How to control your PH? I often have odors but no infection.

Hello Ma'am,

First of all, I would like to mention that it is completely normal to have vaginal discharge, since it is the vagina's way of being "self-cleaning". A slight odor in the genitals is also normal, considering the moisture and possible sweating in the groin after a day.

However, there is a possibility of a vaginal infection known as "Yeast Vaginitis" where vaginal discharge is present in larger amounts (resembling "cottage cheese") with the presence of itching, pain during intercourse, irritation, and swelling in the labia. Wearing synthetic clothing that is too tight, taking antibiotics or corticosteroids, having sex, or even certain methods of birth control (spermicides, hormonal contraception, IUDs), can be risk factors. If you have had a treatment prescribed by a doctor in the past, your pharmacist may even prescribe it for you (under certain conditions). Otherwise, you can simply ask your pharmacist to recommend the appropriate treatment for you from the products available in the pharmacy.

In the event that the infection is characterized by a "fishy" odor, which is persistent even after getting out of the shower or worsens after sex and/or with increased moisture (tight clothing), it could very likely be a vaginal infection known as "Bacterial Vaginosis". This infection is also more likely to appear after unprotected sex (or with a new partner) or the use of irritating products in the vulva or vagina, such as "douches", perfumed soaps or Vagisil brand products. At this point, you will need to see your doctor to get a prescription for an antibiotic.

If the discharge is beige or yellow-greenish and you have pain when you urinate, it may be more of a sexually transmitted infection. A consultation with your doctor will also need to be done to treat it.