The Goals of Testing
You may want to test your vaginal pH if you are experiencing unusual vaginal symptoms, such as itching, burning, a foul vaginal odor, or abnormal vaginal discharge.
This can help you decide whether or not you might need medical treatment. However, you should understand that an at-home test will not help diagnose HIV, chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, or group B streptococcus.
Frequently, when women experience unusual vaginal symptoms, the first thing that comes to mind is vaginal yeast infections. If you experience vaginal symptoms that you think might indicate a vaginal yeast infection, this test can help you rule out other types of infections.
Before you treat yourself using over-the-counter (OTC) medications, you may be well served to confirm the diagnosis with your healthcare provider.
Test Instructions
A home vaginal pH test kit generally includes a piece of pH test paper and a color chart for determining your vaginal pH results. The test is performed by placing a test paper against the wall of your vagina and comparing the color change against a reference chart.
Interpreting the Results
If your test comes with a color reference chart, compare the color of the strip to obtain the pH value. Other tests will only read “normal” (white) or “abnormal” (blue/green).
For color reference kits, vaginal acidity/alkalinity is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. Normal vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5 (slightly acidic). Abnormal values are those that higher or lower than this range. Higher ranges are more alkaline; lower ranges are more acidic.
Abnormal vaginal pH frequently indicates the presence of a vaginal infection. However, you should know that not all vaginal infections cause changes to vaginal pH. This means that having a normal vaginal pH test does not necessarily mean that you do not have a vaginal infection.
If your vaginal pH is above normal, the most likely reason is that you have bacterial vaginosis (BV) and not a yeast infection. In this case, don’t use OTC medications for vaginal yeast infections, because the medication will not treat your BV. Instead, you’ll need to see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
On the other hand, if your vaginal pH is normal or below normal and you’ve had previous vaginal yeast infections diagnosed by a healthcare provider, you can try one of the OTC medications for vaginal yeast infections. If this does not cure your vaginal symptoms or infection, see your healthcare provider for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
