Vaginal Health ·

Signs Your Vaginal Microbiome Is Out of Balance and How Probiotics Help

Vaginal health is something many women only think about when something feels “off.” But your vagina has its own ecosystem, the vaginal microbiome, and when that balance is disrupted, your body often signals. Let’s talk about the signs your vaginal microbiome may be out of balance and how probiotics can help support daily vaginal health from the inside out.

What Is the Vaginal Microbiome?

The vaginal microbiome is made up of billions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. A healthy vaginal environment is typically dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria, which help maintain a slightly acidic pH and protect against unwanted bacterial overgrowth.

When these protective bacteria are reduced, the vaginal environment becomes more vulnerable to irritation, infection, and imbalance.

How to Tell If Your Vaginal pH Is Imbalanced

One of the most apparent signs of a vaginal pH imbalance is a change in odor that lingers after bathing or appears alongside other unusual symptoms.

A healthy vulva and vagina can naturally smell slightly salty, sweet, or musky. You may even notice a more metallic scent around your menstrual cycle. However, a strong fishy or foul odor is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), one of the most common vaginal infections in the U.S.

Other symptoms that may indicate an underlying pH imbalance include:

  • Increased vaginal discharge

  • Itching in or around the vagina

  • Pain during or after penetrative sex

  • Burning or discomfort during urination

  • Changes in discharge texture or color

Yeast infections typically cause a thick, white discharge, while BV is more commonly associated with thin gray or green discharge (Healthline, 2025).

Why Vaginal Balance Matters for Long-Term Health

Disrupting the vagina’s natural acidity can cause discomfort and increase vulnerability to infection. BV develops when certain bacteria overgrow and raise vaginal pH levels, creating a more alkaline environment.

Yeast infections, on the other hand, tend to make the vaginal environment more acidic. While acidity doesn’t necessarily increase the risk of infection, a sustained imbalance may affect fertility, since sperm thrive best in a more alkaline environment (Healthline, 2025).

What Can Cause Vaginal pH Imbalance?

Some pH changes are completely normal, such as a temporary rise in pH during the menstrual cycle. 

Other everyday disruptors include:

  • Antibiotics, which reduce both harmful and beneficial bacteria

  • Sexual activity, including genital-to-genital or oral-genital contact

  • Shared or improperly cleaned sex toys

  • Scented “feminine” hygiene products, sprays, or suppositories

  • Douching or vaginal steaming, which disrupts the natural microbiome

These practices can interfere with the vagina’s ability to maintain its natural balance. 

How Probiotics Support Vaginal Health

Vaginal probiotics work by reintroducing beneficial bacteria, especially Lactobacillus strains, that help restore balance and maintain healthy pH levels.

With consistent use, probiotics can:

  • Support a healthy vaginal pH

  • Reduce odor-causing bacteria

  • Promote comfort and freshness

  • Help rebalance the microbiome after antibiotics or hormonal changes

  • Support long-term vaginal wellness

Rather than masking symptoms, probiotics help address imbalance at the source.

Her Balance Probiotic 

Her Balance was created with research, lived experience, and cultural understanding at the center.

Unlike generic probiotics, Her Balance supports:

  • Vaginal pH balance

  • Healthy bacterial diversity

  • Daily comfort and freshness

  • Long-term intimate wellness

It’s a proactive approach to care, without harsh cleansers or temporary fixes.

Supporting Vaginal Health Beyond Supplements

Probiotics work best alongside healthy habits like avoiding douching and scented feminine products, staying hydrated, wearing breathable underwear, managing stress, and maintaining routine gynecological care.

For women navigating frequent imbalance, Her Balance offers a science-backed way to support balance naturally, especially when daily care hasn’t always been centered on our true needs.

Sources

Healthline. (2025). Vaginal pH imbalance and symptoms.

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