Restore Vaginal PH Balance Naturally

To have a healthy vagina a woman needs to maintain a certain level of pH in the vagina. There are so many factors which can play a key role in the maintenance of the pH level and the factors can be either environmental or natural; these factors could lead a woman to experience various problems like burning, itching and change in the discharge from the vagina.

There are certain steps which you can follow to keep your vaginal pH level balanced and to do this you should have a clear knowledge of the pH scale and how it is connected to your body. 

Normal vaginal pH range

You might be knowing that the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14; a pH value which goes below 7 is said to be acidic in character and when the pH value is above 7 it is said to be alkaline or basic. The normal pH of the value of the vagina is said to be between 3.8 to 4.5 so we can consider that pH of the vaginal is slightly acidic.

This acidic nature of the vagina acts as a natural defense mechanism against the bacterial growth inside the vagina. You can experience a sudden growth in the number of bacteria inside the vagina, when the pH goes above 7 or it becomes alkaline.

There are various signs and issues which arise when the pH of the vagina becomes alkaline. Some of them are mentioned below: 

• The texture and color of the discharge starts to change: A normal and healthy woman will experience or notice whitish discharge but when there is any kind of alteration in the pH the color would change to yellow or gray with a texture resembling a cottage cheese.
• The vulva and vagina start to feel discomfort and itching around it: There are a lot of problems experienced by the woman around the opening of the vagina and these problems could be itching. You can also experience discomfort and burning sensation while peeing and while doing intercourse.
• There is change in the odor of the discharge: A woman experiences a little smell in the discharge and in most cases the discharge is odorless but when there is a change in the pH you may experience a foul, strong or fishy smell.
• A woman may have certain problems arising due to alkaline vagina like bacterial vaginosis (VB) or yeast infection.
• There are a lot of ways which can help you to restore the increased pH level of the vagina:
• When you start to feel that the pH of the vagina is not in order or you are experiencing certain symptoms of it then you can follow various natural remedies which help you regain the normal vaginal pH level.
• You need to consult a doctor when there is no relief from the natural remedies or when you are experiencing severe symptoms.

Some natural remedies that you can follow are given below: 

You can start using boric acid suppositories: The boric acid has been used for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis for a long period of time. Boric acid is said to be very affordable and easily accessible. The effectiveness and efficiency of boric acid is still needed to be found out, but when the symptoms are mild you may use boric acid before you consider using any other remedy like antibiotics

You should increase the amount of probiotics in your diet: Your vaginal pH can be balanced when lactobacillus bacteria are present in abundant amounts inside the vagina. They are also known as the 'good bacteria' as these play a great role in fighting off the infection. These lactobacillus bacterias are found in significant amount in the probiotic food supplements and this can be consumed in various ways like: 

• intravaginally
• supplements to be consumed orally
• probiotic food products like kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt or kimchi
• You should try to distress yourself: All the human facets are affected a lot because of stress which includes the vaginal health as well. This is a condition which cannot be avoided but you can follow certain ways which will help you manage this condition and prevent your health (which includes pH of the vagina) from the negative effects of the stress hormones. Certain ways which will help you reduce stress are given below:
• Playing or listening to your favorite music
• You should focus on activities which you like
• Deep breathing and meditation
• You should exercise regularly
• You should stop or reduce your smoking: Women who are smoking more oftenly are more likely to develop this problem of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and it is also known that nonsmokers have a larger amount of lactobacillus bacteria than that of smokers and lactobacillus plays a vital role in keeping the vagina healthy. You can also opt for certain medications and therapies which will help you cut back the smoking.
• You should pay attention to how you clean your vagina and the vulva: Vagina is known to self clean itself without any exception but when you are suffering from yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, these symptoms could demand you to apply cleaning products which have fragrance. It is also a known fact that douching leads a woman to become vulnerable to bacterial vaginosis. You should avoid using cleaning products which have fragrance or scented products like tampons or sanitary pads and douching too as these products are known to increase the pH of the vagina abruptly.
• While performing sex you should opt for barrier methods: Semen's affect on the vagina is said to alkalizing and when the vagina is exposed to semen more oftenly it increases the risk fo bacterial vaginosis. You need to reduce the effect and contact of the semen in the vaginal flora through the application of condoms while having sex and you can also use fingers cots and dental dams which will prevent your vagina from getting in contact with any kind of bacteria during the time of sex. 

Conclusion

When the pH of the vagina is out of control it will lead to certain problems like bacterial vaginosis which occurs due to the enhanced growth of specific bacterias in the region. To get away from this kind of problem, there are so many natural ways available which will help you to get relieved from this problem. In case, the symptoms start to become severe you should consult with a health provider immediately.