Ads
related to: unbalanced ph in females
Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The pH of the vaginal discharge in pregnancy tends to be more acidic than normal due to increased production of lactic acid. [13] This acidic environment helps to provide protection from many infections, though conversely it also makes women more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections. [13] [2]
The use of acidosis for a low pH creates an ambiguity in its meaning. The difference is important where a patient has factors causing both acidosis and alkalosis, wherein the relative severity of both determines whether the result is a high, low, or normal pH. [citation needed] Alkalemia occurs at a pH over 7.45.
Although the lactic acid produced by lactobacilli contributes to the vaginal acidity, it is still not proven to be the primary source of low vaginal pH, but the fact remains that most lactobacilli thrive best at a pH < 3.5 . [13] [14] [15] Normal vaginal pH is considered to be under 4.5 with a range of 3.8 to 4.4. [5]
Women who have diabetes develop infectious vaginitis more often than women who do not. [18] Further, either a change in pH balance or introduction of foreign bacteria in the vagina can lead to infectious vaginitis. Physical factors that have been claimed to contribute to the development of infections include the following: constantly wet vulva ...
BV is the most common infection of the vagina in women of reproductive age. [5] The percentage of women affected at any given time varies between 5% and 70%. [11] BV is most common in parts of Africa, and least common in Asia and Europe. [11] In the United States, about 30% of those between the ages of 14 and 49 are affected. [18]
The strips change color depending on the pH of the fluid. The strips will turn blue if the pH is greater than 6.0. A blue strip means it's more likely the membranes have ruptured. This test, however, can produce false positives. If blood gets in the sample or if there is an infection present, the pH of the vaginal fluid may be higher than normal.
Ad
related to: unbalanced ph in females