Your vagina is a complicated microbiome. It’s also a beautiful, self-cleaning ecosystem that generally takes care of itself. There are different species of bacteria, anaerobes and fungi that keep your girl down there in check.
But sometimes, your girl gets out of whack and sends out SOS signals—what is that smell? Why am I sore? Why does it burn when I pee or have sexy time?
These are indicators that something is disrupting your vag’s good vibes.
But worry not, we’re here to call out the culprits and tell you where to start to get your girl back in line.
Jump to:
- Menopause, Periods & Pregnancy
- Unprotected Sex & Semen
- Scented Soaps, Douching & Sprays
- Antibiotics & the Yeast Infection Cycle
- Sugar, Stress & Synthetic Fabrics
- What’s a woman to do?
"Your vaginal pH is delicate. When it's disrupted — odor, dryness, and infections creep in — but it doesn't have to stay that way."
HORMONAL CHANGES
01.Menopause, Periods & Pregnancy: When Your Vag Basically Says "I'm Tired, Boss"
Girls start their period, on average between the ages of 11-12, and from that time she will have, on average 400-500 periods in her lifetime.
Queue the gasp.
Wait, it gets….better? Eh, worse?
Between when you start getting your period and all the fluctuating hormonal changes that come with it, plus, as you get older and if you get pregnant, that’s an additional monkey wrench of hormonal changes your body has to go through during that timeframe.
But wait, there’s more!
Once you hit peri-menopause and menopause your estrogen and progesterone hormones will experience a nose-dive in declining levels. Which means—hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations. And we haven’t gotten into the changes your vag will go through like dryness, sex that hurts, or lack of wanting any D, plus urinary problems.
These are just some of the changes that women will go through, causing your pH balance to get out of control.
SEXUAL ACTIVITY
02.Congrats on Having Sex!
Now Your pH is on a Week-Long Bender: Why unprotected sex and semen throw off your vaginal flora.
Whether you’re in a committed relationship or are exploring your options, if you’re romping around the bed, you need to know a few things about your man’s semen.
It’s alkaline, and if you’re not using a condom and he’s busting inside you, it can throw off your pH balance temporarily, making your hoo-ha produce the dreaded fishy odor.
Additionally, if you’re switching partners, there’s an introduction of different bacteria to your vaginal microbiome.
Both of these will cause your girl to spin out of control before she is back to normal.
And this is when you DON’T have BV—another topic for another day.
HYGIENE PRODUCTS
03.Step Away From The Scented Soap: The Best Feminine Hygiene Tips
…and douching, and sprays, or any other chemicals.
Sure the scented products are in cute packaging and they smell amazing, but avoiding them is best if you don’t want to cause irritation or imbalance down there. Keep reading to know what to do instead.
MEDICATIONS
04.Antibiotics and Yeast Infections: The Friendly Fire You Didn't Expect
You got a nasty tooth infection that requires antibiotics? Welp, you’ll heal that tooth, but you might get a yeasty or bacterial vaginosis [BV] because, yes it kills the bad bacteria, but the good bacteria is collateral damage.
DAILY LIFESTYLE
05.Sugar, Stress, and Spandex: Lifestyle Factors That Cause pH Imbalance
We love to satiate that sweet tooth or eat a convenient meal when you’re pressed for time. Not to mention that cute Lulu Lemon fit that makes your bum look amazing. Trying to manage your social, work, and self care activities will cause your stress levels to skyrocket and are, unfortunately, a detriment to good lifestyle choices that will interfere with your hormone balance.
All of these things working in combination will sabotage your pH balance and can lead to yeast infections or harmful bacteria.
Losing sleep? This can weaken your immune system and it’ll make it harder for your body to maintain a balanced microbiome.
