How to clean the vagina after sex

How to clean the vagina properly?

Using lubricants, sex toys, or anything else that gets into your vagina (including your penis) can increase your risk of getting a yeast or other harmful bacteria. The following is a recommended way to clean the vagina according to Dr. Sherry Ross, as quoted from WomensHealth:

1. Use warm water

You can clean the outer area of the vagina using warm water, and a soft towel to dry it. Dr. Ross also allows women to use feminine cleansers as long as they don't contain fragrances.

You can use a feminine antiseptic containing Povidone-iodine which can prevent the development of bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause vaginal infections.

2. The inside of the vaginal opening does not need to be cleaned, just the outside

When the vagina is cleaned, you don't need douching, inserting fingers, water, soap or other objects to clean it. Just clean it on the labia or outside of the vagina.

Basically, the inner vagina can clean their own organs. The vagina has the ability to clean its own organs, to maintain the balance of good bacteria in the vagina.

3. Clean the inside of the vagina by urinating after sex

The need to urinate after sex is always emphasized, especially for women. This is because the anatomy of the female body is different from that of men.

In women, the location of the vagina and anus with the urethra is very close together. The distance is only about 5 centimeters. Thus, bacteria and germs spread faster and move from one part of the body to another. And this is one of the simple but mandatory efforts to maintain vaginal hygiene

4. Eat probiotic foods

You can also maintain vaginal health and cleanliness by regularly eating foods that contain probiotics such as tempeh, yogurt, kimchi, and other fermented foods. These foods you need to be good for women to consume, to help clean the vagina from the inside.

Why is that??

In accordance with its function, probiotics are needed to replace and increase the number of good bacteria in the body. According to Kelly Kasper, an obstetrician at Indiana University Health, the good bacteria found in fermented foods are the same as the good bacteria found in the area around the vagina. By consuming probiotics found in fermented foods, you will help prevent bacterial infections and keep your vagina healthy from within as well.