Have you been feelin’ a little itchy down there? Are you sniffing out an unpleasant odor that sticks around, even after showering? Both odor and itch are key signs your female pH balance is off. FYI: You’re not alone! Turns out pH probs are very common but not common in everyday conversation.
Flashback to science class when your teacher talked about the pH level of things and you wondered when you were going to use the information in real life? Well, now is the time!
A round of applause for science!
The health of your lady garden relies heavily on pH levels. When the pH balance in the female body is off, it can result in itchy or dry intimate skin, a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, neither of which is very pleasant to experience.
so, what is female pH balance?
Here’s a quick refresher if you weren’t paying close attention in science class that day: scientifically, the pH level of something determines how acidic or basic it is. On a scale of 1-14, 7 is neutral, anything below 7 is considered acidic, and anything above 7 is considered basic.
To fully grasp the female pH balance, you must first become familiar with your vulva anatomy. Your vulva is the all-in-one-term for the external parts of your lady area. A healthy pH level for your vulva (external skin) is 4.7--somewhere between the acidity of tomato juice and black coffee.
Your vagina is the internal part of your lady area that works as a passway to your uterus. A healthy pH level for your vagina (internal canal) is between 3.5 and 4.5--somewhere between orange juice and tomato juice.
A healthy female pH balance takes into consideration the levels of both the internal and external parts of your lady garden.
so, how do you achieve pH balance in the female body?
Women of all ages can and should take action to maintain a healthy female pH balance. By incorporating a lady parts-focused self-care routine into your everyday life, you can keep your levels right where they’re supposed to be.
This healthy routine consists of staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, consuming foods with probiotics like yogurt, using a condom during sex, and washing your lady parts with a gentle feminine probiotic wash. It is very important to not use harsh, scented soap down there, it seriously can throw off your levels. Other things that can throw them off are an unhealthy diet, increased stress, and excessive moisture or heat (often from leaving sweaty workout clothes on too long).
pH balance affects all of us! Luckily, optimal pH balance in the female body is within reach for all women/nonbinary people.