The vagina is more complex than it appears, it goes beyond biology and anatomy into
chemistry. Yes, even the vagina has acids and a certain level of pH balance that needs to be
maintained for the vagina to be healthy!
Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of vaginal pH before, not many people have – even
though almost half the world’s population has one. It’s always been a taboo topic, even for
women, and not many talk about it. A lot of vital information that all women should know
about their own anatomy gets lost in the dark.
Knowledge of vaginal pH is extremely important as it can help you determine whether your
vagina is healthy or not if there’s something you need to worry about. To make sure you
have the power to determine this, here is a compilation of all the “pHacts” you should know
about vaginal pH and vaginal pH balance.
Let’s get started by taking a look at what pH means and why pH balance is important.

WHAT pH MEANS AND WHY A pH BALANCE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE BODY

pH refers to the scale of measurement used to describe how acidic or basic a substance is.
The scale ranges from the number 1 to 14, with the lower number indicating that the
substance is more acidic and the higher numbers indicating that the substance is more
basic.
All body parts have a certain pH value and a certain amount of acid or base to carry out their
functions. These acids are essential for the body as without them the organs would fail to
work efficiently.

VAGINAL pH AND ITS IMPORTANCE

When it comes to the vagina, it is acidic in nature as it has certain naturally occurring good
bacteria that produce acid necessary for lubrication and cleaning. The acidic nature of the
vagina is helpful in protecting it against harmful germs, bacteria, fungi, etc., and helps in the
maintenance of a healthy environment down there.
The ideal vaginal pH level ranges from 3.8 – 4.5 on the pH scale. It is important that the pH
of the vaginal area is maintained and does not rise above or fall below this range.

If the pH level of the vagina is too high, it is an indicator of the vagina being unclean and
unhealthy as the low amount of acid will render the vagina incapable of cleaning and
protecting itself.
Similarly, too low of a pH level will make the vagina too acidic and kill the good bacteria
present to maintain vaginal health.
For optimal sexual and vaginal health, it is essential to maintain the appropriate vaginal pH.
Let’s take a look at what would happen if the pH level of the vagina was to be imbalanced
and what the factors that can lead to pH imbalance are.

THE MANIFESTATION AND CAUSES OF VAGINAL pH IMBALANCE

When the pH level of the vagina falls out of the range of 3.8 to 4.5, there is an imbalance in
the acidic level. Here are some of the symptoms of vaginal pH imbalance:
● Change in the color and consistency of vaginal discharge, especially if it turns thick
and any color other than white.
● Healthy vaginal discharge is odorless. If the pH of your vagina is imbalanced, the
discharge will emit a foul odor.
● Vaginal itching is one of the most common symptoms of an imbalanced vaginal pH.
● If you feel a burning sensation while urinating, chances are that the pH level of your
vagina is imbalanced.

Here are some of the reasons why a vaginal pH imbalance might occur:
● Douching: Douching is the process of cleaning the vagina using pre-packaged fluid.
The vagina is self-cleaning and does not need to be cleaned internally using any
outside products. Douching can increase the pH level significantly by introducing
chemicals into the area.
● Menstruation: The constant fluctuation of hormone levels during the menstrual cycle
can interfere with the pH of the vagina. This is, however, usually rectified as the
period cycle comes to an end.

● Antibiotic medications: As mentioned above, antibiotics can kill both bad and good
bacteria. A certain level of good bacteria is present on the vaginal lining and is
necessary to maintain vaginal health. Antibiotic medicines can increase the pH level
of the vagina to an unhealthy level, which would kill the good bacteria and make the
vagina more prone to infections.
These were some of the most common factors that can lead to an imbalance in vaginal pH.
Let’s take a look at the method that can be used to determine the pH of the vagina.

DETERMINING THE pH LEVEL OF THE VAGINA

Other than looking out for the symptoms, you can determine your vaginal pH level using a
vaginal pH test kit at home. These are widely available in the market and are easy to use.
All you have to do is hold a vaginal pH test strip against your vaginal wall for a couple of
seconds. It will react to the pH of your vagina and change color, compare it to the chart
provided to know what the pH level of your vagina is.
A vaginal pH test is very accurate and can be trusted. Do consult a doctor if your pH is out of
whack.

CONCLUSION

Your vaginal pH is an important indicator of your overall sexual and vaginal health. It can
help you figure out if you need to take some steps to make sure you stay healthy down
there or if you need to change something about your lifestyle.
An imbalanced vaginal pH is nothing to worry about and can easily be treated.