What pH is, and why it matters
pH appears on every pack and is almost never explained. It's simply a number for how acidic or alkaline something is — and in the intimate area that number is part of the body's defence.
The right numbers
In the vagina during reproductive years, pH sits at roughly 3.8–4.5 — clearly acidic.
On the external skin it's a little higher, around 5. Both are more acidic than tap water and far more acidic than soap.
What keeps it there
Lactobacilli. They convert cellular glycogen into lactic acid and hold the environment acidic.
In that environment most unwanted bacteria struggle to multiply. It isn't a detail — it's the core protective mechanism.
What raises it
Menstruation (blood is around pH 7.4), semen, douching, soaps, some antibiotics, and falling oestrogen at menopause.
Most of those shifts are temporary. The problem comes when they repeat daily.
What it means when pH stays high
Raised pH is associated with bacterial vaginosis, with its characteristic odour and change in discharge. That needs a doctor and treatment.
Thrush, by contrast, often occurs at normal or even low pH — which is why self-diagnosis goes wrong so often.
What you can do
Don't wash internally. Clean externally, once a day, without soap.
Change out of wet clothes and choose cotton underwear. And don't chase absolute freshness: the body regulates it when you let it.
This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. For persistent or severe symptoms, please consult a doctor.
