A 42-year-old woman visits her physician complaining of recurrent vaginal yeast infections. The doctor explains the likelihood that the woman's vaginal lining is temporarily out of proper acid-base balance, leading to the increased susceptibility to yeast infections. The normally low $\mathrm{pH}$ in the vagina is maintained by which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The low pH in the vagina is primarily maintained by the bacterial metabolism of glycogen, particularly by Lactobacillus species, which convert glycogen into lactic acid, thus maintaining an acidic environment.

A 42-Year-Old Woman Visits Her Physician Complaining of Recurrent Vaginal pH\mathrm{pH}pH

A 42-Year-Old Woman Visits Her Physician Complaining of Recurrent Vaginal $\mathrm{pH}$