Why Do You Need pH Balance?

The pH balance plays an important role in the chemical makeup of the human body. The term "pH" refers to whether a substance is an acid, an alkaline (also known as basic), or neutral.

In the human body, the pH of bodily fluids, organs, and other components can have an influence on the biochemical reactions that support various functions, such as digestion, metabolism, and hormonal production. Having a balanced vaginal pH, for example, helps keep the vagina free of infection.

This article looks at how pH balance works, why it is important for maintaining optimal health, and ways that pH balance might be altered.

 What Is pH Balance?

Although pH is often something only talked about in chemistry class, it does have significance in terms of the body’s function.

pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The "H" stands for hydrogen—pH estimates the concentration of the hydrogen ion in a given substance. As technical as that sounds, you don’t need to understand chemistry to understand how pH relates to health. 

A pH balance is important in terms of health because having a stable pH is key to maintaining the body’s everyday functioning. The body is very good at maintaining a healthy pH balance on its own, so having an unbalance isn't a common concern.

How pH Balance Works

The pH range is from 0 to 14. The most acidic is 0, 14 is the most basic, and 7 is neutral. In healthy humans, normal body pH is between 7.35 and 7.45, with an average of 7.4.

However, not all parts of the body are kept in the precise 7.4 range. For instance, in the stomach, gastric juices range from a pH of 1.35 to 3.5. That is very acidic. The acidity works to create a hostile environment that kills off bacteria and other pathogens, and it also aids in digestion by helping to break down protein and other food particles.

Skin also has an acidic pH: It's between 4 and 6.5. Acidic skin acts as a barrier and protects the body from microbes.

When healthy, the body has many different compensatory mechanisms in place to maintain the ideal levels, such as filtering blood through the kidney (to remove or retain acids and bases) and regulating breathing (which controls the intake of oxygen and expiration of carbon dioxide through the lungs).

What Is Vaginal pH?

Vaginal pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity levels of the vagina. A normal vaginal pH level falls between 3.8 and 4.5.

The optimal vaginal pH level is slightly acidic because that's the ideal environment for normal vaginal flora, which are the bacteria, yeast, and other fungi that help keep the vagina clean and infection-free. An unbalanced vaginal pH can lead to bacterial overgrowth.

Causes of Unbalanced Vaginal pH

Causes of an unbalanced vaginal pH include:

• Menstruation: Your pH balance can fluctuate depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. Period blood, for example, is slightly acidic and can raise levels.
• Taking antibiotics: These medications raise pH levels because they kill all bacteria in your body, including good bacteria.
• Using hygiene products: Certain products intended to clean the vagina or improve its smell can increase pH levels by altering the vagina's microbiome. An example is douching, which involves using a tool to insert a liquid into the vagina.
• Sexual activity: Bacteria can be introduced through sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, raising pH levels. Some lubricants also have a higher pH, which can increase vaginal pH levels.

How to Balance Vaginal pH

If you think you have an infection stemming from an unbalanced vaginal pH, over-the-counter creams or ointments may help. Your doctor may also prescribe medication that you can apply or take in pill form.

You can also take steps at home to ensure a balanced vaginal pH:

• Eat foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt or pickles.
• Stay hydrated.
• Manage stress through strategies such as getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
• Eat less sugar, which can raise pH levels.
• Avoid douching (the vagina is self-cleaning).
• Wear breathable underwear.
• Use a barrier such as a condom during sex (semen briefly raises pH levels).

Conditions Associated With Unbalanced pH

The human body can be out of pH balance in these four main ways:

• Metabolic acidosis: When the kidneys are unable to remove enough acid from the blood, this pH imbalance can occur. There are different types of metabolic acidosis, depending on the acid that is building up in the body. For example, lactic acidosis is caused by a buildup of lactic acid (a chemical that’s released in vigorous exercise).
• Metabolic alkalosis: This occurs when there is too much of a chemical called bicarbonate in the blood, which is sometimes an indication of kidney disease.
• Respiratory acidosis: In this disorder, excess carbon dioxide builds up in the body because not enough is being expelled through breathing. Chest injuries and the overuse of sedative drugs are some causes of respiratory acidosis.
• Respiratory alkalosis: This condition is caused by not having enough carbon dioxide (an acid) in the blood. A lack of carbon dioxide can be caused by something as simple as being at a high altitude or something as serious as lung disease.

If one of these imbalances occurs, the body will try to compensate by inducing the opposite condition. For instance, if you are in metabolic acidosis, the body will try to counterbalance the state by causing respiratory alkalosis.

Summary

PH is the measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. In humans, pH balance plays a role in keeping the body functioning optimally. Parts of the body, such as the vagina, can have their own optimal pH levels. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline, which facilitates certain biochemical reactions like oxygenating the blood. The body has numerous corrective measures to keep pH in homeostasis (a stable state).