What Should Your Vaginal pH Be?

Your vaginal pH plays a very important role in keeping your body healthy and balanced. A vaginal pH of 3.5 to 4.5 is ideal for beneficial bacteria and creates a hostile environment for pathogenic bacteria. Healthy pH helps beneficial bacteria to thrive and inhibits overgrowths of yeast and pathogenic bacteria.

When pH becomes elevated, the environment shifts in favor of the pathogenic bacteria. This can allow pathogenic bacteria to cause odor, irritation and infection. Elevated pH is one of the key factors doctors look for when diagnosing vaginal infections. Maintaining vaginal pH within the healthy range can help reduce risk of vaginal odor and discomfort.