The Ph In The Vagina
⚡ ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
The Ph In The Vagina
Featured
Contact FDA
FDA Guidance Documents
Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
Press Announcements
Warning Letters
Advisory Committees
En Español
Products
Food
Drugs
Medical Devices
Radiation-Emitting Products
Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
Animal and Veterinary
Cosmetics
Tobacco Products
Topics
About FDA
Combination Products
Regulatory Information
Safety
Emergency Preparedness
International Programs
News and Events
Training and Continuing Education
Inspections and Compliance
Science and Research
Information For
Consumers
Patients
Industry
Health Professionals
Federal, State and Local Officials
FDA Archive
About FDA
Accessibility
Contact Number
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
What does this test do? This is a home-use test kit to measure the pH of your vaginal secretions.
What is pH? pH is a way to describe how acidic a substance is. It is given by a number on a scale of 1-14. The lower the number, the more acidic the substance.
What type of test is this? This is a quantitative test -- you find out how acidic your vaginal secretions are.
Why should you do this test? You should do this test to help evaluate if your vaginal symptoms (i.e., itching, burning, unpleasant odor, or unusual discharge) are likely caused by an infection that needs medical treatment. The test is not intended for HIV, chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, or group B streptococcus.
How accurate is this test? Home vaginal pH tests showed good agreement with a doctor's diagnosis. However, just because you find changes in your vaginal pH, doesn't always mean that you have a vaginal infection. pH changes also do not help or differentiate one type of infection from another. Your doctor diagnoses a vaginal infection by using a combination of: pH, microscopic examination of the vaginal discharge, amine odor, culture, wet preparation, and Gram stain.
Does a positive test mean you have a vaginal infection? No, a positive test (elevated pH) could occur for other reasons. If you detect elevated pH, you should see your doctor for further testing and treatment. There are no over-the-counter medications for treatment of an elevated vaginal pH.
If test results are negative, can you be sure that you do not have a vaginal infection? No, you may have an infection that does not show up in these tests. If you have no symptoms, your negative test could suggest the possibility of chemical, allergic, or other noninfectious irritation of the vagina. Or, a negative test could indicate the possibility of a yeast infection. You should see your doctor if you find changes in your vaginal pH or if you continue to have symptoms.
How do you do this test? You hold a piece of pH paper against the wall of your vagina for a few seconds, then compare the color of the pH paper to the color on the chart provided with the test kit. The number on the chart for the color that best matches the color on the pH paper is the vaginal pH number.
Is the home test similar to your doctor’s test? Yes. The home vaginal pH tests are practically identical to the ones sold to doctors. But your doctor can provide a more thorough assessment of your vaginal status through your history, physical exam, and other laboratory tests than you can using a single pH test in your home.
Find out more in our Cookie Policy . You can disable cookies anytime in your browser settings.
Product Tour
Health Library
Calculators
Medical Expertise
Privacy Portal
About Us
Careers
Press Center
Flo for Business
Contact Us
Help Center
Your cycle
Health
Symptoms and diseases
Normal Vaginal pH: How to Test, Balance, and Restore Vaginal pH
In this Article
Normal vaginal pH
Potential complications
Vaginal pH testing
Tips for balancing vaginal pH
Updated on April 8, 2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/vagina-ph
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/Maintaining-Vaginal-Health.pdf
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/47/11/1426/282043
https://sti.bmj.com/content/80/1/58.short
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0966842X16301810
https://sti.bmj.com/content/early/2019/12/05/sextrans-2019-054191.abstract
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/vaginal-ph
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662373/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4976-vulvar-care
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0090825816301627
Product
Help Center
Flo for Business
Security at Flo
Privacy Portal
Company
About Us
Careers
Contact Us
Press Center
Your Body Your Story
Content
Health Library
Editorial Process and Standards
Advertising Principles
Privacy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Cookie Policy
Trademark Usage Guidelines
Accessibility statement
Medicine & Science
Our Medical Expertise
Science & Research
Every piece of content at Flo Health adheres to the highest editorial standards for language, style, and medical accuracy. To learn what we do to deliver the best health and lifestyle insights to you, check out our content review principles .
How does the body regulate vaginal pH? What are the warning signs of pH imbalance besides odor and unusual discharge? As always, Flo’s here to shed some light on this important subject. Safeguard your health with the latest facts on normal vaginal pH and what to do if there’s ever a problem.
pH describes the acidity or alkalinity of a specific substance and is assigned a number on a scale of 1 to 14. Zero is considered the most acidic, while 14 is the most alkaline. When a substance is labeled as neutral, that usually means it carries a pH level of 7.
A normal vaginal pH of 5 or lower is thought to fall within the healthy range. It registers below the neutral mark of 7 and qualifies as acidic. When vaginal pH is higher (or more alkaline), the chances of developing an infection increase. That’s because as vaginal pH rises, unhealthy bacteria and yeast multiply and affect the reproductive and urinary systems. Numerous factors come into play when vaginal pH balance is disrupted.
