Finding Your Perfect pH

The feminine hygiene aisle at your local big-box retailer contains an array of scented shower gels, deodorants, creams, and cleansing wipes all claiming to balance your vaginal pH and keep you smelling like daisies down there. However, using these products could actually be leaving our vaginas all the worse for wear.

Our vaginal ecosystem is complex, and changes to our intimate environment (which can be triggered by harsh vaginal hygiene products) can increase our chances of contracting infections or other health complications. This is why it’s so important to know how our daily routines and the products we use affect our vaginas and something called the vaginal microbiome.

Unsure of what a vaginal microbiome actually is? You’re definitely not alone there. Keep scrolling and we‘ll set the record straight on how changes in your vagina can affect you, and why you should pass on certain vaginal hygiene products.

We’ve all heard of the gut microbiome and the importance of taking care of our gut health, but what about the vaginal microbiome? And what is a microbiome, for that matter?

There are TRILLIONS of microscopic organisms that live in and on our bodies (mind blowing, right?). The collection of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms (collectively, we call them microbes) that live both inside and on us are called our microbiome. This gigantic microbiome can be further categorized into smaller ecosystems, such as the vaginal microbiome– which consists of the microbes that live inside our vaginas. Turns out it’s not as complicated as we thought!

The organisms living in our microbiomes tend to have a bad rap. Afterall, we’re familiar with the bacteria and fungi that we wash our hands and use sanitizing gels to ward off. However, many of the microbes in our vaginas actually protect us from illness too. 

Take lactobacilli for example. Making up the majority of microbes in our vaginal microbiome, these bacteria help us to maintain a healthy pH and trigger our immune systems to jump into action in the presence of unwelcome germs. 

Changes in our vaginal microbiome can occur throughout our menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause, and if we’re unwell. While our vaginal microbiomes are generally pretty resistant to change, oftentimes restoring their own balance after something has disrupted them, on occasion a loss of balance can snowball into something that requires support from a medical professional.

When microbes other than lactobacilli become more dominant in our vaginal microbiomes, or when foreign microbes find their way into our vaginas, this is when we can develop infections and begin to notice odors, pain, or itchiness downstairs.

Balance in your vaginal microbiome can be disturbed by many factors, but these are some of the most common:

The problem with many feminine hygiene products is that they’re too harsh for your vulva and vagina! If you’ve read Hormonally’s resource on what’s up down below, you’ll know that our vaginas are self-cleaning, and can manage their pH levels quite well on their own. In fact, you should only be using water and mild soaps when washing your downstairs area. 

Many feminine hygiene products claim to effectively kill the “bad” bacteria. And while they do get rid of the microbes in our vaginas that can lead to infections, they also reduce our lactobacilli levels.  Equally, some of these products also have a pH altering effect on our vaginas. Either way, these changes in our vaginal microbiomes impair our vaginal defenses and make it easier for unwanted germs to enter our vaginas, grow, and thrive. 

So, while you understandably will want to take any measure to ensure things don’t go downhill downstairs, you should pass on the numerous hygiene products that you can get over-the-counter.

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When lactobacilli becomes less dominant in our vaginal microbiomes, or when the pH in our vaginas change- for instance, as a result of feminine hygiene product use- this creates an ideal environment for the germs that cause infections to develop. 

Depending on which germ or germs have infected your vaginal microbiome, you may develop a number of conditions.  

These are some of the common conditions that can result when our vaginal microbiomes get thrown out of whack.

If you’re wondering what you can do to keep your vaginal microbiome in tip top shape, especially when most hygiene products are off the table, we’ve got you covered! Luckily, there are plenty of microbiome-friendly habits that we can incorporate into our lives to prevent infections on Hormonally’s resources on staying healthy down below!If you experience any of the symptoms above, or feel discomfort in or around your vagina, you should see your doctor.

You shouldn’t have to deal with discomfort downstairs, and a doctor can help you get to the bottom of your problem so you can find relief! 

Conversations about our vaginal microbiome can become confusing, but caring for your vulva and vagina is actually pretty straightforward. If you‘re feeling discombobulated by conflicting care advice remind yourself of the following: 

1. There are many microbes that are naturally present in your vagina. It’s the changes in the relative quantities of these living things that can lead you to develop infections.
2. The dynamics in your vaginal microbiome can change in response to many factors – some of which you have control over, but many of which you don’t. For the factors you can control, try out our tips and talk to your doctor about changes you can take to keep your vaginal microbiome in tip top shape. For the factors that are out of your control, knowing when you might be more vulnerable to downstairs disturbances can be helpful for staying on top of your symptoms and preventing infections from spreading.
3. Skip the scented sprays, wipes, and washes. Or at least get an expert’s opinion, as many over-the-counter feminine hygiene products could leave your vaginal microbiome more vulnerable to infections. Your doctor can separate the facts from fiction, and they might even point you towards a more helpful alternative.

At Hormonally, we want you to be able to put your best foof forward, so keep these details in mind and take care of the diversity downstairs!