A feminine pH balance should be slightly acidic and healthy.<\/p>\n
The normal flora or healthy bacteria in the vagina thrive when the pH level is balanced.<\/p>\n
These harmless bacteria, along with vaginal discharge, keep the vagina clean and infection-free.<\/p>\n
This article explores the definition of pH levels, the normal pH of the vagina, and how it relates to normal flora.<\/p>\n
It also discusses symptoms of an unbalanced pH as well as home remedies to help keep levels balanced.<\/p>\n
If you suspect it\u2019s unbalanced, easy-to-use at-home tests are available.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Normal pH Level <\/span><\/h2>\npH stands for potential hydrogen. pH levels are based on a scale of 0 to 14 and measure acidity or alkalinity<\/span>. Numbers lower than 7 are acidic, while higher numbers are alkaline (basic).<\/p>\n pH scale <\/span><\/h3>\nThe pH scale ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic):<\/p>\n
\n- Less than 7 = acidic<\/li>\n
- 7 = neutral<\/li>\n
- Greater than 7 = basic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
pH levels vary throughout the body. The vagina\u2019s pH is naturally acidic and usually ranges from 3.8 to 4.5.<\/p>\n
\npH Levels of Common Substances<\/h3>\n\nFor a greater perspective, below are the levels of a few common substances:<\/p>\n
\n- Stomach acid: 1<\/li>\n
- Lemon juice: 2<\/li>\n
- Vinegar: 2.2<\/li>\n
- Orange juice: 3.3 to 4.2<\/li>\n
- Pickles: 3.5 to 3.9<\/li>\n
- Coffee: 5<\/li>\n
- Pure water: 7<\/li>\n
- Seawater: 8<\/li>\n
- Baking soda: 8.3<\/li>\n
- Ammonia: 11<\/li>\n
- Soapy water: 11 to 12<\/li>\n
- Lye: 13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Symptoms of Unbalanced pH Levels <\/span><\/h2>\nBefore discussing the pH balance of the vagina, it\u2019s important to discuss normal vaginal flora.<\/p>\n
Normal flora is made up of healthy microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and other fungi.<\/p>\n
Think of it as a mini-ecosystem in the vagina that is critical for maintaining a healthy pH balance.<\/p>\n
A pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 is ideal for the normal flora to thrive.<\/p>\n
Medications, diet, hormones, and lifestyle factors can disrupt the balance.<\/p>\n
pH levels greater than 4.5 create an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow more easily.<\/p>\n
This can lead to bacterial vaginosis<\/span> (BV).<\/p>\n\nSymptoms of vaginal infections that can lead to imbalanced vaginal pH include:<\/p>\n
\n- Redness, a rash, swelling, or itching around the vagina or labia<\/li>\n
- Burning with urination or during sexual intercourse<\/li>\n
- Strong, unpleasant odor or fishy smell<\/li>\n
- Green, gray, or yellow discharge<\/li>\n
- Chunky texture<\/li>\n
- It may be more noticeable after menstruation<\/span> (period) or intercourse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Atrophic Vaginitis<\/h3>\n\nAtrophic vaginitis, thinning of vaginal tissue, may also cause burning or discomfort. This is more common in perimenopausal or menopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Testing <\/span><\/h2>\nAt-home vaginal pH tests are also referred to as feminine screening kits and are similar to those used in the doctor\u2019s office. Some include litmus paper, while others use a vaginal swab. You collect the sample at home, comparing your results with an easy-to-read pH color chart.<\/p>\n
Similar tests provide a report of your vaginal microbiome<\/span>. However, they are packaged and sent to a lab.<\/p>\n\nFollow Directions Carefully<\/h3>\n\nFollow the directions for these at-home tests carefully to ensure accurate results. Many are invalid if they are done too soon after sexual intercourse or a menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What Do the Results Mean? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n- A pH above 4.5<\/strong>: pH levels above 4.5 may indicate that you have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis. In this case, your healthcare provider will want to do an exam and possible testing to plan your course of treatment.<\/li>\n
- A normal or slightly low pH<\/strong>: If you have itching, burning, or redness, and your pH is normal or slightly low, it could be a yeast infection. If you\u2019ve had yeast infections in the past, your healthcare provider may recommend trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\n \n \n\n \n\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n-33%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.healthysuppliesshop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/10185-uhjusa.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
pH scale <\/span><\/h3>\nThe pH scale ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic):<\/p>\n
\n- Less than 7 = acidic<\/li>\n
- 7 = neutral<\/li>\n
- Greater than 7 = basic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
pH levels vary throughout the body. The vagina\u2019s pH is naturally acidic and usually ranges from 3.8 to 4.5.<\/p>\n
\npH Levels of Common Substances<\/h3>\n\nFor a greater perspective, below are the levels of a few common substances:<\/p>\n
\n- Stomach acid: 1<\/li>\n
- Lemon juice: 2<\/li>\n
