Doctors can take a vaginal pH measurement to determine how acidic the vaginal environment is. It is also possible to test this at home.
In the vagina, a high pH may cause infections as it can allow bacteria and yeast to thrive.
In this article, learn more about normal vaginal pH levels, how to test them at home, and what to do to restore vaginal pH balance.
What are normal vaginal pH levels?
A normal vaginal pH is between 3.8 and 4.5. A pH level within this range can help to keep bacterial and fungal infections at bay.
Lactobacilli bacteria live in the vagina and secrete lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which give the vagina its acidic pH level.
Vaginal pH can change throughout a person’s lifetime. It is usually higher than 4.5 before a person has their first menstrual period and after menopause.
Vaginal pH is usually less than 4.5 during a woman’s reproductive years unless a condition or infection raises it.
People can purchase home-testing kits that measure the pH balance of the vagina. These kits are available in some pharmacies and online.
At-home testing can reveal elevated pH levels, which could indicate the presence of an infection.
The test involves placing a strip of paper that measures pH against the wall of the vagina for a designated amount of time.
After removing the paper, a person can compare the resulting color to those on a chart in the kit. Each color corresponds to a pH value.
People should read all of the information that the test kit includes. This will include recommendations on the timing of the test, including not performing the test while menstruating or too soon after sex.
If a person’s vaginal pH levels are routinely high without any symptoms of an infection, they can take several steps at home to reduce their pH levels. These include:
- Avoiding harsh soaps and douching. Soaps typically have a high pH, and using them to clean the vaginal area may increase vaginal pH. It is best to use warm water and a gentle cleanser to clean the vulva but to refrain from using soap inside the vagina. This will help to maintain the vaginal pH balance.
- Taking a probiotic supplement or suppository. Probiotics help to restore the body’s natural bacterial levels. Some foods also contain probiotics, including yogurt, miso, and kombucha.
- Changing tampons regularly. Leaving a tampon in for too long can increase the vaginal pH because the pH of blood is slightly basic. Changing tampons frequently also reduces the risk of bacterial infections, including toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
- Using barrier protection during sex. Using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, not only helps to prevent pregnancy and STIs but can prevent semen and other fluids from affecting pH levels in the vagina.
Doctors can also prescribe creams, such as estrogen cream, which may help to reduce the vagina’s pH levels.
Summary
Keeping vaginal pH levels in balance can help to reduce infections and prevent complications.
Doctors rarely rely just on measurements of vaginal pH to diagnose medical conditions, such as yeast infections, or to determine whether or not someone is approaching menopause. However, vaginal pH tests can help to confirm a suspected diagnosis.
People can take steps, such as using probiotic supplements and not douching, to help keep their vaginal pH levels balanced.
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