Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health How to Use At-Home Vaginal pH Tests By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth LinkedIn Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 09, 2023 Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology. She is a clinical assistant professor at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print A vaginal pH test is a simple way to measure how acidic or alkaline your vaginal secretions are. Elevated pH levels may signal a vaginal infection. You can purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal pH test kit to use at home. The kit includes a vaginal swab, pH test paper, and a chart for interpreting your results. Your results may help you decide whether you need to visit a healthcare provider. This article explains how to use an at-home vaginal pH test, the goals of testing, and how to interpret your results. Verywell / Jo Zixuan Zhou The Goals of Testing You may want to test your vaginal pH if you are experiencing unusual vaginal symptoms, such as itching, burning, a foul vaginal odor, or abnormal vaginal discharge. This can help you decide whether or not you might need medical treatment. However, you should understand that an at-home test will not help diagnose HIV, chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, or group B streptococcus. Frequently, when women experience unusual vaginal symptoms, the first thing that comes to mind is a vaginal yeast infection. If you experience symptoms that you think might indicate a vaginal yeast infection, this test can help you rule out other types of infections. Before you treat yourself using over-the-counter (OTC) medications, however, you may want to consult with your healthcare provider. Test Instructions A home vaginal pH test kit generally includes a piece of pH test paper and a color chart for determining your vaginal pH results. The test is performed by placing a test paper against the wall of your vagina and comparing the color change against a reference chart. How to Use a Vaginal pH Swab Wash your hands.Remove the pH swab from the package by its handle. Do not allow the pH paper to come into contact with anything.Hold the swab handle between your thumb and forefinger so that the test strip is facing your thumb.Spread your labia with your free hand.Insert the swab into your vagina, tilting it so that the paper comes fully in contact with the vaginal wall.Hold for 5 seconds.Remove the swab, being careful not to touch the paper.Compare the color of the paper to the colors on the chart to determine your results. When to See a Healthcare Provider About Vaginal Discharge Interpreting the Results If your test comes with a color reference chart, compare the color of the strip to obtain the pH value. Some tests will only read "normal" (white) or "abnormal" (blue/green). For color reference kits, vaginal acidity/alkalinity is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. Normal vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5 (slightly acidic). Abnormal values are those that higher or lower than this range. Higher ranges are more alkaline; lower ranges are more acidic. Abnormal vaginal pH frequently indicates the presence of a vaginal infection. However, you should know that not all vaginal infections cause changes to vaginal pH. This means that having a normal vaginal pH test does not necessarily mean that you do not have a vaginal infection. If your vaginal pH is above normal, it's likely that you have bacterial vaginosis (BV) and not a yeast infection. An OTC yeast infection medication will not treat your BV. Instead, you'll need to see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, if your vaginal pH is normal or below normal and you've had previous vaginal yeast infections diagnosed by a healthcare provider, you can try one of the OTC medications for vaginal yeast infections. If this does not cure your vaginal symptoms or infection, see your healthcare provider for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Summary An at-home, OTC vaginal pH test is a simple way to measure how acidic or alkaline your vaginal secretions are, especially if you suspect you may have a vaginal infection. Based on your results, you may be able to treat the infection on your own, or you may need to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Frequently Asked Questions How does a vaginal pH test work? A vaginal pH test involves a swab with a paper test strip that is swabbed inside the vagina. The test strip will change color and is then compared to a color reference chart that measures vaginal pH on a scale of 1 to 14. Normal vaginal pH is between 3.8 and 4.5. Anything below 3.8 or above 4.5 is considered abnormal. When should I use a vaginal pH test? You should use a vaginal pH test if there are symptoms of a vaginal infection, such as itching, burning, unpleasant odor, or unusual discharge. What does a vaginal pH test diagnose? A vaginal pH test only measures vaginal acidity. It can not definitively diagnose any medical condition, although an elevated pH (over 4.5) may suggest bacterial vaginosis (BV), particularly when accompanied by symptoms. Learn More: Bacterial Vaginosis or Yeast Infection? Does a normal vaginal pH mean that I don't have an infection? No. You can have a vaginal infection and still have a normal pH. This is especially true if you have a yeast infection. If you have symptoms of a vaginal infection of any sort, see a healthcare provider no matter what the test says. Do home vaginal pH tests differ from those used by healthcare providers? They are practically identical. With that said, a healthcare provider can perform other exams and tests to diagnose and treat any infection (including sexually transmitted infections) more definitively. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaginal pH. Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan. Vaginal wet mount. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Vaginitis. Food and Drug Administration. Vaginal pH. Jeanmonod R, Jeanmonod D. Vaginal candidiasis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit