When your vaginal pH level is off, you could notice unusual odors and discomfort. Probiotic pH pills may help. Learn more and see our top choices.

<img src="/uploadfile/2024/1217/20241217100149737.jpg" alt="Three vaginal pH probiotic supplements, including RenewLife Women"s Care, HUM Private Party, and Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics" class="css-1jytyml"/>Share on Pinterest

Quick look at the best pH balance pills

• Best overall: Renew Life Women's Care Probiotic  | Skip to review
• Best third-party tested: HUM Private Party Probiotic  | Skip to review
• Best vegan formula: Uqora Promote Capsules | Skip to review
• Best customer rating: Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotic Capsules | Skip to review
• Best gummies: Lemme Purr Vaginal Health Gummies | Skip to review

If you’re experiencing unusual vaginal symptoms like itchiness or odor, it may be due to a pH imbalance. This disruption in body chemistry can create an environment for bacterial growth, among other things.

PH balance pills work to restore healthy pH by supporting bacterial balance.

Read on to learn more about pH balance pills, who might benefit from taking them, and for our dietitians’ recommendations of the best options.

Why pH balance pills?

PH balance pills may help balance vaginal pH levels. When your vaginal pH level is off, you may notice an unusual odor, itchiness, and general discomfort, along with yeast or bacterial vaginosis (BV) infections. Taking pH balance pills may help maintain good levels of healthy and unhealthy bacteria.

PH balance pills typically contain probiotics. These are living microorganisms that, when ingested, can provide certain health benefits. Probiotics may help with:

• gut and digestive health
• lowering inflammation
• managing depression and anxiety
• immune function
• skin health
• aging support

Different probiotics affect different parts of the body. Experts have long researched probiotics for vaginal health.

Still, despite years of research, experts say more studies are needed to draw strong relationships between specific probiotics supplements and vaginal pH.

Do probiotics for pH balance actually work?

The only proven treatments for BV and yeast infections are antibiotic and antifungal treatments. But recurrence is possible because these treatments may have adverse effects on Lactobacilli levels in the vagina, throwing off its balance.

Because of that, some researchers suggest adding probiotics as a complementary therapy to antibiotics.

In fact, a 2022 review of 18 studies found that adding 1–3 months of probiotics treatment along with antibiotics may significantly reduce the recurrence rate of BV, compared with taking only antibiotics.

Similarly, a 2020 review of 30 studies found that taking probiotics alongside antibiotics helped improve the cure rate and reduce the recurrent rate of vaginitis. But researchers noted benefits were highest after 1 month of supplementing, and they seemed to level off after 6 months.

Are probiotics beneficial if you haven’t been taking antibiotics?

Experts are still researching how effective probiotics are for vaginal pH, with promising results so far.

People with a vagina may benefit from probiotics with Lactobacilli if they have BV or a yeast infection.

A 2023 study of 36 women found that taking a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT LA1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CBT LR5, and Lactobacillus reuteri CBT LU4 significantly improved vaginal dysbiosis. Vaginal dysbiosis is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria.

Additionally, a 2022 test tube study suggests that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P1 could be beneficial in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, a type of bacteria found in the vagina.

Again, while promising, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of probiotic supplements for improving vaginal pH.

If you choose to try pH balance pills, be sure to talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional before introducing them to your diet. They can review your medical history and help you decide whether or not it’s a good idea.

You can start with a lower dose of colony forming units (CFUs) and work your way up once your body adjusts to the supplements. The best time to take a probiotic is with a meal or 30 minutes before eating and 2 hours before or after taking antibiotics. It may take a few weeks to see a difference.

