pH is a scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. In human body, pH balance is referred to acid-base balance. The scale of pH balance ranges from 0-14, the most acidic measures as 0, neutral measures as 7 and most alkaline as 14.

However, the ideal acidic pH range for your intimate area is from 3.8 to 4.5. This acidic pH level enables the vagina to self-cleanse, it keeps bad bacteria away and creates an ideal environment for the good bacteria to flourish, which helps it to protect itself from the harmful microbes and infections.

How to know if there is imbalance in the pH level? The simple ways of understanding this is keep a check on the basic factors like Change in color or texture of discharge, change in odour of the discharge or discomfort and itching around the vulva and vagina.

Causes in the change of vaginal pH include Douching, Bacterial vaginosis, menopause, presence of menstrual blood or semen, antibiotics, UTI’s etc.

Here are some remedies that women should be aware of to maintain the pH balance:

1. Avoiding harsh soaps and douches:
   Soaps have higher pH level, using them to clean the vaginal area can cause imbalance in vaginal pH. It is best to use warm water along with mild intimate washes to clean the vulva, this will help maintain the pH balance.

2. Consider taking probiotics in regular diet:
   Probiotics are good and helpful bacteria especially for our digestive system. Probiotics contain live bacteria and yeasts that are good for health, not all bacteria are harmful. Probiotics are found in naturally fermented foods like plain yoghurt, kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut.

3. Changing tampons, sanitary napkins regularly:
   Blood has slightly high level of pH as it is basic in nature. Wearing a sanitary napkin or tampon for too long can cause bacterial infections. It is advisable to change them every four to five hours.

4. Using protections during intercourse:
   Using protections can not only prevent pregnancy and STIs but can also prevent semen and other fluids from affecting pH levels in the vagina.

5. Find ways to destress:
   Stress can affect all the facets of human body, including your vagina. Although stress is unavoidable but it is essential to keep yourself destressed to avoid the side effects of the stress hormones to vaginal pH. Incorporate few habits in your lifestyle like exercising or yoga, deep breathing, listening or playing music, indulge in favorite activities.

6. Check your innerwear:
   Your innerwear can affect your vaginal health in several ways. So it is advisable to change your innerwear if there is moisture build-up or irritation, wash them with hypoallergic detergent, go innerwear free during sleep time to avoid moisture build-up.

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