Vaginal health is very important to women, especially those looking to engage in that oral satisfaction. Yes, every woman wants to have that good time.
So, a balanced pH is very important in that context.
Healthline.com formulated an interesting article detailing eight food choices that will assist the vagina in maintaining its pH balance.
According to the article, which was medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. and written by Tiffany La Forge, if a woman intends to have sex, you may want to avoid eating asparagus, a common culprit for temporarily altering “the scent rusted source of your pee”.
Here is a lightly edited version of the article on the eight food choices that can help maintain that pH balance.
“A balanced vaginal pH needs to stay in the range of 3.8 to 4.5. The moment it strays out of balance for too long, bacteria has a chance to thrive and cause discomfort — or UTIs. This doesn’t mean everyone should start home testing their pH every day. (But if you do have symptoms of possible bacterial vaginosis, home testing may help you get diagnosed and treated more quickly.)
But don’t worry, ladies. Your vagina is pretty good at protecting and cleaning itself. Proper vaginal care, such as good hygiene, safe sex, and regular gynecological visits, all play a role in keeping your pH in check.
But the easiest ways to promote health below the belt? Food. Here are eight eats that work in favor of your vagina, walls and all.
1. Cranberries help tackle UTIs
We’ve all heard or heeded the popular advice: Drink cranberry juice to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). But is there any evidence to that?
Fresh cranberries or 100 percent cranberry juice (not the sweetened stuff) are full of antioxidants and acidic compounds, which are powerful infection fighters that can help bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Studies show that cranberries can be especially beneficial in preventing UTIs in women with recurrent or recent UTI issues. Just make sure you stay away from the sugar-loaded cranberry juice varieties, which can actually make things worse down there.
Cranberries for vaginal health
contain powerful acidic compounds to fight bacteria
contain antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C to boost your immunity
Pro-tip: Opt for natural and sugar-free juice varieties or fresh cranberries. Not a fan of their tart taste? Mix into fresh fruit smoothies or try taking pure cranberry pills.
2. Eat more sweet potatoes for fertility
These potatoes have some sweet benefits, particularly for women trying to get pregnant. Rich in beta carotene and vitamin A, sweet potatoes help strengthen and protect uterine walls. Beta carotene and vitamin A have been studied to have direct effects on fertility and reproduction in both men and women, as well as healthy fetal development.
The nutrients found in sweet potatoes also help with the production of sex hormones and are often recommended for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Sweet potatoes for vaginal health
contain high amounts of vitamin A, which is linked to fertility
can help strengthen muscle tissues for healthy vaginal and uterine walls
Pro-tip: Start your morning with one of these delicious and healthy sweet potato toast recipes for energy and an ample dose of vitamin A.
3. Probiotics introduce good bacteria down there, too
Probiotic-rich food, such as fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt, are good for more than just your gut. They balance your pH level and help ward off infections.
The live and active cultures in these foods provide our bodies with a boost of good bacteria, which is particularly helpful in preventing yeast infections. Even better, calcium (greatly present in yogurt) has been shownTrusted Source to help with PMS symptoms.
Probiotics for vaginal health
can balance pH levels and introduce more “good” bacteria
can help ward off infections and prevent yeast infections
contain calcium (in yogurt), which can help ease PMS symptoms
4. Plant fats for better circulation and sex drive
Omega-3 fatty acids help with circulation and blood flow, which is good news for your sex drive. These essential fatty acids, as well as others found in sea buckthorn oil, like palmitoleic, linoleic, oleic, and palmitic, were shown in a 2014 study to help with vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.
Menstrual cramping getting you down? Studies have also shown that fish oil can ease severe dysmenorrhea more effectively than ibuprofen.
Plant fatty acids for vaginal health
treat painful menstrual cramping more effectively than ibuprofen
promote circulation and may relieve vaginal dryness
Pro-tip: Find these essential fatty acids in oily fish (such as salmon), flax seed, eggs, walnuts, and more.
6. An apple for orgasms
An apple a day keeps the doctor away… and keeps things more interesting in bed apparently! A study in 2014 from a trusted source suggested that women who ate an apple once a day had better sex lives. One phytoestrogen phloridzin found in apples is thought to promote better sexual function, arousal, lubrication, and ability to orgasm.
Bonus: Women who consume two or more servings of citrus fruit per day are less likely to develop uterine fibroids.
Apples for vaginal health
contain the phytoestrogen phloridzin and antioxidants, which help stimulate vaginal blood flow
promote better sexual function, lubrication, and ability to orgasm
6. Soy to help decreasing estrogen levels
Soy can be a bit of a controversial topic. But the phytoestrogens — compounds that mimic estrogen in the body — found in soy are good news for vaginal health, especially in people with reduced estrogen levels. There are many different reasons for decreased estrogen levels in the body, from medications to menopause, but one of the symptoms is vaginal dryness.
So here’s how soy helps: Minimally-processed soy products are hydrophilic (which allows your muscles to retain more water) and contain isoflavones (a plant-derived phytoestrogen) that have been studied to be beneficial for the skin in postmenopausal women.
Soy for vaginal health
contains plant-derived phytoestrogen beneficial to women with decreased estrogen levels
can help with vaginal dryness and benefit skin and blood vessel health in postmenopausal women
Pro-tip: Opt for minimally-processed soy products such as edamame, tofu, tempeh, and miso.
7. Avocados for your womanly walls
Your favorite toast topper is also great for your sex life — who knew? Avocados are ample in healthy fats, vitamin B-6, and potassium — all of which have positive effects on your libido. This libido-boosting fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) can enhance lubrication and estrogen levelsTrusted Source, strengthen vaginal walls, and may even increase IVF successTrusted Source due to its unsaturated fats. Funny enough, the avocado tree was actually loosely named the “testicle tree” by the Aztecs.
Avocados for vaginal health
contain libido-boosting healthy fats, vitamin B-6, and potassium
can enhance lubrication and strengthen vaginal walls
Pro-tip: Think beyond guacamole! There are 23 ways to eat an avocado or you can start cooking with avocado oil.
8. Leafy greens help decrease vaginal dryness
What are leafy greens not good for?! Add vaginal health to their long list of health benefits. Dark leafy greens are blood-purifying and enhance circulation due to their many nutrients, including dietary nitrates. This can help prevent vaginal dryness and increase stimulation, which is never a bad thing.
These greens are also rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, all of which are beneficial to muscle health — including vaginal muscles.
Leafy greens for vaginal health
are naturally blood-purifying and enhance circulation
prevent vaginal dryness and increase stimulation
Pro-tip: Think green and include more kale, collard greens, spinach, and chard in your diet.
With these eight bites for your bits, however, it’s easy to put your vagina (and yourself) as a priority.
Better yet, try creating recipes that incorporate several of these foods!
A healthy vegetarian lentil stew, for example, contains half of them: sweet potatoes, leafy greens, probiotic-rich Greek yogurt, and avocado.
As to what not to eat? The general rule of thumb is to skip foods with added sugars and trans fats, as well as any processed foods.
IMAGE (iStock photo)
