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Maintaining an even mix of friendly and unfriendly bacteria is an important part of good vaginal health. When vaginal pH balance is off and the unfriendly bacteria levels are elevated, it may lead to conditions like odor, itching, or yeast and bacterial vaginosis infections. One way to help restore balance is to add the best probiotics for pH balance to your health regimen.
Dr. Peter Rizk, OB-GYN and women’s health consultant for Fairhaven Health, tells Bustle: "Taking an oral probiotic supplement works to tip the pH scale back in your favor by re-populating friendly bacteria, with the result of lowering pH back into a healthy range, which will reduce the chance that yeast and bad bacteria will take hold."
If you're new to probiotics, here's how they work: Probiotics introduce colonies of healthy bacteria into your system; colonies that are measured in colony-forming units (CFUs). And, while it may at first seem like the more CFUs a probiotic has, the better health outcomes it'll have, you can still see pH-balancing benefits from probiotics with fewer CFUs.
As for how you measure your pH balance, there are some vaginal pH testing kits that you can buy online. But, you'll get the most reliable and accurate results if you visit a doctor.
What is a healthy vaginal pH balance? Dr. Rizk tells Bustle, "You will know you are striking this balance when your vaginal pH is on the acidic side of the pH scale, about 4 — the same pH as your favorite red wine! When your vaginal pH is in the proper range, more vaginal cells are triggered to grow and be exfoliated, more glycogen and amylase are produced, and more good bacteria create more lactic acid, which balances the vaginal ecosystem."
Dr. Rizk recommends that women look for a probiotic made in the U.S. with clean ingredients and without known irritants like gluten or soy. Before taking a new probiotic, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor, especially if you have any existing health issues or allergies. See below for the three best probiotics for pH balance.
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The Best Overall: Intimate Rose Flora Bloom Probiotics for Women
Boasting four strains of lactobacillus and 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), this Intimate Rose Flora Bloom probiotic has received rave Amazon reviews for its ability to help women regulate pH balance and improve vaginal and digestive health. It's free of common allergens like wheat, dairy, gluten, soybeans, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. In addition, the probiotic is also labeled as safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take, which is a major plus since women are reportedly more susceptible to yeast infections during pregnancy than at any other time in their lives.
What fans say: “I have been using this probiotic for a few months and so far, it seems to be working. I have had issues with my pH balance and this has been helping me. I have tried other probiotics, but they have not been as effective as this one. Since this probiotic is customized for women, I recommend any woman with pH issues to try this probiotic. You won’t be disappointed!”
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The Runner-Up: AZO Complete Feminine Balance Women's Daily Probiotic
Although it has 5 billion fewer colony-forming units (CFUs) than the first pick, this AZO Complete Feminine Balance daily probiotic is still a fantastic option, especially for anyone allergic to dairy or lactose. It works to restore pH balance and vaginal health with four strains of lactobacillus and is formulated without any dairy, lactose, milk, gluten, yeast, soy, gelatin, preservatives, or artificial dyes. It's also labeled as safe for pregnant women.
What fans say: “I was having some itching and off feelings for a couple months after taking two different antibiotics within a few weeks of each other. I felt like I needed something so I decided to get these and within a week my pH levels felt balanced and I felt fresh! I love this stuff.”
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If You're On A Budget: IsoFresh Probiotic
If you're not looking to spend a lot, this IsoFresh probiotic promotes pH balance and vaginal health, at a low price. While, on a price per probiotic pill basis, the best overall probiotic is a better deal, these cost less, if you're just wading into the world of probiotics and don't want to spend a lot. It contains five probiotic strains of both lactobacillus and bifidobacterium with more than 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). While it does contain milk, it's non-GMO and free of soy, gluten, eggs, nuts, and artificial colors and flavors. Unlike other options above, the manufacturer recommends you consult your doctor if pregnant and thinking about taking this probiotic.
What fans say: “I tried everything and could never get my pH balanced. This really works!”
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