- Vinegar: 2.2<\/li>\n
- Orange juice: 3.3 to 4.2<\/li>\n
- Pickles: 3.5 to 3.9<\/li>\n
- Coffee: 5<\/li>\n
- Pure water: 7<\/li>\n
- Seawater: 8<\/li>\n
- Baking soda: 8.3<\/li>\n
- Ammonia: 11<\/li>\n
- Soapy water: 11 to 12<\/li>\n
- Lye: 13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Symptoms of Unbalanced pH Levels <\/span><\/h2>\nBefore discussing the pH balance of the vagina, it\u2019s important to discuss normal vaginal flora.<\/p>\n
Normal flora is made up of healthy microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and other fungi.<\/p>\n
Think of it as a mini-ecosystem in the vagina that is critical for maintaining a healthy pH balance.<\/p>\n
A pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 is ideal for the normal flora to thrive.<\/p>\n
Medications, diet, hormones, and lifestyle factors can disrupt the balance.<\/p>\n
pH levels greater than 4.5 create an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow more easily.<\/p>\n
This can lead to bacterial vaginosis<\/span> (BV).<\/p>\n\nSymptoms of vaginal infections that can lead to imbalanced vaginal pH include:<\/p>\n
\n- Redness, a rash, swelling, or itching around the vagina or labia<\/li>\n
- Burning with urination or during sexual intercourse<\/li>\n
- Strong, unpleasant odor or fishy smell<\/li>\n
- Green, gray, or yellow discharge<\/li>\n
- Chunky texture<\/li>\n
- It may be more noticeable after menstruation<\/span> (period) or intercourse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Atrophic Vaginitis<\/h3>\n\nAtrophic vaginitis, thinning of vaginal tissue, may also cause burning or discomfort. This is more common in perimenopausal or menopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Testing <\/span><\/h2>\nAt-home vaginal pH tests are also referred to as feminine screening kits and are similar to those used in the doctor\u2019s office. Some include litmus paper, while others use a vaginal swab. You collect the sample at home, comparing your results with an easy-to-read pH color chart.<\/p>\n
Similar tests provide a report of your vaginal microbiome<\/span>. However, they are packaged and sent to a lab.<\/p>\n\nFollow Directions Carefully<\/h3>\n\nFollow the directions for these at-home tests carefully to ensure accurate results. Many are invalid if they are done too soon after sexual intercourse or a menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What Do the Results Mean? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n- A pH above 4.5<\/strong>: pH levels above 4.5 may indicate that you have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis. In this case, your healthcare provider will want to do an exam and possible testing to plan your course of treatment.<\/li>\n
- A normal or slightly low pH<\/strong>: If you have itching, burning, or redness, and your pH is normal or slightly low, it could be a yeast infection. If you\u2019ve had yeast infections in the past, your healthcare provider may recommend trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\n \n \n\n \n\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n-33%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
pH levels vary throughout the body. The vagina\u2019s pH is naturally acidic and usually ranges from 3.8 to 4.5.<\/p>\n
pH Levels of Common Substances<\/h3>\n\nFor a greater perspective, below are the levels of a few common substances:<\/p>\n
\n- Stomach acid: 1<\/li>\n
- Lemon juice: 2<\/li>\n
- Vinegar: 2.2<\/li>\n
- Orange juice: 3.3 to 4.2<\/li>\n
- Pickles: 3.5 to 3.9<\/li>\n
- Coffee: 5<\/li>\n
- Pure water: 7<\/li>\n
- Seawater: 8<\/li>\n
- Baking soda: 8.3<\/li>\n
- Ammonia: 11<\/li>\n
- Soapy water: 11 to 12<\/li>\n
- Lye: 13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Symptoms of Unbalanced pH Levels <\/span><\/h2>\nBefore discussing the pH balance of the vagina, it\u2019s important to discuss normal vaginal flora.<\/p>\n
Normal flora is made up of healthy microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and other fungi.<\/p>\n
Think of it as a mini-ecosystem in the vagina that is critical for maintaining a healthy pH balance.<\/p>\n
A pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 is ideal for the normal flora to thrive.<\/p>\n
Medications, diet, hormones, and lifestyle factors can disrupt the balance.<\/p>\n
pH levels greater than 4.5 create an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow more easily.<\/p>\n
This can lead to bacterial vaginosis<\/span> (BV).<\/p>\n\nSymptoms of vaginal infections that can lead to imbalanced vaginal pH include:<\/p>\n
\n- Redness, a rash, swelling, or itching around the vagina or labia<\/li>\n
- Burning with urination or during sexual intercourse<\/li>\n
- Strong, unpleasant odor or fishy smell<\/li>\n
- Green, gray, or yellow discharge<\/li>\n
- Chunky texture<\/li>\n
- It may be more noticeable after menstruation<\/span> (period) or intercourse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Atrophic Vaginitis<\/h3>\n\nAtrophic vaginitis, thinning of vaginal tissue, may also cause burning or discomfort. This is more common in perimenopausal or menopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Testing <\/span><\/h2>\nAt-home vaginal pH tests are also referred to as feminine screening kits and are similar to those used in the doctor\u2019s office. Some include litmus paper, while others use a vaginal swab. You collect the sample at home, comparing your results with an easy-to-read pH color chart.<\/p>\n
