You know the drill. It’s the week before you’re supposed to get your period (for me it happens about three days prior), and suddenly your vagina is screaming “red alert,” itching like crazy! What gives?
It comes down to vaginal pH levels. A healthy pH level for the vagina is about 3.5-4.5 – slightly acidic. Right before your period, your pH plummets. This is because your estrogen levels have gone up, which has caused an increase in sugar in the vaginal tissue, which has made your vagina even more acidic. And as it turns out, yeast looooves acid. So you might have a slight (or not-so-slight!) yeast infection.
And if you’re itchy during your period? Again, it’s about pH levels. The pH of blood is 7.34 to 7.45, much higher than the pH of a healthy vagina. So the presence of blood can make your vagina not acidic enough, or too alkaline, which can lead to Bacterial Vaginosis. Ditto heterosexual intercourse; the average pH of semen is 7.2 to 7.8. And if you treat BV with antibiotics, that can lead right back to yeast infection, which is just so much fun!
So what can you do about it? Well, you want to keep a good balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your vagina; too little “good” bacteria and you get yeast infections, too much “bad” bacteria and you get BV. Probiotics are your friend, whether in pill form, via vaginal suppositories, or through your diet. Full-fat Greek yogurt and probiotic-rich veggie powder are my weapons of choice (and they help with digestion, too!).
You also, paradoxically, might NOT want to wash downstairs in the shower. Soaps have a pH of 9-10, and water has a pH of 7, so again, it throws off your pH balance. Your vagina is like a self-cleaning oven; let it do its thing! If you really don’t feel comfortable skipping the washing altogether, at least make sure you’re using a non-scented soap.
Revel in full-coverage cotton underwear that’s not too tight. Your honey badger needs to breathe; synthetic fabrics and thongs seal in all your moisture, and yeast is a big fan of moisture.
Lastly, take care of yourself. The stronger your immune system is, the easier it’ll be to fight off infections.
Good luck!
It comes down to vaginal pH levels. A healthy pH level for the vagina is about 3.5-4.5 – slightly acidic. Right before your period, your pH plummets. This is because your estrogen levels have gone up, which has caused an increase in sugar in the vaginal tissue, which has made your vagina even more acidic. And as it turns out, yeast looooves acid. So you might have a slight (or not-so-slight!) yeast infection.
And if you’re itchy during your period? Again, it’s about pH levels. The pH of blood is 7.34 to 7.45, much higher than the pH of a healthy vagina. So the presence of blood can make your vagina not acidic enough, or too alkaline, which can lead to Bacterial Vaginosis. Ditto heterosexual intercourse; the average pH of semen is 7.2 to 7.8. And if you treat BV with antibiotics, that can lead right back to yeast infection, which is just so much fun!
So what can you do about it? Well, you want to keep a good balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your vagina; too little “good” bacteria and you get yeast infections, too much “bad” bacteria and you get BV. Probiotics are your friend, whether in pill form, via vaginal suppositories, or through your diet. Full-fat Greek yogurt and probiotic-rich veggie powder are my weapons of choice (and they help with digestion, too!).
You also, paradoxically, might NOT want to wash downstairs in the shower. Soaps have a pH of 9-10, and water has a pH of 7, so again, it throws off your pH balance. Your vagina is like a self-cleaning oven; let it do its thing! If you really don’t feel comfortable skipping the washing altogether, at least make sure you’re using a non-scented soap.
Revel in full-coverage cotton underwear that’s not too tight. Your honey badger needs to breathe; synthetic fabrics and thongs seal in all your moisture, and yeast is a big fan of moisture.
Lastly, take care of yourself. The stronger your immune system is, the easier it’ll be to fight off infections.
Good luck!
Loading...
I know we all our itching for some answers . I am 46 started having this issue about 3 months ago. So far from my research I concluded it's the balance of estrogen and progesterone that gets thrown off right before periods making the V acidic leading to symptoms of yeast infection
Loading...
I've had this problem since after I had my first child. It is sometimes more intense then other times. I've been to lots of doctors also. I've come to the conclusion from internet research (I know that's crazy talk) it's a ph imbalance. Washing with a little baking soda or soaking in a bath with baking soda helps bring the ph to a normal balance. Also at night it seems to be worse the day or two before my period and a warm washcloth and no panties helps a lot. I'm glad this seems to be a normal-ish problem.
Loading...
TMI!! I recently had the nexplanon implant inserted on the 25th of September on the 5th day of my period, my period only lasts 5 days. Since having neplanon inserted everytime after sexual intercourse it is painful to pee, Today is the 17th of October and since the 14th I have noticed some spotting and I have started my period, last night my vagina started to see and is agony, has anybody else had such a problem????
Loading...
More than likely it is NOT the BC. I have NEVER taken a single BC pill and I experience it every month right before my period. It is a normal symptom of menstruation. I never experienced it until after I had my daughter (from what I remember). It's caused by a drop in your hormones when your body realizes your not pregnant causing drying of the vaginal fluids.
Loading...
Goodmornin ladies i only started havin dis problem dis week before my period n it is a change in the pH balance of ur vagina that causes d itchin and wil soon stop as ur period starts or ends no worries
Loading...
Hi. I'm having the same problem. The itch is in my vulva, but not inside my vagina. No discharge either. I am waiting to get my period any day now. I'm hoping to God it's not an infection but the itch is awful!!!! Please help.
Loading...
Bacteria vaginosis. Probiotics for FLORA is magic! I take right before and after my period and it goes away.
Loading...