6 Best pH Balance Pills: Promoting Vaginal Health

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The vagina has a pH level of under 4.5, meaning it is mildly acidic. Higher pH levels allow bacteria and yeasts to thrive inside the vagina, and this can result in bacterial and yeast infections.
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A quick look at the best pH balance pills
Best easy-to-swallow pH balance pills: AZO Complete Feminine Balance
AZO Complete Feminine Balance
Best organic pH balance pills: Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics
Best vegan pH balance pills: HUM Private Party
HUM Private Party
Best for free delivery: Wisp Probiotic for BV, Yeast, and UTI
Wisp Probiotic for BV, Yeast, and UTI
Best for shelf stable pH balance pills: RenewLife Probiotics for Women
RenewLife Probiotics for Women
Best pH pills with vagina-specific culture strains: Uqora Promote Capsules
Uqora Promote Capsules
pH balance pills are products that contain the bacteria lactobacilli. These are “good” bacteria that help keep vaginal pH levels below 4.5, preventing vaginal infections.
This article discusses vaginal pH levels in more detail and the symptoms of a vaginal pH imbalance. We also explore products that a person may find helpful and offer advice on when to speak with a doctor.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn more
How to choose the best probiotics for balancing vaginal pH levels
Some factors to consider when looking for probiotics to balance vaginal pH levels include:
Reviews: People should choose a product with many positive reviews, with past buyers reporting that the supplements were effective. They can also check if a brand has registrations with Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
Safety: Product labels should state whether the probiotic is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Use: People should check that the pills come with instructions outlining how and when to take them.
Price: Some probiotics can be expensive when adding shipping costs. People can check whether companies offer bundles or repeat deliveries to help save money.
How we chose
At Medical News Today, we choose products according to the following criteria:
Reviews: Products have mostly positive customer reviews.
Food intolerances: Products are suitable for people with certain dietary restrictions, such as those who follow a gluten-free diet, have lactose intolerance, or wish to avoid soy.
gluten-free diet
lactose intolerance
soy
Instructions: The product label or website provides instructions on how and when to take the product.
Roundup of the best pH balance pills
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Learn more here
AZO Complete Feminine Balance
Price: around $18
Count: 30 capsules
CFU count: 5 billion
Dose: one capsule per day
Strain: Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus jensenii
AZO Complete Feminine Balance is an unflavored probiotic that reportedly helps balance the vaginal pH within seven days. The capsules are free from gluten and do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
The product is also safe for pregnant people. Individuals can take one capsule per day.
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many positive reviews on Amazon
several reviewers state the capsules are easy to swallow
some customers say people may notice improvements within a few days
not all customers noticed any difference after using the product
did not resolve odor in some individuals
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics
Price: around $40
Count: 30 vegetarian capsules
CFU count: 50 billion
Dose: one capsule per day, with or without food
Strain: 16 strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics feature formulations to support the health of the vagina, digestive tract, and immune system. The supplement contains two species of lactobacilli for vaginal health: L. reuteri and L. fermentum.
The product is suitable for people following vegetarian diets and is free from both dairy and gluten. The product also has carbon-free and organic certifications.
Individuals can take one capsule daily, with or without meals.
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may be beneficial for people who cannot take products containing soy
some reviewers say the pills helped relieve their constipation
the plastic bottle reportedly has a chemical smell
the capsules may have a strong smell
HUM Private Party
Price: around $24
Count: 30 vegan capsules
CFU count: 10 billion
Dose: one capsule per day with or without food
Strain: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri
HUM Private Party vegan capsules claim to help support a healthy vaginal pH while promoting the health of the urinary tract. The capsules are free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, GMOs, and soy.
The manufacturers claim that a person can expect results within 4-6 weeks.
The label states that people can take one capsule daily, with or without meals.
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many reviewers recommend this product for those with urinary tract infections
urinary tract infections
free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, GMOs, and soy
may take some time before people notice any improvements
some people reported experiencing yeast infections, acne, and weight gain after using this product
Wisp Probiotic for BV, Yeast, and UTI
Price: $30
Count: 180 pills
CFU count: 200 billion
Dose: one tablet twice a day
Strain: Lactobacillus acidophilus
Wisp states that the microorganisms in this product can help restore and improve gut flora. The company suggests this may be particularly beneficial if a person takes antibiotics or antifungals.
The company states that most people will notice a difference around 3–6 weeks after taking this product.
While this probiotic is available as a one-off purchase, people can choose to subscribe and save. This subscription includes access to Wispcare, which provides unlimited sexual and reproductive health consultations and same-day prescriptions for primary care concerns.
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the company compounds the product in its own pharmacies
offers free delivery
has a high CFU count
offers subscription savings
not suitable for vegans
the reviews on the product page are not specific to the product, making it difficult to learn from customer’s experiences
RenewLife Probiotics for Women
Price: around $17
Count: 30 vegetarian capsules
CFU count: 25 billion
Dose: one per day
Strain: Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus
RenewLife states these capsules support vaginal health, urinary health, digestive health, and the over-all health of the immune system.
Unlike many pH balance pills, this supplement is shelf-stable, which means refrigeration is not required.
The company claims that one RenewLife Probiotics for Women pill contains as many active cultures as 25 containers of probiotic yogurt.
