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How pH Can Alter Your Fertility
Author: Stef Daniel
Remember when having a baby was simple? Now that YOU are trying to conceive, your life has been filled with a myriad of information telling you everything from checking your own cervical mucus to worrying about your vaginal pH. Apparently, pH isn’t something that only matters in swimming pools… Keep reading for information on how your pH can alter your fertility and some quick tips you can use to balance your body’s acid and alkaline environment.
In the recent years, there has been a lot of research completed about how body pH can affect you, causing illness and disease. People with a urine pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 are normally healthier. Your pH is largely determined by foods you eat and environmental toxins you’re exposed to. If your body pH is too acidic, your cervical mucus will also be acidic, creating a hostile environment for sperm seeking an egg. Sperm cannot live beyond two hours in this type of environment.
During ovulation, your cervical mucus is alkaline and less acidic. Leutenizing hormonal surges keep your cervical mucus alkaline so sperm can survive for up to 48 hours inside the reproductive organs.
Vaginal pH is slightly different from body pH because it is affected by your menstrual cycle and hormones. Normal vaginal pH levels are considered 3.8 to 4.5. However, at the time of ovulation, the vaginal pH should be anywhere in the range of 7 to 14, which is considered very alkaline and non-toxic to sperm.
How do you determine your vaginal pH? Lucky for you, there are kits sold that you can use in the privacy of your own home to determine vaginal pH. Local drug stores, and various websites, sell pH testing kits for under $20. It works by applying test strips to the inner wall of your vagina for a few minutes, and then a color-coded screening chart will tell you what you vaginal pH is.
If your pH is too acidic – meaning unfriendly for sperm—you will need to eat alkaline foods, or foods that will reduce acid. There are many healthy choices such as grains, beans, legumes, and healthy Omega oils. Fresh fruits and vegetables, although acidic in their raw form, actually have an alkaline affect on the body. Sugar turns to acid and should be avoided. Also, there are creams that alter the pH of the cervical mucus. If the vaginal environment becomes too alkaline and stays that way during your entire cycle, you may be more prone to yeast infections.
After testing your vaginal pH, if you realize that it is too acidic, you should talk to your physician.
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