The microorganisms that inhabit the vagina are known as the vaginal flora or microbiome. Maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome is essential because it can help prevent infection, support fertility, and improve a woman’s quality of life. Unfortunately, not all products and behaviours promoted as “feminine hygiene” benefit the vaginal flora. This article will discuss 12 feminine hygiene tips they don’t tell you.
Vaginal Health Facts
First, understanding facts about vaginal health helps you understand the importance of feminine hygiene;
I. The vagina is self-cleaning:
Many women believe cleaning their vaginas with soaps, sprays, wipes, deodorants, or douches is necessary, but this is not true. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, and using such products can interfere with its natural process and cause irritation. Some of these practices have even been linked to adverse vaginal health outcomes. In particular, frequent and long-term douching has been associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis (BV), reduced fertility, ectopic pregnancy, and pre-term birth. Instead of douching or using other products on the vagina, most health experts recommend using warm water to wash the area. You can also use a pH-balanced feminine wash that is gynecological approved.
II. Not all vaginal discharge is cause for alarm:
Vaginal white or clear discharge with a faint or nonexistent odour is normal. This discharge keeps the vagina lubricated and protects against infection and irritation. However, changes in the smell or appearance of vaginal discharge, or when it is accompanied by itching or other symptoms, may indicate infection, inflammation, or another vaginal health issue.
III. Overall health impacts vaginal health:
Some behaviours and medical conditions have been linked to an increased risk of vaginal health problems. For example, smoking cigarettes has been associated with an increased prevalence of BV and is considered a risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Obesity has also been linked to BV, and poorly controlled diabetes may increase a woman’s risk of yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, women are encouraged to eat a varied and nutritious diet, maintain healthy body weight, and refrain from smoking to support their overall and vaginal health.
IV. Not all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have symptoms:
While many STIs have symptoms such as pain during sex or urination, abnormal vaginal discharge or odour, and genital sores or warts, not all do. For example, high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) often have no symptoms, and many people with HPV may never even know they have it. Although HPV usually clears up, long-lasting cases can lead to cervical cancer. As such, practising safe sex, completing STI testing if and when necessary, and following recommended cancer screening guidelines are imperative for good vaginal health.
Signs of Poor Feminine Hygiene
Poor feminine hygiene is an invitation to vaginal infection. Inadequate upkeep of feminine hygiene can cause problems like fungal infections, reproductive complications, and urinary tract infections. These health issues can impact your physical well-being and your emotional and mental health. Menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, odour, and itching around the vagina can improve our understanding of our health.
These signs can tell us that we must step up our intimate hygiene to avoid medical problems.
Vaginal Odour
We know the vagina is self-cleaning, but poor hygiene practices can cause odour. Vaginal odour is the first sign that you’re not paying proper attention to hygiene. It typically occurs due to inflammation of the vaginal area. Inflammation of the vagina can eventually lead to infection. To resolve the issue, practice good hygiene and clean the area with warm water daily.
Skin irritation
A lack of personal hygiene can be detected if you’re experiencing skin irritation, such as itching. Irritation on the skin doesn’t just cause discomfort; it also points to a possible infection. For example, it can result in dermatitis, a medical condition characterized by swelling, rashes, and itching. Other reasons for skin irritation include thrush, bacterial vaginosis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Not peeing after sex
Not peeing after sex is the most severe mistake you can make. It is a sign that you’re not aware of good hygiene practices. If you don’t urinate post-sex, bacteria around your vagina can multiply and result in infection. Urinating after sexual activity aids in eliminating bacteria from your system.
Vulvovaginitis
Poor hygiene practices cause vulvovaginitis. It is a prevalent condition that can impact females of all ages. It primarily occurs due to the transfer of faecal bacteria to the vagina. Its symptoms may also include unusual vaginal discharge, itching, and irritation.
12 Feminine Hygiene Tips You Need to Know
Intimate hygiene is so much more than just showering regularly (which is a must!).
Try these feminine hygiene tips for a fresh, clean, and (most importantly) healthy vagina. (per Tampax)
1. Wash your vagina daily
Keeping yourself clean is one of the essential feminine hygiene tips there. Especially as you move through puberty, the changes in your body make good personal hygiene all the more critical. Things like getting your period, daily vaginal discharge, and increased sweat from your sweat glands make keeping clean increasingly crucial for teenage girls. Daily washing of your intimate area is just the first step.
