Your vaginal pH can change for a variety of reasons. From pregnancy to infections there are a lot of explanations for a sudden shift in your vaginal pH. A lot of women wonder if this constant shifting can cause BV. That’s why we want to go over what kind of vaginal pH shift can cause BV and what can’t.
The truth is some shifts do leave you more vulnerable to BV but that doesn’t mean every shift in vaginal pH is going to be an issue. Your vagina is very good at taking care of itself and can often restore normal pH balances without you doing anything at all. So does shifting vaginal pH cause BV? Let’s take a look at the facts.
What Can Cause BV?
BV is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Usually an overgrowth of several types of “good” bacteria can cause an issue. This overgrowth of bacteria can be caused by having a new sex partner (or several sex partners), douching, or just a natural inclination to have an overgrowth.
Once any of these things occurs and your bacteria level grows, BV can occur. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. BV is fairly easy to treat with antibiotics or even options like boric acid. Just talk to your doctor to see what’s best for your specific situation.
Related: Will My BV Go Away On Its Own?
What Is A Normal Vaginal Ph?
A normal pH level is moderately acidic and ranges between 3.8 to 4.5. Anything outside of this range is considered abnormal and may be a sign that your vagina isn’t healthy.
BV doesn’t have to be the only result of shifting vaginal pH. You could also have trichomoniasis or other STDs. The truth is if you notice your vaginal pH is off, it’s just best to visit your doctor to get the full picture of what’s going on.
Does Vaginal pH Changing Cause BV?
Yes. A vaginal pH of over 5 can cause BV. So shifting vaginal pH can put you at risk. But as we’ve discussed it’s not the only possible problem of a pH change. It’s also very easy to treat. So don’t stress too much over this. If you end up having BV you can talk to your doctor and get it treated easily and quickly.
What To Do About Maintaining Healthy Vaginal pH
Most of the time your vagina will maintain its own pH without any help. If you are having issues like fishy odor or new discharge, talk to your doctor before you do anything else. There are options like boric acid which we talked about earlier. You may also need antibiotics.
They may also suggest an OTC treatment or even some home remedies if they think something like that is appropriate.
Related: What Are Boric Acid Suppositories?
Final Thoughts
Your vaginal pH is important but if things get a little out of whack don’t stress too much. Your vagina is likely able to correct things all on its own. If not your doctor can give you the guidance you need to treat any resulting infections. You’ll be back to your fabulous self in no time.
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.