A note on safety

Supplements, including pH balance pills, don’t have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval or authorization. If you have any doubts about adding a supplement to your diet, talk with a primary care doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to do so.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $20
• $$ = $20–$30
• $$$ = over $30

Healthline’s picks for the best pH balance pills

Best overall

Renew Life Women's Care Probiotic

4.6 (262+) from Iherb

• Dose: 1 capsule per day
• CFU count: 25 billion
• Shelf-stable: yes
• Certifications: non-GMO verified
• Price: $$$

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Healthline's review

Renew Life Women’s Care Probiotic Capsules is our pick for the best overall probiotic for vaginal pH thanks to its 12 clinically backed probiotic strains, including

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which can colonize the human microbiome and has been found to support immune health, digestive balance, and respiratory health
• L. rhamnosus GR-1, which may help reduce recurrence of BV and UTIs
• L. acidophilus La-14, which may help maintain a healthy and stable vaginal microbiota

Renew Life guarantees the potency, purity, and quality of its probiotic supplements. However, the products don’t appear to be third-party tested to confirm label accuracy.

Pros & cons

• contains multiple evidence-backed strains
• dairy- and gluten-free
• purity, quality, and potency guaranteed by the company

• not shelf-stable
• relatively expensive
• unclear if third-party tested for purity and potency

• contains multiple evidence-backed strains
• dairy- and gluten-free
• purity, quality, and potency guaranteed by the company

• not shelf-stable
• relatively expensive
• unclear if third-party tested for purity and potency

Product details

• Form: capsule
• Count: 30
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04, Bifidobacterium lactis DSM 15954, Bifidobacterium infantis Bi-26, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus plantarum Lp-115, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactococcus lactis LI-23, Lactobacillus casei Lc-11, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Lactobacillus brevis Lbr-35

• Form: capsule
• Count: 30
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04, Bifidobacterium lactis DSM 15954, Bifidobacterium infantis Bi-26, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus plantarum Lp-115, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactococcus lactis LI-23, Lactobacillus casei Lc-11, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Lactobacillus brevis Lbr-35

Best third-party tested

HUM Private Party Probiotic

4.7 (615+) from HUM Nutrition

• Dose: 1 capsule
• Certifications: certified to follow GMPs, vegan, gluten-free, non GMO
• CFU count: 10 billion
• Shelf-stable: yes
• Price: $$

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Healthline's review

HUM is a supplement company known for its commitment to quality.

In addition to being third-party tested to make sure the contents match what’s listed on the label, HUM Private Party is also Clean Label Project certified, vegan-friendly, and free from artificial colors, additives, and preservatives.

HUM Private Party is formulated by registered dietitians to support vaginal and urinary tract health. Some key ingredients include:

• Cranberry extract: Research suggests that cranberry extract may be particularly effective for preventing UTIs.
• L. acidophilus: This is the most researched probiotic strain for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
• L. rhamnosus: This is a strain commonly found in the normal vaginal microbiome that promotes a healthy vaginal pH.

For best results, HUM recommends taking one capsule per day with or without food.

What our tester says

“I tested this product for about a month. I took the pill once a day with water, not with food, as directed. I like that its a vegan product! The capsule is brownish, small, and easy to swallow. I had no side effects.”

— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor

“I tested this product for about a month. I took the pill once a day with water, not with food, as directed. I like that its a vegan product! The capsule is brownish, small, and easy to swallow. I had no side effects.”

— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor

Pros & cons

• vegan-friendly
• gluten-free
• third-party tested for purity and quality
• available online and at several big chain stores, including Target
• free of artifical additives and preservatives
• clinically backed strains

• not shelf-stable

• vegan-friendly
• gluten-free
• third-party tested for purity and quality
• available online and at several big chain stores, including Target
• free of artifical additives and preservatives
• clinically backed strains

• not shelf-stable

Product details

• Form: capsule
• Count: 30
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14), Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri

• Form: capsule
• Count: 30
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14), Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri

Best vegan formula

Uqora Promote Capsules

4.8 (835+) from Uqora

• Dose: 1 capsule per day
• CFU count: 10 billion
• Shelf-stable: yes
• Certifications: none
• Price: $$

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Healthline's review

Uqora Promote Capsules are vegan-friendly, making them a good option if you follow a vegan lifestyle.

