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The normal pH level of the vagina is between 3.8 and 5. Doctors can take a vaginal pH measurement to determine how acidic the vaginal environment is. It is also possible to test this at home. In the vagina, a high pH may cause infections as it can allow bacteria and yeast to thrive. In this article, learn more about normal vaginal pH levels, how to test them at home, and what to do to restore vaginal pH balance. Typical vaginal pH level Share on PinterestClique Images/StocksyA normal vaginal pH is between 3.8 and 5. A pH level within this range can help to keep bacterial and fungal infections at bay. This range is moderately acidic. What is considered a “normal” vaginal pH level varies by age. A woman of reproductive age would have a normal vaginal pH between 4.0 to 4.5, while women who have yet to begin menstruating or who are postmenopausal may have a normal vaginal pH higher than 4.5 Lactobacilli bacteria live in the vagina and secrete lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which give the vagina its acidic pH level. Vaginal pH is usually less than 4.5 during a woman’s reproductive years unless a condition or infection raises it. What causes unbalanced vaginal pH Several conditions and infections can affect the vaginal pH balance, usually by increasing pH levels. Causes of changes in vaginal pH include the following: Bacterial vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis is a medical condition that occurs when too much bacteria is present in the vagina. This can cause an increase in vaginal pH levels. A person with bacterial vaginosis may experience itching, burning, or pain in the vagina. They may also feel a burning sensation when urinating and notice a white or gray discharge. Douching Douching refers to washing or cleaning the vagina using particular solutions, such as those containing vinegar or baking soda. These solutions claim to reduce vaginal odor, but, in fact, they may worsen the smell. This is because they wash out good bacteria, which affects the vaginal pH balance and can make someone more prone to infections. Menopause Vaginal pH levels can be an indication of menopausal status. Women who are postmenopausal may have a slightly higher vaginal pH than women of reproductive age. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may affect a person’s vaginal pH. Other vaginal infections The presence of infections other than bacterial vaginosis may also increase the vaginal pH. Examples include Trichomonas vaginalis and group B Streptococcus (GBS). Presence of menstrual blood Blood has a higher pH than the vaginal environment. When a person is menstruating, the presence of menstrual blood can increase vaginal pH levels. Presence of semen Semen is basic, which is the opposite of the vagina’s acidic environment. When semen enters the vagina, it may temporarily increase the pH. Taking antibiotics People use antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria, but these medications can kill good bacteria as well. This will include bacteria in the vagina. If a person is taking antibiotics, their vaginal pH may be out of balance. Urinary tract infections UTIs UTIs do not cause a higher vaginal pH, but having a high pH can increase a person’s risk of developing a UTI. Reduced estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can put a person at risk of developing more frequent UTIs, as lower estrogen allows the vaginal pH to rise. Doctors may prescribe estrogen treatments to lower the vaginal pH and to prevent further UTIs. Other conditions Researchers have also linked higher vaginal pH with several other conditions, including infertility, premature birth, and increased risks for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). How to maintain vaginal pH balance People can purchase home-testing kits that measure the pH balance of the vagina. These kits are available in some pharmacies and online. At-home testing can reveal elevated pH levels, which could indicate the presence of an infection. The test involves placing a strip of paper that measures pH against the wall of the vagina for a designated amount of time. After removing the paper, a person can compare the resulting color to those on a chart in the kit. Each color corresponds to a pH value. People should read all of the information that the test kit includes. This will include recommendations on the timing of the test, including not performing the test while menstruating or too soon after sex. If a person’s vaginal pH levels are routinely high without any symptoms of an infection, they can take several steps at home to reduce their pH levels. These include:Avoiding harsh soaps and douching. Soaps typically have a high pH, and using them to clean the vaginal area may increase vaginal pH. It is best to use warm water and a gentle cleanser to clean the vulva but to refrain from using soap inside the vagina. This will help to maintain the vaginal pH balance.Changing tampons regularly. Tampons should be changed every four to eight hours. This also helps reduces the risk of bacterial infections, including toxic shock syndrome (TSS).Using barrier protection during sex. Using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, not only helps to prevent pregnancy and STIs but can prevent semen and other fluids from affecting pH levels in the vagina.Avoiding scented feminine hygiene products. Sprays, bubble baths and scented pads or tampons can increase the risk of yeast infections which can impact the pH of the vagina. Doctors can also prescribe creams, such as estrogen cream, which may help to reduce the vagina’s pH levels. Summary Keeping vaginal pH levels in balance can help to reduce infections and prevent complications. Doctors rarely rely just on measurements of vaginal pH to diagnose medical conditions, such as yeast infections, or to determine whether or not someone is approaching menopause. However, vaginal pH tests can help to confirm a suspected diagnosis. People can take steps, such as using probiotic supplements and not douching, to help keep their vaginal pH levels balanced. Last medically reviewed on August 31, 2022Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / VirusesWomen's Health / GynecologyComplementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bacterial Vaginosis. (2022).https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/bacterial-vaginosisDouching. (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douchingKim JM, Park YJ. (2017) Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Vaginal Infections: Review Article.https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.2017.23.3.139Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ. (2021). Vaginal pH Value for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Vaginitis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618584/Miller, E. A., Beasley, D. E., Dunn, R. R., & Archie, E. A. (2016). Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: Why is the human vaginal microbiome unique? https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936/fullPreventing urinary tract infections: Frequently asked questions. (n.d.). https://www.acog.org/-/media/Departments/Toolkits-for-Health-Care-Providers/UTI-Toolkit/Preventing-UTIs-PDF_1.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20180716T1524393777The facts on tampons - and how to use them safely. (2020).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/facts-tampons-and-how-use-them-safelyVaginal pH. (2018). https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/InVitroDiagnostics/HomeUseTests/ucm126074.htmVaginal yeast infections. (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/vaginal-yeast-infectionsVulvovaginal health. (2022).https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Vulvovaginal-HealthFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on August 31, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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