Keeping your vaginal pH balance is key to maintaining a happy and healthy vagina. When you really think about it, your lady bits are kind of like The Incredible Hulk -- okay, so maybe not in the muscular and green kind of way (we hope?), but in a “you won’t like her when she’s angry” kind of way.
Unfortunately, there are many things that can make your vagina angry. The good thing is, it’s not too hard to stay in her good graces.
First Things First. What Is Vaginal pH?
Did you know that your vagina has a natural mechanism for protection against infections and bad bacteria? Yup, it’s true-- and it’s called your vaginal pH balance.
A healthy level of vaginal pH is between 3.8 and 4.5, which is moderately acidic. However, what constitutes a “normal” pH level can vary slightly based on your stage of life. For instance, during your reproductive years, your vaginal pH should be below or equal to 4.5. But before menstruation and after menopause, a healthy vaginal pH tends to be higher than 4.5.
When your vaginal pH is out of whack, it puts you at risk for many icky infections, such as:
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): BV is the most common type of vaginal infection and occurs when the vaginal flora -- the “good” bacteria inside the vagina -- aren’t as plentiful, and “bad” bacteria take over. This frustrating condition isn’t harmful on its own but can lead to more serious conditions like HIV or HPV.
- Yeast Infection: A little bit of yeast is always present and perfectly normal in a healthy vagina, but when the “good” bacteria is out of balance, the yeast can grow like wildfire, resulting in a pesky yeast infection.
- Trichomoniasis: This common sexually transmitted disease (STD) tends to affect women more than men and often doesn’t present with any symptoms. It’s caused by a tiny parasite that thrives in acidic environments and is transferred to the vagina through sexual activity.
Needless to say, keeping your delicate pH balance is key to a healthy and happy vagina!
So -- How Do You Keep Your Vaginal pH Balanced?
Now that we’ve covered pH balance let’s talk about some of the best things you can do to keep your vaginal health in check.
Don’t Douche. Ever.
We all love smelling ‘summery fresh’ down below, but ladies -- put the douche down. Despite what many people may think, douching is really harmful to the vagina.
You see, vaginas are truly amazing organs. Not only do they help bring life into this big beautiful world (as if that wasn’t enough), but they also do a fabulous job keeping themselves clean. And they do this by balancing healthy bacteria and pH levels on their own -- no douching needed.
Douching actually eliminates some of that "good" bacteria, which alters the pH and makes you more susceptible to -- you guessed it -- infections.
Skip the douche and reach for a pH Balancing Cleanser like the one from Love Wellness, made with clean, good-for-you ingredients that maintain vaginal pH levels and good bacteria during cleansing.
Check Your Lube
Lube is amazing. It can really take sex up a notch for everyone involved. Still, there are some iffy ingredients that aren’t very healthy for your body.
Glycerin, for one, is related to sugar. While it does wonders to keep lubricants moist, it can also contribute to bacterial growth in the vagina. Petroleum products are also no-nos because they can ruin your vagina/s natural pH level -- not good!
Other things you may want to avoid:
- Scents
- Flavored lube
- Nonnatural oils
- Parabens
- Dyes
Look for a great personal lubricant like Sex Stuff from Love Wellness. It’s totally free of bad ingredients like glycerin and parabens and is made with soothing aloe and lots of love.
Use The Killer From Love Wellness
Last on the list but certainly not least, one surefire way to keep your vaginal health in check is with The Killer from Love Wellness -- your vagina’s new best friend, a.k.a. boric acid suppositories.
Boric acid is a “weak” yet powerful acid that has been used for decades to help maintain the normal pH of the vagina and to treat a number of frustrating medical conditions, such as yeast infections, BV, and trichomoniasis. There are many different boric acid products on the market, but when it comes to women’s health, The Killer from Love Wellness is superior.
Why? Because it’s manufactured in an FDA-registered facility and made with pharmaceutical-grade boric acid, which, if you ask us, is pretty important considering when we’re putting it! What’s more, these powerful suppositories aren’t made with any questionable chemicals you wouldn’t want in your body -- let alone your vagina.
Developed by a doctor, The Killer is the original boric acid suppository -- often imitated but never duplicated -- and can be used either on the spot as needed or for a few days in a row.
A Final Word
You may go your whole life without ever getting a vaginal infection, pH imbalance, or other issues. Or you might get them all the time. Ultimately, it’s about figuring out what works best for you (and her) so that you feel comfortable and confident.
Think your vagina might be off-balance? The Killer from Love Wellness can help --a simple but powerful single-ingredient solution for maintaining healthy levels of vaginal yeast and bacteria.
Here at Love Wellness, we believe in clean science-backed ingredients that actually work. Whether you’re struggling with a yeast overload or simply looking to freshen up down below -- we’ve got your back.
Sources:
Vaginal pH balance: Normal levels and natural remedies | Medical News Today
STD Facts - Trichomoniasis | CDC
Improving Sexual Health: Vaginal Lubricants, Moisturizers, Dilators & Counseling | UMICH.edu