Similar to the previous products, Uqora contains strains that have the most research to support their benefits for vaginal health.

More specifically, the three strains included in the supplement are:

• L. acidophilus
• L. rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus reuteri

For best results, Uqora suggests you take one supplement every day with water.

Uqora’s website doesn’t clarify whether its supplements undergo third-party testing. However, Uqora Promote is sold at CVS, which requires supplements to be third-party tested for purity and potency.

Pros & cons

• vegan-friendly
• gluten-free
• money back guarantee
• clinically backed strains
• flexible spending account (FSA)/health savings account (HSA) eligible
• shelf-stable

• can be expensive if not enrolled in subscription
• unclear if third-party tested

• vegan-friendly
• gluten-free
• money back guarantee
• clinically backed strains
• flexible spending account (FSA)/health savings account (HSA) eligible
• shelf-stable

• can be expensive if not enrolled in subscription
• unclear if third-party tested

Product details

• Form: capsules
• Count: 30
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri

• Form: capsules
• Count: 30
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri

Best customer rating

Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotic Capsules

4.4 (12.1k+) from Amazon

• Dose: 2 capsules per day
• CFU count: 1 billion
• Shelf-stable: yes
• Certifications: none
• Price: $$

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Healthline's review

With thousands of mostly 5-star reviews on Amazon and Love Wellness’s website, Good Girl Probiotics is a clear fan favorite.

The supplement claims that it “maintains urinary tract health while balancing vaginal yeast and bacteria.” It contains nine strains, including:

• B. subtilis DE111, which may help destroy harmful pathogens in the urinary tract
• L. acidophilus
• L. rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus gasseri, a strain found in the vaginal flora

In addition to being vegan-friendly, the capsules are free of gluten, synthetic dyes, and sugar.

Good Girl Probiotic is shelf-stable and manufactured in an NSF registered facility. However, it’s unclear whether products are routinely third-party tested to confirm purity and potency.

Pros & cons

• gluten- and dairy-free
• vegan-friendly
• shelf-stable
• manufactured in NSF International facility

• not third-party tested for purity and potency

• gluten- and dairy-free
• vegan-friendly
• shelf-stable
• manufactured in NSF International facility

• not third-party tested for purity and potency

Product details

• Form: capsules
• Count: 60
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Bacillus subtilis DE111, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei

Women-Founded

• Form: capsules
• Count: 60
• Number of servings: 30
• Strains: Bacillus subtilis DE111, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei

Women-Founded

Best gummies

Lemme Purr Vaginal Health Gummies

4.3 (1.2k+) from Amazon

• Dose: 2 gummies per day
• Certifications : third-party tested for purity and potency
• CFU count: 6 billion
• Shelf-stable: yes
• Price: $$

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Healthline's review

If you dislike swallowing pills, Lemme Purr Gummies may be worth considering.

The gummies are vegan-friendly and contain B. coagulans, a probiotic strain that may help with recovering from BV.

However, it’s important to note that the study on this strain used a dose of 10 billion CFUs, whereas a serving of these gummies only contain 6 billion.

In addition to probiotics, Lemme Purr Gummies also include vitamin C. A 2011 study found topical application of vitamin C to be effective for improving vaginal pH levels. However, it’s unknown whether oral use of vitamin C has a similar effect.

Lemme supplements are third-party tested to ensure purity and potency, though the name of the testing organization isn’t disclosed.

