The signs that your pH balance might be off depend on whether you are concerned about general body pH or specifically vaginal pH balance. Here are the key indicators for both: For overall body pH imbalance (such as acidosis or alkalosis), symptoms may include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, confusion, sleepiness, muscle spasms, and breath shortness depending on the type of imbalance. For vaginal pH imbalance, common signs include:
- Changes in vaginal discharge (color, consistency, amount), like thick white discharge resembling cottage cheese or gray/green discharge
- Unusual vaginal odor, often described as fishy or foul
- Persistent vulvar itching and swelling
- Burning sensation when urinating, during sex, or tampon insertion
- Vaginal irritation, redness, or discomfort
- Pain during or after penetrative sex
If these symptoms are noticed, it is advisable to do a home pH test or consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment since infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections are often linked to pH imbalances. Vaginal pH typically ranges from 3.8 to 4.5, and deviations outside this range may suggest imbalance. In summary, symptoms to watch for include fatigue and digestive/heart signs for systemic pH imbalance, and changes in vaginal discharge, odor, itching, burning, or irritation for vaginal pH imbalance.
