what is ph balance and what does it mean for your sexual health?

The conversation around pH balance has been a growing one and with all of the information floating around, it can be hard to know where to start. What does pH balance really mean? How do I know if my pH balance is off? What is a pH-friendly lube? Does everyone have a pH balance, or just people with vaginas? These are the questions that we often hear, so we wanted to compile some information about pH in the human body, how to balance it, and what it means for your sexual health.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR) The Importance of pH for Sexual Health

• Specific pH levels are vital for different areas of the body.
• In a sexual context, pH levels can be thrown off by things like diet, sex, menstrual cycles, and douching.
• If you are sensitive or prone to UTIs and infections, you can take precautions like using condoms and pH-friendly lubricants, staying hydrated, and eating a well balanced diet.
  
• Read on to discover the best pH friendly lubes, effective ways to manage pH, and if there is a difference between pH-friendly and pH-neutral products.

What is pH Balance?

When it comes to solutions that are aqueous (containing water), the pH scale is used to determine how acidic or alkaline that solution is. Because our bodily fluids are water-based, they fall right on the pH scale. From your blood to your digestive tract, each system maintains a precise pH level to function at its best. Luckily, the human body is an amazing vessel that is typically able to regulate its pH levels on its own! For this blog, we’ll focus specifically on vaginal and anal pH levels. While both are essential to your well-being, they each have a different pH range to stay balanced and healthy.

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral, less than 7 being acidic, and higher than 7 being alkaline. Each organ has an optimal level; a healthy vaginal pH is around 3.8 to 5 and a healthy anal pH is around 6.5–8. Balancing your pH at a healthy level helps to prevent infections and maintain sexual health. While these are naturally regulated, there are some things that can throw off pH like harsh soaps, diet, hydration levels, and even your menstrual cycle (if you have a period).

What Can Affect pH Balance?

pH can be affected by a number of different factors, and while these may not be the case for everyone, some things that can alter pH levels in the vagina or anus include:

Sex

During sex people with vaginas can experience pH level fluctuations, and throughout their menstrual cycles, scientifically, this is for fertility purposes. Sperm is more alkaline than the vagina, so the introduction of semen during unprotected sex into the vaginal system can temporarily increase pH levels. In addition to this, arousal fluids are more alkaline than regular vaginal fluids. Arousal fluids help the sperm survive in the acidic vaginal environment, helping aid conception. However, during this time when pH levels are higher than normal, you may also be more susceptible to infection and irritation.

Fun fact: The vagina also has lactobacilli, which are the "good" bacteria that work overtime to bring the pH back down to that healthy 3.8–5 range once sex or a period is over. Many naturally derived lubricants like ONE® True® have an ingredient called lactic acid, which is derived naturally from crops. Lactic acid adjusts the lubricant’s pH to help maintain an optimal vaginal balance, supporting the health of your natural lactobacilli.

Menstruation and Menstrual Products 

As previously mentioned, solutions containing water have a designated pH level. Another one of these solutions in the body is blood, which has a normal pH level of around 7.3, much more alkaline than a more acidic vagina. So, during menstruation, vaginal pH is higher.

People with higher sensitivities can experience pH disruption with the use of traditional period products, like pads and tampons. This is because the vaginal walls are in contact with the absorbed blood for a prolonged time, leading to heightened pH levels. Some menstruators find relief with menstrual cups since the blood is kept inside the cup and not in contact with the vaginal walls.

Harsh Hygiene Products and Douching 

This one is a bit more well known. For both the vagina and anus, douching is not recommended, as it can remove not only the bad bacteria, but the good bacteria that helps to prevent infection as well. Removing the good bacteria can lead to an altered pH, so avoid douching and cleanse with a mild, fragrance-free soap only.

When using a mild, fragrance-free soap, make sure that you only clean externally, do not put soap inside of your body. These organs are self-cleaning and self-regulating, so there is no need to internally cleanse, as this too can affect your pH.

What Helps Balance pH? 

Don’t worry! There are some at-home ways that may help balance your pH if you find that it may be imbalanced. Below are some ways you can try to control your pH levels and maintain good sexual wellness:

Disclaimer: If you are experiencing severe or prolonged symptoms, it is important to consult your care provider who can help you find a treatment or medication that can help your specific needs.

Use Condoms and Barrier Methods

Introducing semen and other new bacteria into the vaginal or anal biome can heighten pH levels and cause fluctuations in pH. Utilizing barrier methods during intercourse , like external condoms, internal condoms, or oral dams, can prevent pH imbalances and the introduction of these bacteria, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial vaginosis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Eat a Well Balanced Diet

Eating a well-balanced diet can help you maintain a well-balanced pH. Foods like greek yogurt or kefir are probiotics that can improve your gut health, leading to better pH balance in multiple organs, including the vagina and stomach. Another great food for pH is cranberries, of course! These tart berries are often used to treat UTIs by preventing bacteria.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key to a healthy pH! Drinking water helps to get rid of toxins and regulates bodily functions. Additionally, proper hydration can support your natural lubrication.