Pros & cons

• vegan-friendly
• gluten-free
• third-party tested for purity and potency
• shelf-stable
• easier to take than swallowing pills

• may not contain an effective dose of probiotics
• limited research on benefit of oral vitamin C supplements for vaginal pH
• contains 3 grams of added sugar per serving

• vegan-friendly
• gluten-free
• third-party tested for purity and potency
• shelf-stable
• easier to take than swallowing pills

• may not contain an effective dose of probiotics
• limited research on benefit of oral vitamin C supplements for vaginal pH
• contains 3 grams of added sugar per serving

Product details

• Form: gummy
• Number of servings: 30 per bottle
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Lactobacillus reuteri 3613-1, Bacillus coagulans SNZ1969, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001

• Form: gummy
• Number of servings: 30 per bottle
• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Lactobacillus reuteri 3613-1, Bacillus coagulans SNZ1969, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001

A comparison of the best pH balance pills

-IngredientsDaily doseShelf-stableRenew Life Women’s Care Probiotic Capsules12 probiotic strains1 capsulenoHUM Nutrition Private Party Probiotic Capsules• cranberry extract• 3 probiotic strains1 capsuleno3 probiotic strains1 capsuleyesLove Wellness Good Girl Probiotic Capsules9 probiotic strains1 capsuleyesLemme Purr Vaginal Health Gummies• B. coagulans SZN 1969• vitamin C• pineapple fruit powder2 gummiesyes

How we chose

• Clinically tested strains: We only chose products that contains probiotic strains that have been shown to be effective for improving vaginal health.
• Safety considerations: The best way to ensure the safety, purity, and potency of a probiotic supplement is to purchase a product that’s third-party tested by a credible organization. We chose products that were third-party tested, follow current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs), or are registered by an NSF International facility.
• CFU count: We included options that contain an effective dose of strains clinically proven to improve vaginal health.
• Customer reviews: We only included options with mostly positive ratings and reviews from customers. While different supplements work for different people, we heavily researched every pick.
• Price: We made sure to include a variety of options at different price points.
• Vetting: Every product included in our roundups has been vetted for medical and business standards. This helps ensures that we’re only including items that are trustworthy and accessible.

What is vaginal pH?

PH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline (aka basic) something is. The scale runs from 0–14. The pH balance of your vagina can help determine whether or not it’s at a healthy level.

A healthy vaginal pH level is between 3.8–4.5. However, a healthy pH level will vary based on your age.

During your reproductive years, from ages 15–49, your vaginal pH will typically be at or below 4.5. Before menstruation and after menopause, a healthy pH will be higher than 4.5.

An acidic vagina means that it’s more protective. It creates a barrier that prevents unhealthy bacteria and yeast from multiplying too quickly and causing infection.

Having a vaginal pH level above 4.5 puts you at risk of several infections, like BV or trichomoniasis, sometimes known as trich.

An unbalanced pH level can be caused by:

• sex without a condom or other barrier method
• antibiotics
• douching
• menstrual periods
• anything that isn’t sanitized and is inserted into the vagina
• any product that contains vinegar

Frequently asked questions about pH balance

How do you know if pH balance is off?

If you frequently experience UTIs, yeast infections, general discomfort, itching, or odor, it may indicate a vaginal pH balance.

Visit an OB-GYN for yearly checkups. It’s also good idea to schedule an appointment if you have itching, burning, foul odor, or unusual discharge.

If you frequently experience UTIs, yeast infections, general discomfort, itching, or odor, it may indicate a vaginal pH balance.

Visit an OB-GYN for yearly checkups. It’s also good idea to schedule an appointment if you have itching, burning, foul odor, or unusual discharge.

What vitamins help with pH balance?

While more research is needed, vitamins C and D may be particularly important for vaginal health and maintaining a healthy pH balance.

While more research is needed, vitamins C and D may be particularly important for vaginal health and maintaining a healthy pH balance.

Additional resources

Diet and lifestyle can support vaginal health. These articles explain how.

• What Are the Best Foods to Eat to Support Your Vaginal Health?
• 8 Ways to Naturally Restore Your Vaginal pH Balance
• 6 Vitamins That May Help with Vaginal Dryness
• What You Need to Know About Vaginal Health at Every Age

The bottom line

PH balance pills can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy vaginal pH level. They aren’t a must-have for people with a vagina, but they may be helpful if you frequently experience:

• yeast infections
• UTIs
• BV

If you have concerns about introducing a supplement into your diet, talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional about your vaginal health before doing so.