What is the pH of vagina in a woman who is in reproductive age group?
Correct Answer: 4.5
Description: Typically, the vaginal pH ranges between 4 and 4.5. It results from Lactobacillus species' production of lactic acid, fatty acids, and other organic acids. Other bacteria can also contribute organic acids from protein catabolism, and anaerobic bacteria contribute by amino acid fermentation. Stimulated by estrogens, the epithelial cells synthesize and accumulate glycogen. When the cells desquamate, bacteria metabolize glycogen to lactic acid, causing a relatively low pH within the vagina which helps provide protection against pathogenic microorganisms. Ref: Hoffman B.L., Schorge J.O., Schaffer J.I., Halvorson L.M., Bradshaw K.D., Cunningham F.G., Calver L.E. (2012). Chapter 3. Gynecologic Infection. In B.L. Hoffman, J.O. Schorge, J.I. Schaffer, L.M. Halvorson, K.D. Bradshaw, F.G. Cunningham, L.E. Calver (Eds), Williams Gynecology, 2e.
Category:
Gynaecology & Obstetrics
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now