Does something feel off down there? It could be your pH talking! For women, maintaining a balanced vaginal pH is very important, as it solely supports the health of our vagina. When it’s off, we can totally feel it with things like itchiness, irritation, infections and pain during sex. Can it be avoided with some changes to our day to day lives? Absolutely.
Here’s our guide to the 6 best tips to keep your vaginal pH healthy, balanced, and thriving.
Vaginal pH maintains the health of our vagina
A healthy and normal vaginal pH coasts at an acidic level of 3.8- 4.5, although this can change with age. Why is a stable vaginal pH so necessary? Well, it’s our very own protective barrier.A healthy, acidic vaginal pH "creates a barrier that prevents unhealthy bacteria and yeast from multiplying too quickly and causing infection.A high vaginal pH level—above 4.5—provides the perfect environment for unhealthy bacteria to grow." [1]
When we compromise our pH health, we are more at risk of developing conditions like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and most often painful or uncomfortable sex. Not only can these conditions be tough to deal with, but they can impact our emotional response as well. This is often manifested by anxiety around sex, masturbation, or contact with our genitals.
Vulvas & vaginas don’t need cleansing products
From a young age we may be taught that vaginas are “dirty” or need constant cleansing. This has been sold to us in the forms of douching, feminine washes, wipes, you name it. Guess what? You don’t need anything but some H20 to cleanse your nether regions with.
The vagina is a self cleaning organ that doesn’t need assistance. This is why products that “douche” or “cleanse” your vagina actually ruin the healthy, acidic environment making it vulnerable to infection. The vulva, or exterior portion of your genitals, does come into contact with the outside. It’s normal to want to feel clean, especially after sweating heavily, using the bathroom, so be it. All you need is water, which can gently run over your vulva and help you feel refreshed.
If you aren’t making contact with your vulva or vagina and keep experiencing issues, what’s going on? Even the slightest contact with irritants like body-wash, shaving cream, and laundry detergent can throw off your pH. Silk panties can be a culprit too (try 100% cotton underwear). Try changing these first, and contact a doctor if your imbalance persists.
Antibiotics or medication?
It’s good to have certain bacterias in our stomach and vagina that keep our system healthy. Medications like antibiotics come into the body to kill bad bacteria, but end up sweeping away the good bacteria too. It’s incredibly common for women who take a round of antibiotics to experience a yeast infection during or directly after. We recommend loading up on a good probiotic to not only replace the good bacteria that’s being kicked out, but take it daily. Routinely taking a probiotic is great to keep your system running smoothly.
Any other form of medication has the potential to disrupt your vaginal pH. The easiest way to be informed is to ask your doctor what kind of interactions this can cause. For example, hormonal birth control can cause vaginal dryness which can in turn lead to disrupted vaginal pH.
Perspiration can be displacing your vaginal pH
A common complaint from women is that since starting up at the gym, they are experiencing conditions like bacterial vaginosis, itchiness, or discomfort. Sweat has a rough pH balance of 6 and higher. While it’s technically acidic, it’s 1.5 points above the healthy pH of a vagina—so this unfortunately can cause a significant reaction to trigger an otherwise healthy vaginal environment.
We recommend showering directly after the gym, or any activity that may have caused you to perspire. If you can’t shower directly after your workout, be sure to wear breathable, cotton underwear that lets air flow reach your vulva.
Could underwear be the pH culprit?
Yes, our underwear can totally be to blame. Underwear made from certain fibers, like spandex or silk, are not always breathable. This can lead the vulva and vagina to be slightly “suffocated”, and can interrupt the vagina’s self cleaning process. If our vulvas are feeling muggy, they may experience irritation or vulnerability to infection.
Some easy fixes? Buy underwear made with breathable fabrics such as cotton, as it absorbs sweat and discharge, and lets your vulva breathe. Also consider giving your vulva some “air time” without any underwear—like in comfy sweats or a casual loose dress during the day, or when you go to bed.
Not all intimate skin care products and serums are formulated with your pH in mind
Experiencing a burning sensation during intercourse or solo play? It could be the serum you’re using. Unfortunately, not all serums are vagina-friendly (even when advertised as so).
Many serums, even some very popular brands, are filled with chemicals or ingredients you should avoid, like glycerin and parabens. Glycerin is a form of sugar that, when introduced to the vagina, creates a breeding ground for yeast to multiply and cause irritation or yeast infections. Even in the absence of glycerin, the vaginal flora can be ultra sensitive to chemicals, scents or flavors.
This can be mitigated by trying serums that are pH-balanced, and made with body-safe, natural ingredients. Our founder sexologist Dr. Sadie Allison formulated a quality intimate skin care serum called GoLove, that's pH-balanced and specifically created to hydrate, moisturize and soothe your labia and intimate skin. Delivering clean ingredients, a balanced pH, long-lasting performance and a silky feel, it’s designed for every-day use as well as the perfect starter for intimate play.
Semen is far from acidic in pH
Do you get bacterial vaginosis often after sex? It could be your partner’s semen! Generally, the normal pH of semen starts around a 7.2, making it almost 3 points higher than healthy vaginal pH. Reccuring bacterial vaginosis can definitely be the result of semen exposure during sex, which in that case, we recommend using a condom to prevent this interaction. If the problem continues, pleasure consult with your doctor for more solutions.
Be observant for best results
We hope our vaginal pH insights have offered helpful tips about what could be negatively affecting your vaginal pH balance. We recommend keeping a log of your habits, practices, and experiences to determine what may be the root cause of your pH imbalance. Our desire is to help guide you to the healthiest, most balanced vaginal pH for your daily comfort, sexual health and wellness.
Sources
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance#causes