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gluten-, soy-, GMO-, and dairy-free
suitable for vegetarians
some customers state it is difficult to open the bottle
some reviewers say that the pills caused side effects such as bloating, gas, and loose stools
Uqora Promote Capsules
Price: $30
Count: 30 capsules
CFU count: 10 billion
Dose: one pill daily, with water
Strain: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Reuteri
Uqora states that these capsules can help maintain vaginal health by promoting healthy vaginal bacteria. People can use this alone or alongside other Uqora products.
These capsules are vegan and antibiotic- and gluten-free.
The company offers a subscribe and save option, lowering the price to $25 per bottle.
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vegan and antibiotic- and gluten-free
offers a subscribe and save option
some customers report noticing no difference after using this product
others say they developed acne and diarrhea after using these capsules
Comparison chart
The table below shows how the selected products differ from each other:
AZO
Garden of Life
HUM
Wisp
RenewLife
Uqora
Why balanced vaginal pH levels are necessary
The bacteria lactobacilli live inside the vagina. They help keep vaginal pH levels under 4.5, which helps prevent bacterial and yeast infections.
lactobacilli
According to a 2022 review, lactobacilli also produce lactic acid, which helps prevent the growth of other types of bacteria.
2022 review
People with balanced pH levels may notice a clear to white vaginal discharge that may appear yellow when it dries on their underpants. During ovulation, the discharge increases and may have a stretchy texture.
ovulation
The following factors may disrupt vaginal pH balance:
using a vaginal douche
vaginal douche
using vaginal deodorants
vaginal deodorants
using scented wipes
engaging in sexual activity without barrier methods, such as condoms
condoms
Learn more about vaginal pH balance.
Learn more about vaginal pH balance
About male pH balance
Balanitis is the medical term for inflammation and irritation of the tip of the penis due to a bacterial or fungal infection. The condition can cause the following symptoms:
Balanitis
symptoms
pain when urinating
pain when urinating
bleeding around the foreskin
an unpleasant smell
itchy and sore skin
A 2022 review notes that balanitis is a common condition affecting 3–11% of males. Possible causes include:
3–11% of males
not washing the penis properly
using soaps and condoms that irritate the skin
sexually transmitted infections
sexually transmitted infections
diabetes
diabetes
How probiotics affect pH levels
Probiotics are health-promoting live bacteria and yeasts that are available in the form of dietary supplements.
health-promoting
Probiotics can help restore the natural balance of bacteria throughout the body. This could help rebalance vaginal pH levels and combat vaginal infections.
A 2019 meta-analysis notes that probiotics can prevent the bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) from growing inside the vagina. However, further research is necessary to confirm this effect.
2019 meta-analysis
bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Symptoms that vaginal pH levels may be out of balance
According to the American College Of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, BV or yeast infections can occur due to a bacterial imbalance within the vagina. This imbalance has associations with an increase in vaginal pH levels that causes the vagina to become less acidic.
American College Of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
yeast infections
Some symptoms that may indicate a vaginal infection include:
include
skin rash or redness
itching or burning sensation
unusual vaginal discharge
unpleasant odor
When to speak with a doctor
People should consult a doctor if they experience persistent or worsening vaginal symptoms despite taking a probiotic supplement or other over-the-counter treatment.
A doctor can also check the vaginal pH level and determine if an individual has an infection.
Frequently asked questions
Some frequently asked questions about vaginal pH levels include:
Some natural remedies that can help rebalance the vaginal pH include:
Quitting smoking: A 2018 article notes that a person who smokes may have reduced levels of lactobacillus in their vagina. This can increase their chance of experiencing unpleasant odors or infections.
Quitting smoking
2018 article
Avoiding douching: Douching refers to cleaning the inside of the vagina with water and other fluids, such as vinegar and baking soda. This can increase the growth of harmful bacteria. If a person already has an infection, douching can spread the infection to the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
increase
Using condoms: Semen is alkaline, so if it enters the vagina, it may cause an increase in vaginal pH levels.
An imbalance in the vaginal pH can cause the following symptoms:
unusual vaginal discharge
unpleasant odor
itchiness
skin redness or rashes
An older study from 2006 investigated the effects of topical vitamin C on vaginal pH levels in women with a high vaginal pH. They found that vitamin C can have a long lasting effect in lowering vaginal pH levels.
older study from 2006
vitamin C
The following factors can disrupt vaginal pH levels:
douching
not changing tampons regularly
having sex without condoms
taking antibiotics
antibiotics
According to a 2019 review, possible side effects of taking pH pills include:
2019 review
abdominal pain
flatulence
dizziness
bloating
body odor
Summary
The vagina has a natural pH level of under 4.5, a slightly acidic environment that helps protect against bacterial and yeast infections.
A vaginal pH imbalance can occur due to douching, using vaginal wipes or deodorants, or having sex without a condom. Such imbalances can result in vaginal infections, which may cause several symptoms, including vaginal irritation, unusual vaginal discharge, and an unpleasant odor.
People who experience symptoms of a vaginal infection may consider taking probiotics to help rebalance vaginal pH levels. These products are available for purchase online. Anyone who experiences persistent or worsening symptoms should speak with their doctor for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment.