We have vetted brands and chosen products that do not make unsubstantiated health claims or promises. A pH imbalance in women can disrupt the balance of normal vaginal bacteria and yeast. An imbalance of these important factors can cause a range of symptoms and infections in the vagina.

López-Moreno A, et al. (2021). Vaginal probiotics for reproductive health and related dysbiosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/vaginal-dryness#:~:text=An%20upset%20in%20the%20vagina's,dryness%2C%20itching%2C%20or%20burning. A dietary option for supporting vaginal health is apple cider vinegar (ACV). While more studies are needed, ACV has been shown to have antifungal and antibacterial properties when taken orally. 6 If you’re considering trying ACV, you can choose to drink a diluted version of it or take it in the form of a dietary supplement. It’s important to note that ACV is not to be used vaginally as it has the potential to further disrupt vaginal pH and can be caustic to delicate vaginal tissues. 7 Probiotics to Help with pH BalanceAccording to a 2011 study, an increased exposure to semen, which has an alkalizing effect on the vagina, may increase your risk for BV. You can use a sanitary napkin to prevent the medicine from staining your clothing, but do not use a tampon. The “good” bacteria, known as lactobacilli, are abundant in a healthy vagina. In addition to fighting off infection, these bacteria help to keep your vaginal pH balanced. Research has shown that douching is strongly linked to BV. Besides avoiding douching, it’s also best to avoid fragrant vaginal washes and scented tampons or sanitary pads. These products can all disrupt your vaginal pH balance. Vitamin C has been found to lower female pH when inserted in the vagina as a tablet or suppository. For those women who are prone to bacterial vaginosis, vitamin C tablets can help prevent it from occurring. Cranberry Supplements

Probiotics live throughout the body and are especially prevalent in the digestive tract, where they may inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Gut bacteria also have many other functions, including supplying essential nutrients. Another reason for the vaginal pH level to change can be a woman’s age. That pH level should be around 4.5 or below during the reproductive years of 15 and 49. The usual dosage of vaginal boric acid for a chronic vaginal yeast infection is 1 suppository inserted into the vagina once per day, for 6 days in a row.Not douching. Your vagina is self-cleaning, meaning that there’s no need for you to use any tools or extra products. Imbalances in the pH system significantly affect your lungs and kidneys because these two systems moderate acid levels in your body the most.

We would recommend throwing in some D-Mannose too if you want to look out for a healthy pH balance. Vitamin C Jung B, et al. (2019). Diagnosis and management of metabolic acidosis: Guidelines from a French expert panel. We have included probiotics with different strains, including multiple options with a blend of bacteria strains. Use and dosage When less Lactobacillus is produced, the vaginal pH level becomes more alkaline, and more harmful bacteria will find the environment easier to thrive in.

Suez J, Zmora N, Zilberman-Schapira G, et al. Post-antibiotic gut mucosal microbiome reconstitution is impaired by probiotics and improved by autologous FMT. Cell. 2018;174(6):1406-1423.e16. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2018.08.047 Vaginitis has different types, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and aerobic vaginitis [ 7]. This review focuses on the first three common types of vaginitis. Under the current standard, the diagnosis of vaginitis depends on criteria based on several clinical presentations. For example, the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis has been based on Amsel Criteria in clinical [ 1] routine since 1983. Following the Amsel Criteria, bacterial vaginosis is diagnosed by the presence of three out of four conditions, including homogenously milky vaginal discharge, vaginal pH over 4.5, positive KOH whiff test, and 20% at least of clue cells under wet-mount test by microscope [ 8]. The Nugent Score is a scoring system that calculates the relative number of bacterial morphologies under Gram-stained vaginal discharge smears to diagnose bacterial vaginosis [ 9]. For both abovementioned diagnostic criteria, the vaginal fluid pH is a useful and unique marker for vaginitis. Abnormal pH values increase the possibility of vaginitis, and the measurement of vaginal pH has been used for initial screening [ 10]. From previous studies, a vaginal fluid pH value of 4–4.5 or less signifies the absence of vaginitis, whereas a pH value of more than 4.5 denotes vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis (BV) [ 11]. However, with a trichomonas vaginalis infection, the pH value may be increased to 6.5 or more [ 12]. A probiotic is a live microorganism that may benefit a person when they consume it in the right amounts. Probiotics may reduce digestive symptoms such as inflammatory bowel diseases and may be helpful in the treatment and prevention of vaginal infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Amabebe E, Anumba D. Psychosocial stress, cortisol levels, and maintenance of vaginal health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00568

As well as keeping vampires at bay, garlic also has some potent antifungal and antibacterial properties. Exercising. Physical activity can increase your brain’s production of endorphins, the “feel-good” neurotransmitters. Some types of activities, like yoga and tai chi, can be especially helpful for reducing stress. If this balance is offset, it can affect the function of your major organs, reproductive system, and digestive system.You may start showing symptoms that you may have never had before. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: “Can vaginitis lead to other health problems?” Other female-focused probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. To help keep a balance with your vaginal yeast and level of good bacteria, look for those two aforementionedDiet and nutrition play a significant role in supporting our health and wellness, but did you know that they can also affect a certain balance in our bodies? We’re talking about pH balance — more specifically, vaginal pH balance. There’s a small amount of research available that says feminine pH balance pills can indeed change the bacterial environment of the vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilusis one type of bacteria that’s commonly included in supplements and that’s been shown to positively affect vaginal imbalance issues. Normal vaginal pH (3.8-4.5) is regulated by Lactobacillus through hydrogen peroxide, lactic acid, and glycogen. However, an overgrowth of Gardnerella vaginalis can disrupt the balance of the vaginal ecosystem, leading to a condition called dysbiosis. Treatment options for vulvovaginal candidiasis include oral preparations and topical preparations [ 62]. Treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms. There are several topical pyrazole formulations and treatment options, as well as a single dose of 150 mg oral fluconazole (Diflucan) and oral fluconazole, recommended by the CDC as the first-line of treatment for vulvovaginal candidiasis [ 53]. Medications such as clotrimazole, miconazole, terconazole, and butoconazole are still the most prescribed and are typically used for 3–7 days. In oral medications, fluconazole has replaced ketoconazole, because the former has more favorable side effects [ 63]. According to the different types of Candida present, we can divide infection into simple or complicated vaginal candidiasis. Patients with complicated Candida vaginitis require more aggressive treatment. Most recurrent vaginal candidiasis is associated with Candida albicans, and it had been proven helpful to administer intensive treatment with fluconazole for 7 to 14 days (fluconazole 150 mg once every three days for a total of three doses). Further fluconazole treatment for 6 months (150 mg per week) can relieve symptoms in 1 year [ 64]. All three are designed to support urinary tract health and support the overall health of the vagina. How Vaginal pH Levels Change