7 Things That Change Your Vagina’s pH Balance

So you might be wondering what changes the vaginal pH balance… here are seven things that change your vaginal pH levels!

A normal vaginal pH level is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic. However, what constitutes a normal pH level can vary slightly based on your stage of life. Normal labia pH is slightly higher. An imbalanced vaginal pH can lead to infections and irritations.

So what can change your pH?

First of all, semen. Semen is actually basic. So after sex, the pH of your vagina naturally increases and becomes more basic.

Second, menstrual blood during your period. The pH of the vagina is also less acidic when you are menstruating.

Third, hormone decline after pregnancy or after menopause. Hormone decreases contribute to different bacterial growth. Lactobacillus starts to die off if estrogen is not present, and the result is the vagina becomes more basic.

Fourth, soaps and douching. Soap is alkaline or basic, unless specially formulated and douching removes the healthy bacteria in the vaginal tract. Using a pH balance intimate cleaner is the optimal way to clean your genital region.

Fifth, lubricants and vaginal moisturizers. It’s really super important to use the right lubricant for your needs. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you’ll wanna use a lubricant that has a higher pH. For example, seven or eight. The pH acidity is not conducive to alkaline sperm, so using an acidic lubricant can be a barrier to getting pregnant.

Sixth, coconut oil. If you’re using coconut oil as a lubricant or moisturizer, keep in mind that coconut oil has a high pH of seven or eight. Hey, it may feel great on the skin, but it’s not a long-term solution for the genital tract and can erode the protective acid mantle over the long term.

Lastly, medications. People use antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria when they are ill, but these medications can kill good bacteria as well. This will include bacteria in the vagina. If an individual is taking antibiotics, their vagina pH may be way out of balance.

I hope you found this article helpful and learned the seven things that can really cause an imbalance to your vagina’s pH. Here’s to healthy vaginas!