Maybe you think that you take enough care of your private parts. You shower regularly, use high-quality hygiene products and have even switched to organic cotton. But what if there is one more factor that can affect the health of your vagina and you should pay more attention to it? In our new blog series, we look at vaginal pH. What exactly does it mean, how can we measure it, what factors influence it and how to respond to these changes. Because we believe that every woman should have the knowledge and tools she needs to take care of her health in the best possible way.
Why is it good to know the pH of the vaginal environment?
Exactly. vaginal pH that is, it plays a key role in how we feel, how our immune system works in this sensitive part of our body, and how we are protected from possible infections. Monitoring your pH is important for women of all ages.
The vagina is home to billions of bacteria that create the so-called vaginal microflora. Its health and balance are important to our overall comfort and health. And thanks to the pH of the vagina, we can tell if everything is in order. In addition, checking pH can help identify whether the body is ready to conceive and can also help with pregnancy planning.
How to know the pH values of the vagina and what they can mean?
The pH value is an indicator of the acidity or alkalinity of the environment and is measured on a scale from 0 to 14. The healthy vagina of an adult woman usually has a pH between 3.8 and 4.5, which is a slightly acidic environment. Such acidity is ideal for good bacteria, especially lactobacillus, which produces lactic acid to maintain optimal vaginal pH.
If the vaginal pH increases (becomes alkaline), this can signal possible problems such as bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections or that menopause is coming. On the other hand, if the vaginal pH is low (more acidic), it may indicate dryness or yeast infection.
Now that we know what vaginal pH means and what role it plays in our health, we will advise you on how we can monitor and regulate this pH. Thanks to our education partnership with Gynella we will give you solution tips to help you achieve satisfaction and a pleasant feeling down there.
How to measure pH?
You can easily do everything at home with, for example, the pH indicator papers from Gynella. Take the measurement with the test paper in the non-menstrual period, when you have not used vaginal products for 12 hours and at least 15 minutes after urinating. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before testing. Place the strip on your finger and insert it into the vagina for about 2 cm. It needs to be moistened with vaginal secretions, so hold it according to the instructions for 15-60 seconds. Then compare the color of the indicator with the color scale, and in case of an unfavorable result, you can choose the recommended solution.
How often to check vaginal pH?
In general, if you have no health problems or unusual symptoms, measuring vaginal pH once a month should be sufficient. However, if you feel changes such as burning, itching, or discharge, you should measure the vaginal pH immediately. Whether it's menstrual bleeding, sexual intercourse, or just normal daily activities, vaginal pH can easily change. Using gentle period products and regularly monitoring the pH of the vagina is one of the best ways to make sure that everything is in order.
Next time we will tell you what factors influence pH changes and how to keep the pH of the vagina in balance.
This article was created in cooperation with the Czech brand of intimate care products Gynella.