It’s perfectly natural and no cause for concern to notice certain changes in your clothing. Have you ever pondered why your undergarments occasionally show lightened patches? This topic has intrigued many women, sparking lively conversations across online platforms.
Interestingly, these marks are not linked to your laundry routine. They stem from the vagina’s natural pH balance.
These lightened patches are a sign of a well-functioning vagina. The pH scale gauges a substance’s acidity or alkalinity, and as one insightful post on X highlights:
“Many now understand that it’s entirely normal to see lighter areas in women’s undergarments due to the vagina’s acidic environment, with a pH range of 3.8–4.5. It’s time to dispel the myth that these patches signal poor hygiene. On the contrary, a vagina capable of lightening fabric is a healthy one.”
Dr. Vanessa MacKay from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists explains: “The vagina maintains itself through natural secretions, hosting beneficial bacteria that help safeguard its environment.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, a typical vaginal pH falls between 3.8 and 5.0, indicating a moderately acidic state compared to a neutral pH of 7.
Dr. MacKay further emphasizes that clear or white vaginal discharge is a normal and healthy occurrence, and altering this natural balance may increase the risk of infections.
