Whether you call it a vagina, va-jay-jay, or another nickname, this part of a woman's anatomy is truly amazing. Yet many women feel uncomfortable discussing vaginal health openly. Well, your vagina wants to let you in on a little secret: taking care of her is easier than you think! A healthy vagina is a happy vagina.

With a sensitive balance of good bacteria and pH levels, your vagina does an excellent job keeping itself clean and infection-free. But when something disrupts that balance, trouble can brew. The good news? Simple solutions like vaginal probiotics, a good diet, and proper hygiene practices help maintain and restore ideal vaginal health.  

What is a Healthy Vagina?

A healthy vagina is one that's in balance. This means it has the right pH level, healthy bacteria, and is free from infections or irritation. When everything is balanced and working correctly, the vagina maintains a slightly acidic pH between 3.8 and 4.5. Thanks to the good lactobacilli bacteria that produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, helping to maintain an optimal acidic pH. They also compete with any bad bacteria, preventing them from proliferating. 

When all is well down there, you likely won't notice any odor, discharge, itching or discomfort. It's the ideal state of affairs! 

Some signs your vagina is happy and healthy:

• It has a mild, musky scent that shouldn't be foul or fishy 
• Discharge is clear, white or off-white, and thin to thick in consistency
• The vulva and labia appear normal, without rashes, bumps or lesions
• No pain, itching or irritation 

The Importance of Vaginal pH Balance

The vagina is home to a delicate balance of good and bad bacteria that keeps the vaginal environment at a healthy pH between 3.8-4.5. This slightly acidic pH protects the vagina from infections by limiting the growth of harmful bacteria. When the pH rises above 4.5, it allows bad bacteria to multiply, causing conditions like bacterial vaginosis. 

The most common vaginal infections happen when the pH gets disrupted. That's why it's so important to maintain vaginal pH balance. An imbalance can happen from douching, hormonal changes, antibiotics, spermicides, menstrual products, poor hygiene and wipes with harmful chemicals. Signs of high pH include foul odor, discharge, irritation, and itching. 

To keep your vajayjay happy, focus on promoting good bacteria through a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating probiotic foods, avoiding irritants, practicing safe sex, and supplementing with oral or vaginal probiotics. A little TLC goes a long way in keeping your vag at the right pH.

Signs of Vaginal Imbalance

When your vagina’s pH becomes too alkaline or basic, it can lead to a condition called bacterial vaginosis. Some common signs of an imbalanced vaginal microbiome include:

• Unpleasant vaginal odor - A healthy vagina has a mild, musky odor. A strong fishy odor is a sign of bacterial overgrowth.
• Excessive discharge - Thin, white or gray vaginal discharge is normal. Sudden increased discharge that looks grayish-white and watery or foamy likely signals an imbalance. 
• Vaginal itching and irritation - A healthy vagina shouldn't itch. Persistent itching and burning is often caused by yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.
• Vaginal rash or soreness - An inflamed, irritated vagina that feels sore is usually symptomatic of an infection. Rashes may accompany yeast infections.
• Pain or discomfort - Mild cramping and discomfort may happen but consistent pain likely indicates an underlying problem.
• Pain during sex - Burning or raw skin pain during intercourse can be caused by vaginal dryness from hormonal changes or irritation from infections.
• Unpleasant odor after sex - A strong fishy odor after sex is a common sign of bacterial vaginosis.

If you notice any of these symptoms, that means your vagina is off balance. While some causes are harmless, others can lead to more serious complications if left untreated. Consulting a doctor can provide both diagnosis and proper treatment. Restoring balance quickly brings relief from discomfort and prevents ongoing issues.

Causes of Vaginal Imbalance

A healthy vagina requires a delicate balance of good and bad bacteria. When that balance is disrupted, it can lead to vaginal issues. Some common causes of vaginal imbalance include:

• Infections - Infections like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis happen when there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria. This overwhelms the good bacteria and causes irritation, discharge, odor and other unpleasant symptoms.
• Douching - Douching can disrupt the vagina's natural cleaning system and wash away good bacteria. This leaves you prone to infections and imbalance. That's why douching your vag is not a good idea.
• Hormonal Changes - Fluctuations in estrogen can alter the vaginal environment. Low estrogen after menopause or childbirth can cause dryness, thinning tissues and higher pH. High estrogen during pregnancy increases discharge and causes yeast to grow.
• Period Products - Using tampons or pads, especially if left in too long, can introduce new bacteria into your vag’s natural microbiome. This can lead to infections if good bacteria levels are low. Frequent change is important.
• Sex - Yes, even sex can disrupt the vaginal balance. Exchanging bodily fluids through genital-to-genital and oral-genital contact can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria. Semen and lubricants can change vaginal pH.
• Medications - Antibiotics for infections, steroids, birth control pills and other meds impact good bacteria levels, allowing bad bacteria to take over.
• Public toilets - You read that right. Public toilets are a festering ground for germs of all kinds. Especially when coming into close contact with your down parts if you have the habit of sitting without using a seat cover while you do your business. 

Keeping your vagina healthy means avoiding things that can disrupt its natural balance. Be aware of what causes imbalance and take steps to maintain an optimal vaginal environment.

Natural Ways to Maintain Vaginal Health

There are several natural ways to promote vaginal health without the use of medications.

• Eat probiotic-rich foods - Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, and kefir can increase the levels of good bacteria in your body and vagina. Choose unsweetened, plain yogurt and look for products containing live active cultures.
• Avoid irritants down under - Perfumes, dyes, and other chemicals found in scented products, like douches, tampons, pads, soaps and detergents can upset the natural bacterial balance in the vagina. Stick to gentle, fragrance-free options.
• Wear cotton underwear - Breathable cotton underwear allows better airflow and keeps the vulva dry compared to silk or synthetic fabrics. This helps prevent overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes promptly. 
• Squat at public toilets - This is when those leg days at the gym come in handy. Avoid close contact with the toilet seat by squatting or covering the toilet seat with toilet paper or seat cover. 

Making small lifestyle changes can promote proper vaginal pH, maintain healthy bacterial levels, and prevent imbalances leading to infections. However, some women may need extra vaginal care support from vaginal probiotic supplements.

The Role of Vaginal Probiotics

Probiotics have become a popular supplement for gut health, but did you know they can also be used for vaginal health? Vaginal probiotics contain strains of good bacteria that help maintain balance in the vagina. Some vaginal probiotics also include cranberry extract, which promote urinary tract health and may help reduce UTI recurrence.

The vagina has its own microbiome, just like the gut. Vaginal probiotic supplements can help restore balance by repopulating the vagina with specific strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri. These good bacteria produce lactic acid to maintain the ideal acidic pH in the vagina between 3.8-4.5. 

BEST Vaginal Probiotics 

When it comes to vaginal health, BEST Vaginal Probiotic is your vag’s best friend. Our vaginal probiotic supplement is specially formulated to promote a balanced vaginal pH and microbial flora. 

Containing only natural ingredients and 4 strains of probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Reuteri, and Lactobacillus Fermentum, as well as Prebiotics that act like food for probiotics strains to help them act faster, our vaginal probiotic helps restore harmony in the vagina within 3-8 weeks. Also loaded with Cranberry extract to support urinary tract function if you are prone to UTIs.

BEST supplements are formulated with the most effective, science-backed ingredients out there, and nothing else. No fillers, no false promises, and no B.S.

Just the right doses, delivered the right way, with results that actually matter.
Because your BEST health starts with the BEST standards. And we’re here to deliver both. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.