2. Wash Vulva only
The inside of your vagina has a self-cleaning mechanism. It doesn’t need to be washed, scrubbed, or cleaned—it means no douching. Instead, stick to washing just the outside of your vagina, called the Vulva. The Vulva includes the inner and outer vaginal lips and the clitoris.
3. Use pH-balanced feminine wash
Regular soaps and shower gels aren’t designed to be used on your vaginal area because they have a pH level intended for the surface of your skin. Your skin has a pH of 5.5, whereas a healthy vaginal pH level ranges from 3.8 to 4.5. Regular soap can alter the pH of your vagina and upset its delicate bacterial balance, which keeps it healthy and free of infection. Instead, try using a special wash in your intimate area. You can find feminine hygiene washes that are pH-balanced for your vagina in the feminine care section of the supermarket or pharmacy. Don’t hesitate to ask your GP or gynaecologist for advice.
4. Avoid using sponges to wash your intimate area
Female hygiene requires no special equipment – just some feminine wash and water. However, the skin of your intimate area is susceptible and can be irritated by abrasive materials like gloves, sponges, and loofahs. Plus, bacteria build up and grow on sponges and gloves; you don’t want to introduce them into your vagina. Your hands are enough to achieve good personal hygiene.
5. Use a soft towel to dry the area
Use a soft and completely dry towel after a shower or bath. A crucial piece of hygiene advice for girls is to replace their towels every two to three days and refrain from sharing them with others.
6. Don’t point water directly at your vagina
This feminine care tip prevents outside bacteria from entering your vagina. Don’t aim the stream of water directly into your vagina when washing your intimate area. Instead, let the water run down from the top of your pubic area over your vagina.
7. Wipe front to back
You may have heard this personal hygiene tip before, but it’s worth a reminder. When you go to the toilet, wipe from front to back—and never back to front! Wiping from front to back ensures that no harmful bacteria from your anus enter your vagina. If they do, these bacteria can create an uncomfortable (and smelly!) infection – like a urinary tract infection – that would require antibiotics to clear it up.
8. Wear cotton underwear
Wearing cotton underwear is essential for good personal hygiene. Cotton is a very breathable fabric, allowing any excess moisture from sweat or discharge to evaporate instead of becoming a breeding ground for bacteria (and unpleasant odours!). It doesn’t mean that the pair of knickers must be made entirely of cotton, just the crotch insert.
9. Wear a pantyliner
Wear a pantyliner daily to help absorb the vaginal discharge. Discharge is healthy—your body is cleansing your vagina of toxins and keeping it clean and moisturized. But this doesn’t mean you must be uncomfortable in a wet pair of knickers. Wearing a pantyliner every day is a great feminine hygiene tip. Panty liners work like pads, but they’re much thinner and can be used daily to absorb discharge and keep you feeling clean and dry.
10. Drink up
The well-known phrase “you are what you eat” is something we’ve all come across. In your vagina’s case, “you are what you drink.” Sugary drinks can affect the bacterial balance of your vagina and dehydrate you. Ensure you drink enough water to enhance your body’s ability to flush out toxins and maintain a clean and healthy vagina.
Incorporate these personal hygiene tips into your life to keep your vagina clean and healthy and to keep you smiling and confident.
11. Take extra care during menstruation
Maintain cleanliness in your genital area. For example, opt for pads instead of tampons if you have a history of yeast infections. If you use tampons, change them regularly, and avoid using scented pads or tampons.
12. Practice safe sex
If you are not in a dedicated relationship, use condoms consistently. Krikorian advises, “If you have a yeast infection, it’s best to refrain from intercourse until your symptoms subside.” “Sexual intercourse can exacerbate symptoms such as itching, soreness, and dryness.”
Conclusion
Practising healthy habits such as getting sufficient sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and maintaining proper feminine hygiene can lower the likelihood of developing a yeast infection. If you encounter recurrent vaginal infections, consult your doctor to explore other potential causes.
Ladies, take care of your vagina to avoid inviting vaginal infections.