Vagina and ovaries are the reproductive parts of a female. Vagina is the body part through which a woman bleeds during her periods, conceives by involving in sexual intercourse with a male, and pushes out the most beautiful creation of her life - her baby. Vagina is the most important part of being a woman and it is one of the most delicate parts too. To maintain its health, we need to maintain a healthy pH level of it.
pH level is the level of acidic or alkaline substance of a particular thing. The pH level of vagina is very important in order to remain healthy. A healthy pH level of vagina is between 3.8 to 4.5 which is moderately acidic. Though which level is a healthy level depends on a female's age too. During your reproductive years which is (15-50), the pH level of your vagina must be below 4.5 or maximum upto 4.5, after menopause the pH level of vagina rises and tends to be higher than 4.5.
Signs of high pH level
- Foul or fishy smell
- Vaginal discharge (white, grey or green in colour)
- Itching in vagina
- Burning during urination
Health risks in imbalanced pH level of vagina
Vaginal pH level is seen as imbalanced when it is less than 3.8 and more than 4.5. When pH level is more than 4.5 it becomes less acidic and your vagina would invite bad bacterias and vaginal odor will occur, discomfort would be felt, and infections would start to grow inside your vagina.
Bacterial vaginosis
The most common vaginal infection in child bearing ages is bacterial vaginosis. When pH level is too high, unhealthy bacterias like Prevotella, Gardenerella Vaginalis, Peptostreptococcus and bacteroides start to increase, and these infections cause bacterial vaginosis.
Trichomoniasis
When your vaginal pH level is too high, a tiny parasite called vaginal trichomonas would cause STI.
Low vaginal pH level occurs in very rare cases, but if it does, it can affect your fertility. Combination of Sperm and too acidic pH level have less chance to survive in ovaries.
Causes of imbalanced pH level of vagina
Antibiotics
If a woman is consuming antibiotics for some reason, it doesn't only kill bad bacterias in your body but it can kill good bacteria in your vagina too like lactobacilli.
Periods
Periods can imbalance your vaginal pH level. Period blood usually contains pH of 7.4 which is really really higher than your usual/balanced vaginal state.
Period products
Menstrual products can also affect your vaginal microbiota, especially those products which absorb and not collect, for example: tampons which absorb blood but are placed inside your vagina for more than the prescribed time.
Fluctuations of hormones
There is a relation between estrogen and lactic acid. The fluctuations in hormones can affect the pH level of vagina like, the amount and viscosity of vaginal secretions, the glycogen contents and the vaginal oxygen carbon dioxide levels, etc. And lower estrogen is correlated with an increase in pH level of vagina.
Douching
Vagina is a body part which self-cleanse itself. Douching or washing vagina with soap or any other washing soap/shampoo can imbalance your vagina. We just need to clean vulva and that's it. Rinsing with water is enough for our vagina to be cleaned and healthy.
Semen
In sexual intercourse, if semen is ejaculated in vagina, then it may cause imbalance of your pH level. Semen has a pH level between 7.2 - 8.0 and vaginal pH level is between 3.5 - 4.5. So, ejaculation of semen in vagina may cause an increase in vaginal pH level and it may cause an imbalance.
pH level of vagina during pregnancy
The pH level of vagina of a pregnant woman is usually normal. But, if the mother is a smoker or alcoholic, then there can be issues of imbalanced pH level of vagina. So, smoking and drinking alcohol in pregnancy specially can cause imbalance in your pH level of vagina.
How to test your pH level of vagina
Consulting your gynecologist is a must in order to check your pH level of vagina and vaginal health. But, you can test it at home too by a home pH level test kit. It generally includes a piece of pH test paper and a colour chart to determine your vaginal pH level.
How to perform the steps for the test
- Wash your hands
- Remove pH swab from its packing and make sure to not let it come in contact with anything else.
- By holding the swab by its handle in between your thumb and index finger, make sure the test kit faces your side.
- Spread labia with free hand
- Insert the swab in your vagina tilting it to make sure that the paper is fully in contact with the vaginal walls
- Hold for 5-6 seconds
- Then remove the swab and make sure to not touch the paper
The test kit comes with colour reference chart, take your test paper and compare the colour of the paper with the given colour chart to see the results.
How to balance the pH level of vagina
Consume yogurt
Yogurt is a home of calcium and vitamin D and it helps to maintain a proper pH level of your body and vagina as it contains the good bacterias for our body.
Use of protection while having sex
Always use a condom while involved in sexual intimacy, it can be a male condom or female condom (except when you are planning pregnancy). Condoms not only help you with maintaining pH level of your vagina but it also protects you from unwanted pregnancy, STDs, infections, etc.
Consume probiotics
They help in maintaining the correct pH level of your vagina. Natural Indian probiotics are:- achaar(pickles), dahi(curd/yogurt), idli/dosa, kaanji, dhokla, etc.
Don't douche
Your vagina cleans itself naturally by releasing small amounts of water discharge, just wash your vulva (outer part of vagina) with a vaginal cleaning soap or liquid (prescribed by your doctor) or wash your vagina with lukewarm water.
Self examination
At last, give your proper attention to your body, do regular self examination of your body and go for regular medical check-ups even if you feel absolutely fine.
Use of enough lubricant
Use enough lubricant while going in a sexual intercourse with your partner, don't over lubricate your vagina with artificial lubricants. Less lubrication or over lubrication both can be harmful for your vaginal health and it's pH level. So, using correct amount of lubrication is a must. Though, natural lubrication is best for your health and it can be achieved through proper foreplay before intercourse.
Hygiene care
Keep your vagina hygienic by changing your underwear after a day, wear clean underwear, change your pads or tampons regularly while on your periods, etc.
Proper care of the body should be at your top priority, do take proper care of your body and your body will always protect you from any problem. Regular medical check-up is a must, examining your body is a must and consulting your doctor before doing anything with your body is a must.