It’s normal to have questions about things like vaginal odor and vaginal pH. Sometimes everyone has questions that come up about things like this. The important thing is to make sure you’re getting answers to those questions. The longer you let yourself stress over them the longer you’re going to be frustrated and uncomfortable.
The good news is we can answer some of those questions for you. We spend a lot of time making sure we get you reliable information to the questions you might not want to ask out loud. Even though vaginal odor or pH isn’t something to be ashamed of, it can be uncomfortable to actually ask the questions sometimes.
So, let’s take a look at five common questions about both vaginal odor and vaginal pH. What are people asking? What are the answers to those questions? Let’s talk about it right now.
1. What Is A healthy Vaginal pH?
A healthy vaginal pH is going to depend on things like where you are in your menstrual cycle or if you’re post menopausal. In general you can expect your pH level to be between 4.0 to 4.5 if you test your vaginal pH level. It might be a little higher if you’ve gone through menopause.
If your vaginal pH is thrown off it can result in yeast infections or even BV. It’s best to avoid things like douching which can really cause more harm than good. The more you let your vagina do its own thing the more you can expect that your vaginal pH is going to remain balanced.
2. Why Is My Vaginal Odor Worse Than Usual?
This can depend on a lot of different things. Are you working out more than you used to? Have you had more sex recently? Sweat can make things down there smell stronger than usual. It’s not a harmful thing usually, it might just mean you need to rinse off down there after you get good and sweaty.
However, if you notice you have a stronger odor than usual, and also have other symptoms like itching or discharge, it’s time to talk to a doctor. They’ll be able to test you for things like STDs to make sure you’re okay. They can also prescribe the treatment needed if something is found when they test you.
3. Does HPV Cause Vaginal Odor?
HPV usually doesn’t cause much of a change in vaginal odor. It can be hard to detect which is part of why regular trips to your gyno can be so important for your health. HPV may not cause vaginal odor you can notice until it’s gone untreated and advances to other things like cervical cancer.
This isn’t meant to scare you. Just make sure you’re seeing your gyno for check ups as often as you should. Don’t skip that exam even if it isn’t very fun. It can be the difference between early detection and letting something get too advanced to treat. Take care of yourself and go in for your exams on time.
4. Can Antibiotics Change Your Vaginal Odor Or pH?
Antibiotics can change both your vaginal odor and your vaginal pH. It’s not a great side effect of antibiotics but it is one most women will deal with in their lifetime. The best thing you can do is take probiotics and even consider using something like VeeCleanse after finishing your course of treatment.
VeeCleanse is a boric acid supplement that can help restore your vaginal pH. Since antibiotics can change your vaginal pH, having a plan for afterwards doesn’t hurt. If you’re wondering if your doctor is ok with it, just ask. Most of them are, but you can discuss the pros and cons with them.
5. What Helps Maintain A Healthy Vaginal pH?
You don’t have to do much to maintain your Vee. The good news here is your vagina is great at maintaining itself. Just use gentle soap and water on the external area (your labia, for example) and you should be good to go. If you’re worried about on the go cleaning, the right feminine wipes are okay to use as well.
Related: 5 Feminine Products That Won’t Change Your Vaginal pH
Final Thoughts
Having questions is never something to be ashamed of. It just means you are curious and want answers. Make sure you’re seeking those answers out from reliable sources. Your doctor or other great places who back up their info. If an answer sounds suspicious, keep digging until you’re satisfied.
Remember that we’ll always be here to help you find those answers too. You are not alone in wanting this info, so keep asking. We love to help you stay as fabulous as possible!
Sarah Nelson is a nurse with 15 years of experience working with a variety of patients. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing and has spent a large portion of her career working exclusively with women in an OB/GYN setting.
Nursing is a passion for Sarah but she also enjoys writing and sharing her expertise online with people who need helpful information. Treating patients well and helping them learn more about their own bodies is a key essential to a healthy lifestyle that Sarah truly believes in.