Do pH Balance Pills Work?
Research funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health shows that probiotics improve gut health, boost your immune response, and can help treat and prevent several health conditions [6]. However, studies regarding probiotics for vaginal odor and other signs of pH imbalance are ongoing.
Probiotics for bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that occurs due to an overgrowth of bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella. These microorganisms outnumber lactobacilli (beneficial bacteria) and lead to a pH imbalance that causes a bacterial infection. Various independent studies suggest that vaginal probiotics can ease discomfort caused by bacterial vaginosis. [1].
A 2012 study conducted on women with a vaginal pH of more than 4.5 revealed that a mixture of probiotic lactobacilli helped reduce the vaginal pH to normal levels [7].
Another study conducted in 2014 showed that oral administration of probiotics such as L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and L. fermentum at a dose of 10 colony-forming units per day for two months lowered vaginal pH levels. These results show that probiotics may help treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis and optimize vaginal health [8].
However, few studies are available to prove these effects. Further research is required to confirm the efficacy of probiotics for pH balance.
Probiotics for yeast infection
Yeast infections stem from a pH imbalance and develop when a fungus called Candida overpowers healthy bacteria in the vagina. Candida species, such as Candida albicans, naturally occur in the vagina. However, a pH imbalance can cause its overgrowth [1].
Lab studies in vaginal and cervical cells show that probiotics for yeast infection, including L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus, effectively inhibit Candida species. They also have protective effects on vaginal cells [9]. However, further research is warranted to understand the efficacy of probiotics on the human body.
The preferred treatment for vaginal pH imbalance
The effectiveness of probiotics for pH balance may vary from person to person, depending on the dose, administration, and type of probiotics. Due to the lack of sufficient data in humans, it is also unclear whether orally administered probiotics help repair pH imbalance in the vagina as effectively as suppositories.
Doctors typically use antibiotics and antifungal medications as the first line of treatment for bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection, respectively. They may prescribe probiotic pH balance pills in conjunction with antimicrobial medication, which can be a more holistic solution for vaginal pH imbalance. However, probiotics are not yet used as the primary treatment [10].
If you wish to try pH balance pills, talk to your doctor before starting the supplements. They can help you decide whether you need them, and they may increase the dose over time if required.
How To Balance Vaginal pH Naturally
Apart from using pH balance pills such as probiotics or vaginal health vitamins, you can maintain a healthy vaginal pH by following these tips [11]:
- Wear clean and loose cotton underwear to let your skin breathe.
- Avoid unprotected sex, and use condoms and barrier methods.
- Practice good hygiene to keep the vulva clean and dry.
- Avoid douching, as it can affect the natural balance of vaginal microbes.
- Monitor your pH balance with a vaginal pH test.
- Visit your gynecologist for regular checkups.
Learn more about lifestyle tips to prevent vaginal yeast infections in this blog.
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Test Your pH Balance With Vaginox pH Strips
Probiotics and vitamins for vaginal health may not be an effective solution for all, and you should consider taking such supplements only if you monitor your pH balance regularly and notice any imbalance. If you suspect your pH balance is not optimal, you can use vaginal pH test strips, such as the Vaginox pH test, for confirmation.
Vaginox vaginal pH test is an easy-to-use vaginal screening test you can perform at home. It helps you determine the pH level of vaginal fluid within 30 seconds. The test kit also has resources to help you interpret the results and check for vaginal infections based on your symptoms. If the test results show that the pH is not balanced, consult your doctor to check if you need to make lifestyle changes or start taking probiotics.
Buy a Vaginox pH test kit today to start monitoring your vaginal pH and maintain a healthy vagina.