Vaginitis is a general term that refers to any form of vaginal inflammation, most commonly caused by infection. However, inflammation could also be related to changes in normal vaginal pH, resulting from injury, rough sex, or an allergic reaction. You may have an allergy to certain laundry detergents, soaps, lotions, perfumes, feminine hygiene products , latex condoms, or spermicidal agents.
Ordinarily, vaginal discharge has little or no odor and appears clear, milky, or blood-tinged depending on hormone levels and the current phase of your menstrual cycle . It could be a warning sign of vaginitis if your discharge:
Consult your doctor if you also observe symptoms like burning, itching, or irritation. And if abnormal discharge is accompanied by back pain, painful urination, severe abdominal discomfort, or fever, please seek immediate medical care.
Three different pathogens have been identified in most cases of vaginal infection: bacterial vaginosis, candida vaginitis, and trichomoniasis. Because their symptoms often overlap, these conditions are tough to diagnose without a medical examination.
High vaginal pH that leads to bacterial vaginosis (BV) or another infection might produce the following symptoms:
Please note that, in some instances, women diagnosed with BV display none of the typical warning signs of infection.
The likelihood of contracting bacterial vaginosis increases under the following circumstances:
Complications arising from bacterial vaginosis are pretty rare, but it can negatively affect vaginal pH and increase your vulnerability to:
The presence of BV makes you more susceptible to contracting infections through unprotected sex like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, and herpes.
Recent studies have connected BV to a higher incidence of infection in the uterus and fallopian tubes which produces scarring and possible infertility.
When BV is contracted during pregnancy, it could potentially trigger premature delivery and low birth weight.
Serious medical issues may present themselves if you carry BV while undergoing gynecological surgery, such as a dilatation and curettage (D&C) or hysterectomy.
Vaginal pH is tested with a special type of paper called litmus paper, which changes color when exposed to an acidic or alkaline substance. Assuming normal vaginal pH, a piece of litmus paper would turn from blue to red when held against the vaginal wall for a few seconds, indicating its acidity.
Should you ever experience vaginal itching and burning, an unpleasant odor , or unusual discharge, it’s a good idea to test vaginal pH. Just keep in mind that these strips are not intended to check for infections or other conditions (e.g., HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis, or herpes).
It’s important to remember that vaginal pH irregularities do not necessarily indicate an infection. This can only be confirmed by a doctor through physical examination, microscopic observation of discharge, and perhaps a swab collection of bacterial or yeast samples.
If you test positive for high vaginal pH, please make an appointment with your doctor for further evaluation. There are currently no over-the-counter medications available to restore vaginal pH balance.
Alternatively, if you test negative for high vaginal pH, but symptoms persist, a vaginal infection may in fact be present. Double-check all fragrance-containing products you currently use and if the source of irritation cannot be identified, consult your doctor. They’ll be able to thoroughly assess vaginal health using medical and social history, physical exams, and lab tests.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, hepatitis, and HIV are transmitted through blood and bodily fluids during unprotected sex. It’s crucial to use a condom every time you engage in sexual activity.
The female body features remarkable natural defenses to ward off infections caused by bacteria, yeast, and other pathogens. One way it controls vaginal pH is with probiotic lactobacillus or healthy bacteria.
Probiotic-rich products include yogurt, kefir, chia seeds, and cottage cheese. Don’t imagine a boring diet — there may be plenty of tasty dishes!
Follow these simple steps to ensure healthy vaginal pH:
Any woman of childbearing age who is sexually active should get annual gynecological exams, which include a cervical screening and Pap test. Routine screenings catch abnormalities in cervical tissue when it’s more easily addressed. Early diagnosis and treatment of cervical, ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer can stack the odds in the patient’s favor.
The most effective approach to maintaining healthy vaginal pH is by taking all the necessary precautions outlined above and giving your vagina the TLC it deserves. If you can keep vaginal pH at a normal level, you’ll better protect yourself from potential infections and the unpleasant symptoms associated with them.
Dashboard
Publications
Account settings
Log out
Journal List
Diagnostics (Basel)
v.11(11); 2021 Nov
PMC8618584
Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Nov; 11(11): 1996.
Published online 2021 Oct 27. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11111996
1 Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; moc.liamg@9030421yggep (Y.-P.L.); moc.liamg@cinamsnoil (W.-C.C.); wt.ude.uhtn.xm@nimoahc (C.-M.C.)
2 Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyaun 333, Taiwan
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Received 2021 Sep 17; Accepted 2021 Oct 21.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
Keywords: vaginal pH, vaginitis, diagnosis, treatment
1. Larsen B. Vaginal flora in health and disease. Clin. Obstet. Gynecol. 1993; 36 :107–121. doi: 10.1097/00003081-199303000-00016. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
2. Carr P.L., Felse
Stocking Glamour Porn
Mom Daughter Shower
Xxx Little Gallery