Everything You Should Know About pH Balance Pills and the Best Options

If you’re worried that your vaginal pH level might be off, you’re probably curious about what you can do about it.

This article explains what pH balance pills are, if you should take them, and which products may be your best bets.

PH balance pills may help balance vaginal pH levels. When your vaginal pH level is off, you may notice an unusual odor, itchiness, and general discomfort, along with yeast or bacterial vaginosis (BV) infections. Taking pH balance pills may help maintain good levels of healthy and unhealthy bacteria.

PH balance pills typically contain probiotics. These are living microorganisms that, when ingested, can provide certain health benefits. Probiotics may help with:

• gut and digestive health
• lowering inflammation
• managing depression and anxiety
• immune function
• skin health
• aging support

Different probiotics affect different parts of the body. Experts have long researched probiotics for vaginal health.

Still, despite years of research, experts say more studies are needed to draw strong relationships between specific probiotics supplements and vaginal pH.

The only proven treatments for BV and yeast infections are antibiotic and antifungal treatments. But recurrence is possible because these treatments may have adverse effects on Lactobacilli levels in the vagina, throwing off its balance.

Because of that, some researchers suggest adding probiotics as a complementary therapy to antibiotics.

In fact, a 2022 review of 18 studies found that adding 1–3 months of probiotics treatment along with antibiotics may significantly reduce the recurrence rate of BV, compared with taking only antibiotics.

Similarly, a 2020 review of 30 studies found that taking probiotics alongside antibiotics helped improve the cure rate and reduce the recurrent rate of vaginitis. But researchers noted benefits were highest after 1 month of supplementing, and they seemed to level off after 6 months.

Are probiotics beneficial if you haven’t been taking antibiotics?

Experts are still researching how effective probiotics are for vaginal pH, with promising results so far.

People with a vagina may benefit from probiotics with Lactobacilli if they have BV or a yeast infection.

A 2023 study of 36 women found that taking a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT LA1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CBT LR5, and Lactobacillus reuteri CBT LU4 significantly improved vaginal dysbiosis. Vaginal dysbiosis is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria.

Additionally, a 2022 test tube study suggests that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P1 could be beneficial in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a type of bacteria found in the vagina.

Again, while promising, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of probiotic supplements for improving vaginal pH.

If you choose to try pH balance pills, be sure to talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional before introducing them to your diet. They can review your medical history and help you decide whether or not it’s a good idea.

You can start with a lower dose of colony forming units (CFUs) and work your way up once your body adjusts to the supplements. The best time to take a probiotic is with a meal or 30 minutes before eating and 2 hours before or after taking antibiotics. It may take a few weeks to see a difference.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $20
• $$ = $20–$30
• $$$ = over $30

To choose the best pH balance pills to feature in our list, we took some factors into account:

• Clinically tested strains: We only chose products that contains probiotic strains that have been shown to be effective for improving vaginal health.
• Safety considerations: The best way to ensure the safety, purity, and potency of a probiotic supplement is to purchase a product that’s third-party tested by a credible organization. We chose products that were third-party tested, follow current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs), or are registered by an NSF International facility.
• CFU count: We included options that contain an effective dose of strains clinically proven to improve vaginal health.
• Customer reviews: We only included options with mostly positive ratings and reviews from customers. While different supplements work for different people, we heavily researched every pick.
• Price: We made sure to include a variety of options at different price points.
• Vetting: Every product included in our roundups has been vetted for medical and business standards. This helps ensures that we’re only including items that are trustworthy and accessible.

PH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline (aka basic) something is. The scale runs from 0–14. The pH balance of your vagina can help determine whether or not it’s at a healthy level.

A healthy vaginal pH level is between 3.8–4.5. However, a healthy pH level will vary based on your age.

During your reproductive years, from ages 15–49, your vaginal pH will typically be at or below 4.5. Before menstruation and after menopause, a healthy pH will be higher than 4.5.

An acidic vagina means that it’s more protective. It creates a barrier that prevents unhealthy bacteria and yeast from multiplying too quickly and causing infection.

Having a vaginal pH level above 4.5 puts you at risk of several infections, like BV or trichomoniasis, sometimes known as trich.

An unbalanced pH level can be caused by:

• sex without a condom or other barrier method
• antibiotics
• douching
• menstrual periods
• anything that isn’t sanitized and is inserted into the vagina
• any product that contains vinegar

PH balance pills can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy vaginal pH level. They aren’t a must-have for people with a vagina, but they may be helpful if you frequently experience:

• yeast infections
• UTIs
• BV

If you have concerns about introducing a supplement into your diet, talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional about your vaginal health before doing so.