Some women suffer from a problem of vaginal acidity sometimes, and for this reason they may feel anxious, because this problem may affect their ability to conceive. In this article, we review everything related to this problem and its impact on pregnancy, how it may be related to the type of fetus, and how it can be treated, so follow us.

What is the acidity of the vagina?

It is the ratio that expresses the percentage of acids in the vaginal area, and the vaginal area is one of the acidic areas in the body. The acidity of the vagina is measured by pH, which is the scale that determines the ratio of acidity and alkalinity in general.

The closer the pH is to zero, the greater the percentage of acids, and the closer it is to seven, the less acidic it becomes, until it is equal to number seven, at which point the medium becomes neutral, and if it is more than seven, it becomes alkaline.

The balance of vaginal acidity is very important, because it helps to maintain the health of the vagina and protect it from harmful bacteria and fungi, and the higher the acidity, the more vulnerable the vagina becomes to harmful bacteria.

Symptoms of vaginal acidity

In the case of a balanced acidic environment in the vagina, the vagina is at its best, but an imbalance in vaginal acidity and a high pH may lead to a number of symptoms of increased vaginal acidity, which are:

• A foul-smelling discharge from the vagina that smells like fish.
• Some secretions coming out of the vagina, these secretions may appear in different colors such as white, gray or green.
• Feeling of vaginal itching.
• swollen vagina
• Feeling a burning sensation when urinating.
• Pain or burning when having sex.

The higher the pH, the lower the concentration of vaginal acids, and thus it becomes susceptible to diseases such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or vaginal yeast infection.

Causes of acidity of the vagina

As we mentioned, the acidic environment is suitable for the health of the vagina, but this acidic environment may be disturbed as a result of the pH imbalance, which may occur for several reasons, including:

• Menstrual cycle, as menstrual blood is slightly alkaline.
• Taking certain medications, especially antibiotics, that may cause vaginal alkalinity.
• Using lubricants, which make the vagina more alkaline.
• Using a vaginal douche (vaginal douche).
• Sperm, which is alkaline, affects the acidity of the vagina.
• menopause.
• Presence of infection in the vagina such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
• Urinary tract infection.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.

Vaginal acidity analysis

The vaginal pH test detects the pH, in order to measure the acidity inside the vagina, and this test can be done at home through a home test or by doing the test in the doctor’s office.

Vaginal acidity meter

Devices can be divided into home devices and those in the doctor’s office:

Homemade acidity bar

It is a strip that is placed on the vaginal wall in order to measure the acidity, and although the home test may be similar to the test that the doctor performs, it may be wrong sometimes.

After the test, the color of the strip is compared to the color strip attached to the strip. It should be noted that a higher pH than normal does not mean that you are suffering from infection, as it may rise for other normal reasons.

Physician’s acidity detection strip

It is a strip completely similar to the home strip, except that the doctor may use the test through a microscope in order to detect any type of infection, or a Gram stain can be used to detect infection.

Normal vaginal pH

The normal degree of acidity should be between 3.8 – 4.5 on the strip, and with age and approaching menopause, it may reach 5.

Vaginal acidity and pregnancy

There is a close relationship between the level of acidity in the vagina and pregnancy, whether before or after its occurrence. The acidity can affect the pregnancy process itself, and can lead to problems later in pregnancy. We will explain the relationship between them in the following paragraph:

Vaginal acidity and delayed pregnancy

High acidity can cause a woman’s fertility to decrease. Although sperm need an alkaline environment to survive, a change in the environment of the vagina may lead to a change in the cervix, and this change may cause pregnancy to fail.

Vaginal acidity can cause bacterial vaginosis, which is a condition that may affect sperm, cervix, and fallopian tubes, thus reducing fertility and chances of pregnancy.

Acidity of the vagina and gender of the fetus

There are some studies that have been conducted on different animals, such as cows and mice, to study the relationship and the effect between vaginal acidity and the type of fetus. There was no immediate effect of changing the acidity on the type of fetus.

And in a study that was done with what is known as the Shettles method for selecting the sex of the fetus, there was an indication that changing the acidity of the vagina may affect the sex of the fetus, in addition to some other factors.

Despite this, in a number of studies there was a conflict about the results of the studies, as some were against this theory, and others were in favor of it, so it is not possible to be certain about the association of the type of fetus with vaginal acidity.

Acidity of the vagina and pregnancy bold

According to Shettles’ theory, the chances of conceiving a boy are greater when the environment of the vagina and the cervix are alkaline, in addition to other important factors such as the time of intercourse, as it is preferable to have intercourse at the time of ovulation and in the days following it.

He also pointed out the importance of the shape of the sperm, as the sperm with a round head can help in obtaining a male fetus, but as we mentioned, these theories are still in doubt, and more studies are needed to prove and confirm them.

How do I get rid of acidity of the vagina?

Many women ask how to reduce the acidity of the vagina? The treatment simply depends on treating the cause of the pH imbalance that led to the acidity imbalance in the vagina, but you can do the following:

• Not using a vaginal douche.
• Not wearing tight clothes.
• Have your partner put a condom on.
• And be sure to see your doctor.

Treating vaginal acidity with medication

You can treat the pH imbalance and its rise by treating the pathological conditions that cause vaginal acidity, such as vaginitis, especially bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. These conditions are treated with antibiotics, which may also cause an imbalance in the vaginal environment, but they are important for treatment. The following antibiotics:

• Clindamycin for the treatment of bacterial infections.
• Metronidazole to treat bacterial infections or trichomoniasis.
• Tinidazole to treat bacterial infections or trichomoniasis.

Treating vaginal acidity with herbs

The acidic balance of the vagina can be restored by using garlic tablets, as it has been proven to have an effective role in treating cases of vaginitis, and thus can help restore balance. Some other herbs can help treat bacterial vaginosis, such as:

• tea tree oil
• thyme.

Eating probiotics can also help restore balance, and eating yogurt can help restore a healthy acidic environment.

Foods that increase the alkalinity of the vagina

It is not preferable to increase the alkalinity of the vagina, as the healthy environment of the vagina is acidic, but if you are looking for foods that help maintain the balance of the vagina and help you get pregnant, you can eat the following:

• Sweet potatoes, as they help increase fertility.
• Avocado, as it may help increase fertility.

You can also eat red berry juice, apples, and leafy vegetables to increase vaginal health and balance, and avoid sugars, processed foods, and rice to avoid infection.

Now, at the end of our article about vaginal acidity and how it can affect you, remember that it is important to consult a doctor in case you suspect that you are suffering from a problem, and that herbs should not be used without consulting your doctor, and to ensure that they are safe for your condition, and in the end we wish you all health and wellness .