5 symptoms of altered vaginal pH to watch out for

Normal vaginal pH is more acidic and can cause problems when it is changed. Keeping it balanced is ideal and paying attention to the signals your body gives about changes in the acidity of the intimate region is very important. Check now what gynecologist Mariana Rosario, from Hospital Albert Einstein, explained about this subject.

What is vaginal pH

Dr Mariana explained that “pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of some substance or place and in this case, the vaginal pH measures the acidity of the vagina”. The doctor also commented that “the ideal pH for the intimate region is seven – below seven is acidic and above seven is basic – as it is usually more acidic”.

Altered vaginal pH and its symptoms

The gynecologist mentioned that the vaginal pH can be altered by hormonal changes. “During pregnancy or in the case of patients who use contraceptives, microbiota changes can occur, so the vaginal secretion can also have a pH change, due to the substances that these bacteria produce in the region”, she concluded. The doctor also cited the main symptoms:

• burning;
• Itch;
• Pain in sexual intercourse;
• greenish discharge;
• Discharge like curdled milk.

When you notice any of the symptoms, be sure to look for your gynecologist. Now, read on to learn how to balance the pH of the vagina and understand its importance.

How to balance the vaginal pH and maintain the health of the intimate region

Mariana pointed out that hormonal imbalance is the main cause of pH change in the intimate region. Thus, it is necessary to directly treat the cause and always take care of the intimate region. She brought five tips to balance it:

• Suspend contraceptive use: “For some patients it may be recommended to stop taking the contraceptive, especially if the pH of the intimate region is very unbalanced”, he explained.
• Decrease the consumption of carbohydrates: “as food interferes with the microbiota of the intimate region, it may be necessary to make changes and reduce the consumption of carbohydrates”, he cited.
• Decrease the consumption of sugars: the gynecologist complemented the previous information, saying that “changes in the microbiota of the vagina also result from excessive consumption of sugar, so it is necessary to reduce this in the diet”.
• Assessing IUD removal: “Like contraceptives, the IUD can cause hormonal changes that interfere with vaginal pH. A physical examination is performed to assess the secretion and if the pH is very altered, it is recommended to remove the IUD”, Mariana commented.
• Using condoms during sexual intercourse: the doctor recalled that semen has an alkaline pH, so “it is recommended to use condoms to prevent changes in the pH of the vagina when there is no intention of becoming pregnant”.

These are some tips that can help balance the vaginal pH. To know if the pH is healthy, it is recommended to observe the presence of discharge and itching. Therefore, visit your trusted gynecologist to analyze how the secretion of the intimate region is.

The importance of vaginal pH staying more acidic

According to Mariana, “a balanced pH keeps bacteria and fungi – which inhabit the vaginal cavity – in balance. With this, the person is free of discharge and everything works correctly in the region, including the natural lubrication and cleaning of the vagina”. She also mentioned the issue of fertility, for women who are trying to conceive, because “if the patient has an altered pH, the sperm may not resist until it reaches the cervix for it to be able to enter and fertilize the egg there in the fallopian tube”, she concluded. .

As you can see above, normal vaginal pH is acidic and important for maintaining the health of the intimate area. Now that you know the signs of change and how to balance the pH, also check out the article on vaginal discharge.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.