Similar tests provide a report of your vaginal microbiome<\/span>. However, they are packaged and sent to a lab.<\/p>\n\nFollow Directions Carefully<\/h3>\n\nFollow the directions for these at-home tests carefully to ensure accurate results. Many are invalid if they are done too soon after sexual intercourse or a menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What Do the Results Mean? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n- A pH above 4.5<\/strong>: pH levels above 4.5 may indicate that you have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis. In this case, your healthcare provider will want to do an exam and possible testing to plan your course of treatment.<\/li>\n
- A normal or slightly low pH<\/strong>: If you have itching, burning, or redness, and your pH is normal or slightly low, it could be a yeast infection. If you\u2019ve had yeast infections in the past, your healthcare provider may recommend trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\n \n \n\n \n\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n-33%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
For a greater perspective, below are the levels of a few common substances:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Stomach acid: 1<\/li>\n
- Lemon juice: 2<\/li>\n
- Vinegar: 2.2<\/li>\n
- Orange juice: 3.3 to 4.2<\/li>\n
- Pickles: 3.5 to 3.9<\/li>\n
- Coffee: 5<\/li>\n
- Pure water: 7<\/li>\n
- Seawater: 8<\/li>\n
- Baking soda: 8.3<\/li>\n
- Ammonia: 11<\/li>\n
- Soapy water: 11 to 12<\/li>\n
- Lye: 13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Symptoms of Unbalanced pH Levels <\/span><\/h2>\n
Before discussing the pH balance of the vagina, it\u2019s important to discuss normal vaginal flora.<\/p>\n
Normal flora is made up of healthy microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and other fungi.<\/p>\n
Think of it as a mini-ecosystem in the vagina that is critical for maintaining a healthy pH balance.<\/p>\n
A pH level of 3.8 to 4.5 is ideal for the normal flora to thrive.<\/p>\n
Medications, diet, hormones, and lifestyle factors can disrupt the balance.<\/p>\n
pH levels greater than 4.5 create an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow more easily.<\/p>\n
This can lead to bacterial vaginosis<\/span> (BV).<\/p>\n
\nSymptoms of vaginal infections that can lead to imbalanced vaginal pH include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Redness, a rash, swelling, or itching around the vagina or labia<\/li>\n
- Burning with urination or during sexual intercourse<\/li>\n
- Strong, unpleasant odor or fishy smell<\/li>\n
- Green, gray, or yellow discharge<\/li>\n
- Chunky texture<\/li>\n
- It may be more noticeable after menstruation<\/span> (period) or intercourse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Atrophic Vaginitis<\/h3>\n
\nAtrophic vaginitis, thinning of vaginal tissue, may also cause burning or discomfort. This is more common in perimenopausal or menopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Testing <\/span><\/h2>\n
At-home vaginal pH tests are also referred to as feminine screening kits and are similar to those used in the doctor\u2019s office. Some include litmus paper, while others use a vaginal swab. You collect the sample at home, comparing your results with an easy-to-read pH color chart.<\/p>\n
Similar tests provide a report of your vaginal microbiome<\/span>. However, they are packaged and sent to a lab.<\/p>\n
\nFollow Directions Carefully<\/h3>\n
\nFollow the directions for these at-home tests carefully to ensure accurate results. Many are invalid if they are done too soon after sexual intercourse or a menstrual cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What Do the Results Mean? <\/span><\/h3>\n
- \n
- A pH above 4.5<\/strong>: pH levels above 4.5 may indicate that you have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis. In this case, your healthcare provider will want to do an exam and possible testing to plan your course of treatment.<\/li>\n
- A normal or slightly low pH<\/strong>: If you have itching, burning, or redness, and your pH is normal or slightly low, it could be a yeast infection. If you\u2019ve had yeast infections in the past, your healthcare provider may recommend trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n-33%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t - A normal or slightly low pH<\/strong>: If you have itching, burning, or redness, and your pH is normal or slightly low, it could be a yeast infection. If you\u2019ve had yeast infections in the past, your healthcare provider may recommend trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\n \n
- A pH above 4.5<\/strong>: pH levels above 4.5 may indicate that you have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis. In this case, your healthcare provider will want to do an exam and possible testing to plan your course of treatment.<\/li>\n