Use pH-friendly or pH Neutral Lubricant

There are many lubricants designed to match or mimic your natural pH to ensure that it does not throw off your balance. However, there are a few kinds of lubes that should be considered. Water-based lubricant will have a pH and you can look into which is better for you. Some water-based lubricants are designed to match vaginal pH, where others may have a higher pH so that they are closely matched with anal pH. Silicone-based lubricants, on the other hand, do not contain water so they are considered pH-neutral, meaning that there would be no impact on pH. When purchasing a personal lubricant, identify which kind is best for the type of sex you are having. 

pH imbalances typically occur when a lubricant has very high or very low pH levels, or when a lubricant does not use medical grade ingredients. Some people are also more prone to pH imbalances. So testing different lubricants is key! 

All ONE® lubricants use medical grade ingredients, and are FDA-cleared, vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and dermatologist tested. 

When it comes to ONE® lubricants:

• ONE® True® (water-based formula) has a pH range of 4.0-4.6 (average is 4.3), and closely mimics the vaginal environment. 

• ONE® Oasis Silk® (hybrid formula) pH range is 4.5-5.5 (average 5.23), and also closely mimics the vaginal environment. 

• ONE® Oasis® (water-based) pH range is 5-6.5 (average is 5.38). Oasis is formulated to be a little bit higher in pH so it works for both vaginal and anal pH. Vaginal pH is lower (more acidic) while anal pH is higher (more alkaline). Oasis is designed for versatile play.

• ONE® Move® is pure medical grade silicone. Silicone-based lubricants do not contain water, and thus they are considered neutral in practice because they do not react with or change the body's natural acidity. 

What Does it Mean to be pH-friendly? 

Typically when you see “pH-friendly” or “pH-balanced” on a lubricant bottle, it means the pH of the lubricant closely mimics  that of the vagina, which is on the more acidic side.  A healthy vaginal pH is around 3.8 to 5 and a healthy anal pH is around 6.5–8. This helps ensure that the lubricant does not throw off the natural pH of the person using it. pH friendly products are great for people who are looking to better manage or balance their vaginal pH. 

What is pH Neutral? 

Being pH neutral is different from being pH friendly. Because silicone is anhydrous (contains no water), it does not have a pH level. Therefore, silicone lubricants are often called pH-neutral. While technically they have no pH, they are considered neutral in practice because they do not react with or change the body's natural acidity. Silicone acts as an inert barrier and does not disrupt the chemical balance of your tissues, making it a great option for people who may have sensitivities to water-based lubricant formulas. This makes silicone-based lubes, like ONE® Move®,  a great option for those who are looking for an option that will not affect pH at all.

What is the Best pH-friendly Lube? 

The best pH-friendly lube is one that works for you and your partners and does not cause any irritation or reactions. ONE® True® natural lube and ONE® Oasis Silk® hybrid lubricant are both amazing pH friendly lube options. ONE® True® is made with 99% naturally derived ingredients (including aloe vera extract). ONE® Oasis Silk® is a hybrid lubricant that is very moisturizing and great for those looking to alleviate vaginal dryness. ONE® Oasis® is a versatile water-based lubricant that is balanced slightly higher to have a pH between optimal vaginal and anal pH levels. All ONE® lubricants are vegan verified, non-GMO, medical grade, and dermatologist tested.

Conclusion

There are various ways you can manage your pH if it becomes imbalanced. This includes staying hydrated, eating well, using the right lubricants, and even condoms can help maintain pH levels! The pH of a lubricant is a factor you may consider as you choose a lube, especially if you are sensitive to certain ingredients, are trying to conceive, or are prone to yeast infections. 

FAQs

Is pH-friendly the same as pH neutral?
No. pH friendly and pH neutral are not the same thing. Being pH friendly means that a product was designed to match your natural pH where pH neutral means that the product is inert and plays no part in affecting pH levels. 

How to fix pH balance? 
You can manage your pH balance in a few ways like pH friendly lubricants, eating right, and avoiding harsh hygiene products, like douches. However, if you find that your pH balance is consistently off or that you frequently get UTIs, it is a good idea to consult a medical professional who can create a personalized care plan. 

Are vaginal and anal pH the same? 
No. The vaginal and anal passages do not have the same optimal pH levels. Vaginal pH is on the acidic side and should be between 3.8 and 5, while anal pH is less acidic than that in the 6.5 to 8 range.