More than half of sexually-active women will experience chronic vaginal discharge and dripping,, vaginal odor, and vaginal infections. Few women will discuss this with their partner, let alone with their gynecologist. Why do women experience these symptoms? It is largely due to disruptions in the vaginal microbiome (the bacterial makeup of the vagina) from the presence of semen in the vaginal canal. Most of us have heard of the commercials discussing vaginal “pH.” This has to do with the amount of acid in the vagina—and most vaginas should be acidic, or have a low pH, of around 4.
