH imbalance include the following:
- Around the vagina or labia, there may be redness, a rash, swelling, or irritation.
- Burning during urine or sexual intercourse.
- Strong, nasty, or fishy odor
- Discharge in green, gray, or yellow
- The texture is chunky.
- It may be more visible following menstruation (period) or intercourse.
What Is a Healthy pH Level?
pH readings range from 0 to 14 and indicate acidity or alkalinity. Lower numbers are acidic, whereas larger ones are alkaline (basic).
On the pH Scale
The pH scale varies from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic):
Acidic = less than 7
7 = neutral
More than 7 = basic
pH levels differ throughout the body. The pH of the vagina is normally acidic, ranging from 3.8 to 4.5.
Common Substances and their pH Levels
The acid in the stomach: 1
Lemon juice: 2
Orange juice: 3.3 to 4.2
Pickles: 3.5 to 3.9
Coffee: 5
Pure water: 7
8 for seawater
Teaspoon baking soda: 8.3
Ammonia: 11
11 to 12 for soapy water
Lye: 13
How to test for vagina pH
At-home vaginal pH tests, often known as feminine screening kits, are comparable to those used in doctors’ offices. Some contain litmus paper, while others employ a vaginal swab. You collect the sample at home and compare your results to a simple pH color chart.
Similar tests give information about your vaginal microbiota. They are, however, packed and delivered to a laboratory.
What do the findings indicate?
A pH greater than 4.5
A pH greater than 4.5 may suggest an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis. In this instance, your healthcare professional may want to do an evaluation and possibly some tests in order to arrange for treatment.
A normal or slightly low pH
If you feel itching, burning, or redness and your pH is normal or slightly low, you may have a yeast infection. If you’ve had yeast infections in the past, your doctor may advise you to try an over-the-counter (OTC) drug.
Natural Methods for Restoring pH Balance
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help maintain the pH of your vagina. However, in the meantime, here are some things you can do on your own.
Lactobacilli
Lactobacilli are one type of beneficial bacteria found in the vaginal flora. Lactic acid, generated by lactobacilli, generates an acidic environment that aids in the prevention of the growth of dangerous bacteria.
Antibiotics are extremely effective at killing the microorganisms that cause illness. But did you realize they may also destroy healthy bacteria? As a result, the pH of the vaginal fluid rises and becomes more alkaline, creating an ideal environment for infections to thrive. Bacterial vaginosis can be caused by bacteria (BV). Candida albicans, for example, can cause a yeast infection.
Probiotics
Eating a well-balanced, fiber-rich diet is one of the best strategies to maintain healthy probiotic levels.
Probiotics may be found naturally in fermented foods like:
- Yogurt
- Pickles
- Kombucha (fermented tea) (fermented tea)
- Kefir (fermented dairy drink) (fermented dairy drink)
- Buttermilk
- Bread made with sourdough.
- Sauerkraut fermented.
- Soup with miso
If you aren’t receiving enough from your diet, your doctor may recommend oral supplements or vaginal suppositories. Keep in mind that the usefulness of these supplements is controversial, and additional study is required.
How are probiotics effective?
While research on the usefulness of probiotics has yielded conflicting findings, the vast majority of people support their use.
Probiotics are thought to be harmless and may help to promote general health and regulate vaginal pH levels.
Garlic
Garlic contains antibacterial and antifungal effects. According to certain research, it can help treat vaginal infections. Garlic is typically safe when used as part of a balanced diet. Garlic supplements can be used orally. It is preferable not to use garlic in or near the vagina.
Vinegar of Apple Cider (ACV)
Because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties, many individuals incorporate ACV into their daily regimen.
If you want to give it a try, you should do it orally. You can drink apple cider vinegar or take it as a supplement. Even diluted application to the vagina is not advised. It might be detrimental to the vaginal tissue and the pH balance.
Maintain Hydrated
Drinking enough water aids in the removal of impurities and the regulation of the vaginal ecology. Dehydration can cause vaginal irritation and worsen yeast infections.
Have you ever noticed bottles of alkaline water at the store and wondered if they were any better than ordinary water?
There is currently no proof that drinking alkaline water improves vaginal health. Drink a lot of fresh water to remain hydrated.
Manage Stress
Cortisol rises in the vagina, disrupting the acid-base balance. Because certain pressures are beyond our control, handling them is the best option.
The following are coping strategies to manage stress:
- Regular physical activity
- Getting sufficient sleep
- Deep breath
- Taking part in enjoyable hobbies or activities
- Smoking treatment
- Don’t abuse drug
- Limit alcohol intake.
Take Less Sugar
Increased sugar levels in the body might cause higher pH levels or promote yeast growth.
Avoid or restrict the amount of sugar in meals and beverages, such as:
- Alcohol
- Soda
- Ice cream with refined bread or spaghetti
- Candy
Avoid Douching
Douching is the process of washing the interior of the vagina with water or a solution. Women frequently believe they are expected to douche. Most doctors, however, do not prescribe it since it might induce pH imbalances and alter regular bacteria.
Douching can potentially exacerbate an illness by allowing bacteria to enter the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can result in a significant health issue known as pelvic inflammatory disease.
Take note
The Vaginal Canal Cleans Itself
The vaginal interior is kept clean by the acidic conditions, natural bacteria, and secretions. Blood, sperm, and excess discharge are washed away by secretions. When bathing, simply use warm water on the exterior parts to keep them clean.
Wear cotton underwear.
Synthetic textiles absorb perspiration and moisture, allowing germs and yeast to thrive. Airflow is provided by wearing breathable cotton underwear. It’s also a good idea to change clothes immediately after swimming or sweating in order to keep the region dry. Both lower the likelihood of vaginal and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Barrier Defense During Sex
The pH of sperm ranges between 7.1 and 8. Having unprotected intercourse temporarily raises the pH of the vagina. An elevated pH is beneficial while attempting to create a child since it protects the sperm. Condoms and other barriers protect the vagina from the increased pH of sperm.
Tips
Uncomfortable vaginal symptoms such as redness, swelling, soreness, odd discharge, or an unpleasant odor can be humiliating. On the other hand, fluctuations in pH balance are highly common and affect almost everyone at some point (or on many occasions) throughout their lives. Don’t allow shame to deter you from obtaining medical care; delaying may aggravate your problems.
