The vagina is such an interesting organ. It’s strong and flexible enough to widen and deliver a baby, yet it’s also this complex, sensitive environment where a balance of microorganisms and acidity can be thrown off by the slightest thing! 

Vaginal Wellness: The Basics

The key to vaginal health and wellness is to get to know yours a little better—know what’s normal and what’s not. Even just a little information can help you understand how to best take care of this amazing part of your body and to know when something is wrong. 

The foundation of vaginal wellness lies in its pH balance.

What is pH balance?

In general, a pH balance indicates how acidic or alkaline an environment is on a scale of 0 to 14. In the vagina, a healthy pH balance is considered to be between 3.8 and 4.5, which is acidic. Neutral would be 7 and above 7 is alkaline. The balance of acidity in the vagina is what helps prevent harmful bacteria and excessive yeast from growing.

What disrupts pH balance in the vagina?

Many things can affect your vagina’s pH balance, one of them being simply your overall health. What you eat and drink, including medications, can affect your pH balance in both positive and negative ways. For example, eating yogurt or other foods with probiotics may help regulate your vagina’s pH. On the flip side, antibiotics can kill good bacteria that help keep the vaginal environment in balance. 

Also, what goes in, on, or around your vagina can affect the pH balance. This includes bacteria and other substances from sex and personal hygiene products, as well as airflow. Wearing tight clothing or nonbreathable fabrics can restrict airflow, causing moisture to become trapped which then encourages an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria that can alter your pH balance. 

Hormonal shifts can also affect your pH balance. This includes changes during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. You may have already noticed changes in discharge at different times of the month. These are often due to the hormonal shifts before, during, and after you have your monthly period.

Symptoms of an unhealthy vaginal pH balance

The vagina has ways of letting you know its pH balance is off. Signs to look out for may include:

• A different, stronger or fishy odor
• Itchiness in or around your vagina and vulva
• Changes in discharge, such as cloudy, white, thick or lumpy
• Burning sensation during sex or urination
• Vaginal pain or dryness

If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. 

Ways to protect your vagina’s pH balance

Your vagina is naturally self-cleaning; however, there are things you can do to help promote pH balance and health.;

• Drink enough water or hydrating fluids each day
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Use condoms during sex
• Wear loose clothing made of natural, breathable fabrics like cotton
• Use gentle cleaning products formulated for sensitive areas
• Openly communicate concerns with your doctor or healthcare team
• Keep an eye out for any signs your pH balance could be off

Boric Acid May Promote Vaginal pH Balance

Many people have discovered the convenience and benefits of boric acid for vaginal balance. One of the reasons boric acid is used in some vaginal care products is its natural acidity can help promote pH balance. As your vagina’s pH balance stabilizes, odor may then normalize as well. 

Benefits of boric acid suppositories

Boric acid suppositories are easy to use. You simply insert one with a clean finger, gently push it up your vagina as far as it will comfortably will go, and then let it dissolve and be absorbed by your body. 

Our Maintain™ From the Makers of Monistat Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories keep it simple with just 600 mg of boric acid and the vegetable-based capsule that contains it. These vaginal suppositories are:

• Easy to use
• Gynecologist tested
• Non-irritating for most people, with no dyes or preservatives
• Fragrance free
• Not tested on animals

Be aware that not all vaginal boric acid suppositories have the same ingredients. Read the labels and the instructions for best results and to help avoid irritation from secondary ingredients.

Cleansing washes and wipes with boric acid

Typically, there is less boric acid in feminine washes and wipes. Maintain™ from the Makers of Monistat Feminine Cleanser and Feminine Cleansing Wipes with Boric Acid contain a unique, pH-balanced complex made with boric acid.

Again, always check ingredients when you are cleaning such a sensitive area. Our boric acid cleansers have no fragrance and are gentle and non-irritating for most people. 

Safety of vaginal boric acid products

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, always seek medical advice first from your doctor or health care professional. 

When using boric acid suppositories, you must avoid having sexual intercourse or oral sex as your partner could experience some irritation as well, and you don’t want them to get any of the boric acid in their mouth. In addition, you could lessen the absorption and effect of the boric acid. 

Boric acid, while safe to use topically, is toxic when swallowed and requires immediate medical care. Please keep boric acid products away from children and pets, and store suppositories in a place where you are least likely to confuse them for vitamins or other pills.