Experiencing vaginal infections, menstrual cycle cramps, viral illnesses, abnormal sensitivity, inflammation, and acne could be signs that your vaginal pH balance is off. Various parts of our body require different pH ranges to operate optimally.
A shift in this balance, whether it becomes overly acidic or alkaline, may lead to ill health. This shift often creates an environment that inhibits beneficial organisms and encourages harmful ones.
Ill Effects of pH Imbalance
If pH imbalance persists, it can lead to diseases. The issues are not confined to vaginal health alone. The imbalance has been associated with severe conditions such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and even strokes.
Before such problems arise, it's crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and exercise. Simple modifications can make a significant difference in maintaining the overall health of your body, including your vaginal health.
When one part of your body shows signs of pH imbalance, it is likely that other parts are also imbalanced. If you're experiencing symptoms that suggest your vaginal pH is unsettled, consider it a strong sign that you need to make holistic changes.
Addressing only the immediate condition without managing the underlying cause, such as imbalanced pH levels, could lead to:
- The need for stronger and less natural treatments, which often carry unwanted side effects.
- Recurrence of the condition, sometimes rapidly after stopping the medication.
- Other health issues, either presently or in the future, as a result of the imbalance.
How to Restore pH Balance
Imbalanced pH often stems from imbalanced dietary inputs. Consuming an excess of one type of food, resulting in a deficiency or suppression of a necessary nutrient, can cause this. The effects are compounded if the excess food is not beneficial to your health.
To help restore your body's, and consequently your vagina's pH balance, consider the following changes:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet can encourage healthy bacteria that help control pH levels. Consider foods like kale, spinach, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, beets, and raspberries.
- Multivitamins: While getting vitamins and minerals from food is ideal, most of us fail to get enough nutrition from our daily diets. A multivitamin with essential nutrients can boost healthy bacteria and restore pH balance.
- Daily Oral Probiotic Lactobacillus: Pro-B and other natural probiotic products can help maintain a normal lactobacilli count in the vagina.
- Coconut and Tea Tree Oil: Soak a non-applicator tampon in natural coconut oil and insert it into your vagina at night. You can also use Tea Tree essential oil, known for treating yeast infections and maintaining vaginal pH balance. Add about 10 drops of it to a sitz bath.
- Distilled Vinegar Solution: Wash your vagina with a mixture of one tablespoon of vinegar and a quart of water. Use a squirt bottle to apply the solution around the vagina.
- Comfortable Clothing: Synthetic and tight clothing can affect the vagina's pH balance. Opt for cotton undergarments and loose-fitting clothes.
Other factors, such as hormonal imbalances and irritating soaps or products, can also disrupt the vagina's pH balance. If you notice abnormal discharges or a bad odor from the vagina, it's essential to restore your pH balance promptly to prevent further complications.
