How to Maintain a Healthy Vaginal pH Balance: Tips for Optimal Comfort

You might have noticed that sometimes it feels itchy or uncomfortable down there, or your discharge changes. Often, this happens because your vaginal pH balance is off. As per research, your vagina likes to stay on the acidic side, around 4.5, to keep itself healthy. 

When this balance shifts, it can cause unwanted bacteria to grow, leading to annoying symptoms. Lots of things, like your period, hygiene habits, or infections, can affect this delicate balance. But don’t worry, there are easy, natural ways to keep your vaginal pH balance in check. 

Let’s walk through what vaginal pH is, why it matters, and simple steps you can take to keep things feeling just right.

Vaginal pH: What It Is & Why It Matters

Studies show that your vagina has its own ecosystem, and at the heart of it is something called vaginal pH. It’s a measure of how acidic or alkaline things are on a scale of 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic it is. For a healthy vagina, the sweet spot is somewhere between 3.8 and 5.0, which is moderately acidic.

Why? Because this acidic environment is what keeps things in check. It helps good bacteria (mostly a type called Lactobacilli) thrive, and makes it hard for harmful bacteria or fungi to grow. 

However, when that balance is disrupted, the acidity level drops, and your pH becomes more alkaline. This can be because of

• Antibiotic use
• Presence of menstrual blood
• Menopause
• Vaginal infections
• Excess cleaning or douching
• Unprotected sex
• Age-related hormonal shifts

In this alkaline environment, harmful bacteria can overgrow, and you might start noticing signs like unusual discharge, odour, or discomfort. 

Here’s How You Can Maintain a Healthy Vaginal pH Balance

1. Start with food that builds up the good bacteria.

If there’s one thing your vagina loves more than comfy cotton underwear, it’s lactobacilli. These little guys keep things fresh, healthy, and perfectly balanced down there. So, to build them up, eat more probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, or sauerkraut. You can also opt for probiotic supplements, especially ones made for vaginal health. Just check with your doctor if you’re on meds or have bleeding issues before taking any supplements.

You can even find probiotics in suppository form that go directly where they’re needed – in your vajayjay. But start with food, it’s a tasty first step!

2. Garlic is lowkey a vagina pH balance superhero

Turns out, garlic isn’t just for adding flavour to your pasta. It has natural bacteria-fighting powers because of a chemical compound called allicin. Some studies say that garlic supplements can be just as effective as antibiotics for managing vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis but with fewer side effects.

So, if you’re dealing with mild symptoms that indicate your vaginal pH balance is off, garlic tablets might be worth a try. 

3. Boric acid suppositories can be helpful

They might sound scary with a science-y name like boric acid, but these suppositories are a gentle, effective way to help your vagina bounce back when something feels off. They’ve been used for over 100 years to treat vaginal infections. They’re especially helpful if your symptoms are light and you want to try something before turning to antibiotics.

You can get them online or at the pharmacy. But again, chat with your doctor first, especially if this is your first time.

4. Stress = cortisol = pH imbalance. So destress!

You know how stress messes with your skin, sleep, and mood? Turns out, it messes with your vaginal balance too. When your stress hormone (cortisol) spikes, your good bacteria lose the balance to the bad bacteria.

So, find ways to unwind. Whether it’s a short walk, journaling, or just zoning out to your favorite comfort show, it actually helps your vagina feel more in sync.

5. Go easy with the cleaning of your vagina

The inside of your vagina cleans itself. You don’t need to do anything fancy. In fact, using scented washes, wipes, or douching can actually do more harm than good. Warm water on the outer area (your vulva) is more than enough. 

But if you do want a little extra care, choose something super gentle like Nua’s Intimate Wash or Intimate Wipes. They’re fragrance-free, pH-balanced, and designed to cleanse without leaving you feeling dry or irritated.

6. Choose your undies carefully

What you wear down there? It matters. That cute lacy pair may look great, but if it traps sweat or moisture, it might be time to switch it out for cotton. It is your best bet. It’s breathable and lets your skin chill.

Also, it’s super important to change your underwear if you feel sweaty or irritated. You can also try going commando at night to let some air in. Washing your undies with a gentle, hypoallergenic detergent also helps a lot.

7. Skip smoking, it’s not worth it

Smoking does a lot more than affect your lungs. It can also mess with your vaginal microbiome. Studies show that smokers often have fewer of the good bacteria, which makes it easier for infections to take over.

So if you’ve been thinking of quitting, consider this your sign. And if you need help, reach out to a doctor, join a support group, or explore apps designed to be there for you along the way.

8. Hydration, hydration, hydration

Water helps flush out toxins and keeps your body (including your vagina) feeling balanced. It also helps regulate your vaginal ecosystem. If you’re not drinking enough, things can start to feel off-balance.

Experts recommend around 2.7 to 3 litres of water a day for women. So keep that bottle close and sip throughout the day. 

9. Use protection if you’re sexually active

Semen has a higher pH than your vagina. That means after unprotected sex, things can feel off. Using barrier protection like condoms helps keep your pH in check. It also protects you from infections and other things you didn’t sign up for.

10. Your period products matter more than you think

What you use during your period doesn’t just affect comfort, it can also impact your vaginal health. Products that lock in moisture, have artificial fragrances, or feel plasticky can sometimes throw off your balance and lead to irritation.

That’s why Nua’s pads and liners are made to do better. They are made without harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, or plastic-y top layers. They’re soft, breathable, and designed to keep your skin calm and your balance intact.

When & How to Test Your Vaginal pH Balance 

A vaginal pH test isn’t a fancy medical exam. It’s more like a self-check, one that takes just a minute and tells you a little about what’s going on down there.

You might want to try it if:

• Something smells off (not your usual scent)
• You’re noticing more discharge, or it looks/feels different
• Things feel itchy, irritated, or inflamed

Most at-home kits come with a tiny swab and a colour chart. You gently place the swab against the wall of your vagina (no need to go digging deep), let it pick up some secretions, then match the colour on the swab to the chart. It’s that simple!

But keep in mind that it’s not a replacement for seeing your doctor. It’s just a useful first step. If your results are off or your symptoms stick around, definitely circle in a date to see your gynae.

pHinal Thoughts

Your vagina usually knows how to care for itself, but sometimes it just needs a little backup. A healthy pH balance is at the heart of keeping things comfy, calm, and drama-free in and around your vagina. And while you don’t need to obsess over it, giving your body a little love through mindful habits (and knowing when to check in) can go a long way.

Got a go-to tip for keeping things balanced? Drop it in the comments, we’re all ears!