Your vagina contains a whopping 50+ species of microbes, so it’s not totally shocking that the environment can change in a heartbeat. Anything from high temperatures, too much moisture, tight pants, and sex (especially!) can mess with those microbes. BV (bacterial vaginosis) is the most common vaginal infection in young women (1). It’s usually characterized by a decrease in the lactobacilli population and increase in bad microbes. Candida, or vaginal yeast infections, and UTis are also super common.
pH Levels
The pH level in a healthy vagina is anywhere between 3.8 and 4.5, making it moderately acidic. Women who have vaginal infection tend to have a pH higher than 4.5 (2). UTIs are often determined by alkaline urine (lacking in acidity). Your period can cause pH to change because it’s usual somewhere between 7.35 and 7.45. Semen is also alkaline, with a pH of 7.2 to 7.8, so intercourse can definitely impact the balance if you’re not wearing a condom (3).
Best Probiotics for pH balance
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
All of these species of Lactobacillus are dominate in a healthy vagina, along with a few other species. We like to isolate these specifically because of their potential to produce something called bacteriocins, which slow the growth of bad bacteria you see from conditions like BV (1). You want to look for a probiotic that contains these strains of bacteria, along with a prebiotic so said bacteria has something to feed on. If you’re trying to help pH balance with an oral probiotic, make sure it has several billion CFUs (colony forming units). It will have to survive stomach acid and bile in order to help with vaginal health. Lucky for you, BINTO has all the above.
Resources:
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662373/
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1045744/
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9675619