Table of contents:
- Do not use vaginal douches
- Do not use scented soaps, gels, or antiseptics for the vagina
- Wash specifically once a day
- Keep it clean and dry
All women should care about the health of their vagina. A healthy vagina is naturally acidic and rich in beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli) which help prevent infection and maintain its pH level. A healthy vagina will also secrete a small amount of fluid to keep it clean, such as the saliva that is produced to help clean your mouth. The slightest disturbance in the vagina, you may experience irritation or infection.
Cleaning the vagina should not just wash rinse. There are a number of rules that you must understand to keep the vagina not only clean, but also healthy. Anything?
Do not use vaginal douches
Vaginal douches are special vaginal cleansing sprays and fluids that are usually used to clean the inner vagina. The average vaginal douche manufacturer offers cleaning services inside the vagina that can help you maintain its normal pH level. But be careful, don't be fooled by advertisements.
Actually, you don't need to clean the inside of the vagina. The vagina has a "program" of automatic self-cleansing with the help of the lactobacilli that settle in your vagina. Lactobacilli acts as a regulator of vaginal acid balance to prevent pathogens from multiplying.
The fluid that is squirted from the douche into your vagina will flush out the vaginal mucus, causing the ecosystem of good bacteria to be wiped out too. Eventually, your vagina will be taken over by bad bacteria, and it can lead to yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - infections that lead to serious complications, such as sores, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Douche is also not proven to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, douching can increase your risk of infection. When women are deprived of the lactobacilli population, they are more likely to contract the infection when susceptible.
Do not use scented soaps, gels, or antiseptics for the vagina
The inside of the vagina is not cleaned, but you still need to clean the outer areas around the vagina (vulva and labia), as long as you don't use scented soaps or special antiseptics.
A normal vagina has a pH level of around 3.5-4.5 (pH is measured on a scale of zero to 14). If you use scented or antiseptic soaps (have a pH of around eight), this can upset the pH balance of your vagina, and cause itching, irritation, and odor.
It's normal for the vagina to give off an odor. Vaginal odor can change at different times of the reproductive cycle and should not always be considered a sign of infection or certain disease. If your vagina has a strong or strange odor, consult your doctor. Vaginal douches or scented soaps will only cover up the smell without addressing the root cause of the problem.
Wash specifically once a day
Wash your outer vaginal area with a washcloth soaked in water and plain soap, or wipe it with your hands.
Apart from having a bowel movement, it is enough to specifically clean the vagina once a day, for example after exercising, after sex, or while taking a shower. If you don't clean your vagina, you run the risk of letting sweat and vaginal discharge build up.
But remember, vaginal skin is very sensitive. If you are too diligent in cleaning it, you can disturb the balance of your vaginal area. The skin's natural oils will also be eroded, which can cause irritation.
Keep it clean and dry
Your vagina should be kept clean and dry. What you wear will also affect the condition of your vagina.
Certain types of fabrics and forms of clothing can stick tightly to the skin of your genital area, increasing moisture and heat. A disturbed pH balance can make the vagina produce bacteria outside of normal limits and cause infection.
Use cotton underwear, and avoid wearing too tight underwear. Immediately change into a wet swimsuit or sports clothes that are damp with sweat.
