vaginal pH

What is pH? The pH of a medium is the concentration of hydrogen ions it contains. A neutral pH is equal to 7, that which is below 7 is an acidic pH and that which is above an alkaline pH.

What is vaginal pH and how does it change

During childhood and until puberty the pH of the vagina is neutral, around 7. During reproductive age this pH decreases and becomes more acidic (between 4 and 5) and later during menopause it returns to a neutral pH. In women of childbearing age during menstruation, the vagina becomes more alkaline due to the effect of the pH of the blood, which is basic and the maximum acidity occurs in the premenstrual phase.

The vagina has three defense mechanisms

–Physical barrier: the cells that are shedding from the vagina carry the germs in such a way that it is more difficult for them to colonize the other cells. –Immune barrier: presence of antibodies in the layers of the vagina that neutralize some of the germs that try to attack it. –Endogenous flora: basically Döderlein bacilli that produce lactic acid that lowers vaginal pH.

The acidity of the environment is a form of defense of the vagina to prevent infections by germs. Therefore, situations that alter the pH in turn favor infections. To maintain the acidic pH of a "healthy" vagina, the mucosa is colonized by lactobacilli or Döderlein bacilli, which produce lactic acid. From the glycogen of the lining cells of the vagina. When lactobacilli decrease, the vaginal pH increases and therefore the tendency to infection and discomfort.

To avoid changes in vaginal pH, intimate hygiene soaps appropriate to each age range should be used, avoid excessive vaginal washing, as well as the indiscriminate use of tampons during menstruation.

How to keep it in balance

When an antibiotic treatment occurs, it can make the lactobacilli in the vagina disappear or decrease and therefore an alkalosis in the vagina that favors the appearance of new infections. To restore the flora as soon as possible can be administered:

–Probiotics: foods with live microorganisms that will recolonize the affected mucous membranes. We can find probiotics in certain foods such as fermented milk (yogurt) or in food supplement-type preparations. –Prebiotics: foods with substances, basically carbohydrates, that serve as food for beneficial bacteria for our body. Many prebiotics are part of foods such as fruits, vegetables, cereals and legumes among others.

REMEMBER THAT:

• Situations that alter the vaginal pH in turn favor infections.
• To avoid changes in vaginal pH, appropriate intimate hygiene soaps should be used for each age, avoid excessive vaginal washing, and the indiscriminate use of tampons.
• To restore the flora as soon as possible, probiotics and prebiotics can be administered.

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