A method for identifying physiological conditions associated with a biological fluid secreted from a person, by providing a secretion-monitoring article of a body that includes an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system having a hydrophobic chemical composition that includes an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent of a quaternary amine; wearing the article in a position to receive the biological fluid secreted from the person; and visualizing the indicator system for an indication of physiological conditions associated with the biological fluid, which indication is typically a measurement of the pH or buffer capacities of the fluid and is stable for at least 48 hours.