What happens when vaginal pH is out of balance?

The article was consulted with MSc, Dr. Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

The normal vaginal mucosa has the ability to protect itself against bacteria and pathogens in a balanced pH condition (that is, the pH is at a physiological level).

The vagina is a smooth muscular tube that connects the vulva to the cervix, located between the urethra, bladder anteriorly, and rectum posteriorly. The vaginal mucosa is an epithelium that is very sensitive to estrogen (female sex hormone). The intermediate and glycogen-containing surface cells of the vaginal mucosa develop thickening under the influence of estrogen.
The microflora in the vagina is very rich, including beneficial and harmful bacteria living peacefully, without causing disease, in which Lactobacillus sp (accounts for about 50 - 80%) converts glycogen into lactic acid, making The vaginal environment is acidic, maintaining a balanced pH value (3.8 - 4.5) - called the physiological pH of the vagina.
With the balance of the vaginal microflora and the physiological pH of the vagina, it will work to create the natural defense mechanism of the female reproductive system, capable of resisting pathogens. in situ as well as foreign invaders.

There are many causes of vaginal pH imbalance, such as:
Using antibiotics, antifungal drugs, high doses or prolonged corticosteroids. Habit of douching in the genital area. Using oral contraceptives or hormone therapy. Hormonal changes due to age. Having chronic diseases: diabetes, immunodeficiency,... Having polyps, tumors in the vagina. Radiation treatment. Place birth control device, diaphragm, spermicide,...

The balance of the vaginal flora and the maintenance of physiological pH in the vagina create a natural protective barrier of the female reproductive system against pathogens.
For some reason, the vaginal pH is out of balance, the body's protective barrier is less effective or lost, which is a favorable condition for harmful microorganisms (locally and from the outside to invade). in) grow to cause inflammation. At the same time, gynecological infections continue to make the vaginal pH more unbalanced, creating conditions for the infection to become worse and worse, forming a pathological spiral.
Besides, an imbalanced vaginal pH is also detrimental to the conception process, because when the vaginal pH is unbalanced, sperm will be hindered on their way to meet the egg to fertilize, or Worse, at that pH is not suitable for sperm, the amount of sperm will be destroyed when just entering the vagina, making it difficult to conceive in many cases.

To maintain a balanced vaginal pH, some methods can be followed:
Maintain proper hygiene of the genital area: Dry the genital area after using the toilet. When washing only wash the outside, avoid the habit of douching inside the vagina, dry when finished. Avoid getting wet in the genital area (such as sweat, often soaking in water, not drying after washing, wearing wet underwear, etc.). Change clean underwear after swimming or bathing, change tampons often (every 3-4 hours should be changed). Avoid wearing underwear that is too tight, avoid fabrics that do not have high permeability, should wear loose and airy and should choose cotton material with high sweat absorption. When there are signs of vaginal infection (as well as gynecological infections in general), you should see a specialist as soon as possible, do not arbitrarily prescribe medicine or use any treatment drugs, to avoid these complications. inconvenience, discomfort brought by the disease as well as complicated complications of the disease (such as metritis, ovary inflammation, pelvic inflammatory disease, ... for pregnant women can cause miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, amniotic infection, premature birth, etc.).