pH
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while a pH below 7 is acidic and a pH above 7 is basic. Pure water has a pH of 7.
A healthy vaginal pH is acidic, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.5 for women of reproductive age. This acidity helps maintain a balance of healthy bacteria and protects against harmful microorganisms. The pH level can be slightly higher after menopause. The acidic environment is crucial for keeping harmful bacteria and yeast in check and preventing infections.
Water-based lubricants are made by putting chemicals and additives in water to make it slippery, slow evaporation, and extend the shelf-life for as long as possible. These ingredients raise the pH. Some brands then add more ingredients to lower the pH.
The most common reactions women have when a substance with a higher pH is introduced to vaginal tissue are burning and itching.
Pleasure Pods contain no water and the ingredients don't interact with water meaning they have no effect whatsoever on your body's natural pH and balance of healthy bacteria, and definitely won't cause burning and itching.
Osmolarity
Vaginal osmolarity refers to the concentration of dissolved particles in vaginal fluid. It is an important factor for vaginal health because solutions with a different osmolality can draw water out of or push it into cells via osmosis, which can damage the vaginal lining and compromise the protective barrier.
For this reason, it is important to use products like lubricants that have an osmolality similar to that of healthy vaginal tissue.
Why it matters
Tissue damage: Using a lubricant with a high osmolality can cause thinning, drying, and abrasions in the vaginal tissue, leading to discomfort and pain.
Reduced barrier function: Damage to the vaginal lining compromises the body's natural defence against infections.
Risk of infection: A compromised vaginal barrier makes it easier for pathogens to enter, increasing the risk of infection, including sexually transmitted infections.
Health of vaginal microbiome: Some studies suggest that personal lubricants that have a high concentration of dissolved particles can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiome, which is crucial for maintaining vaginal health.
Pleasure Pods contain no water and the ingredients don't interact with water meaning they have no effect whatsoever on your body's natural osmolarity, and balance of the vaginal microbiome.