Your vagina is naturally acidic. When it's healthy, beneficial bacteria help keep your pH in the ideal range, creating an environment that makes it difficult for unwanted microbes to thrive.
As we age, especially during and after menopause, levels of these protective bacteria can decline. Antibiotics, periods, semen, douching, and hormonal birth control can also temporarily disrupt this balance.
When vaginal pH becomes less acidic, certain bacteria can multiply more easily. As they grow and break down nutrients, they produce compounds that can contribute to symptoms such as odor, unusual discharge, irritation, and discomfort during intimacy.
That's why restoring a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria is often an important part of supporting long-term vaginal health.
