Should I use feminine soap to clean the vagina?

Do you need to use feminine soap?

Feminine soap is claimed to clean and scent the vagina, and remove vaginal discharge.

But launching from the Mayo Clinic page, feminine soap is not needed to clean the vagina. Why?

The vagina is actually able to routinely clean and protect itself without the need for help. In fact, vaginal discharge is actually a sign that your vaginal cleansing function is running normally. Leucorrhoea is a natural and normal phase experienced by every woman.

The environment in the vagina is naturally acidic which is ideal for maintaining colonies of good bacteria. The presence of these good bacteria is what protects against the risk of infection.

In fact, when you use feminine soap which in fact contains a lot of chemicals, the pH balance in the vagina will be disturbed. This allows bad bacteria and yeast (fungus) to overgrow, causing infection.

You should also avoid doing douching . Douching is a technique of cleaning the inside of the vagina by spraying a water solution with vinegar, baking soda, or iodine.

Douching is strongly discouraged because it can disrupt the normal vaginal balance. This makes vagina susceptible to infections including venereal disease.

The result of using feminine soap

Disrupted vaginal pH balance due to use of feminine soap can cause:

1. Vaginal infection

The vagina has good bacteria that function to protect the body from infection. Fragrant or colored feminine soap products can change the acidity of the vagina so that the good bacteria levels are reduced.

When the pH is disturbed, you will be susceptible to bacterial infections (bacterial vaginosis) and vaginal yeast infections.

Bacterial and fungal infections can make the vagina feel itchy, produce abnormal vaginal discharge, and even feel hot like burning.

If left untreated, the infection in the vagina can spread and enter other reproductive organs. The spread of infection risks making it difficult for women to get pregnant and susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases.

2. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and / or ovaries.

The facts mention that women who use vaginal cleansers or do douching 73% higher risk of developing this disease.

The appearance of pelvic inflammatory disease is quite difficult to recognize. The reason is, this disease often causes no symptoms at the beginning of being infected.

When it starts to spread, pelvic inflammation usually causes:

Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Bleeding after sex or between menstrual cycles
Pain during intercourse
Fever is sometimes accompanied by chills
Pain when urinating

The risk of this disease can be greatly reduced, one of which is by not using feminine soap.

3. Increase the risk of pregnancy complications

Women who use feminine soap more than once a week are reported to be more likely to have difficulty getting pregnant compared to those who do not.

Using vaginal cleansers is also suspected of increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy by 76 percent. An ectopic pregnancy causes the embryo to attach to organs outside the uterus.

The more often you clean the vagina, the greater the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy.

4. Vaginal dryness

A dry vagina isn't always a sign of danger, but it can be uncomfortable. In addition, vaginal dryness due to chemicals in feminine soap can also make sex painful.

5. Risk of venereal disease

Many say that using feminine soap before and after sex can prevent the transmission of venereal diseases. However, do not easily believe the news that is circulating.

Using feminine soap can destroy the balance of good bacteria that protect the vagina from infection. That's why vaginal cleansing soap can actually increase your risk of contracting venereal diseases from unsafe sexual activity.

However, it is still important to clean the vagina with warm water after sex so that bacteria can be lost. Clean the vagina only with clean running water. Wipe from front to back, not the other way around. This is done to prevent bacteria in the anus from moving into and infecting the vagina.

In addition, don't forget to wash your hands before and after cleaning your vagina.

How to clean the vagina without feminine soap?

According to Dr. Suzy Elneil, consultant urogynaecology at University College Hospital, London, the way is enough to maintain health and personal hygiene.

Simply rinse your vagina under clean, warm running water, wiping it from front to back. Rinse and dry well so that the vagina does not continue to be moist. In addition, routinely change your underwear a few times with cotton.

Feminine soap products are not needed to clean the vagina. If you want to use soap, dr, Sangeeta Agnihotri, as a consultant for gynecology and obstetrics in the UK, recommends using soap with the following conditions:

No perfume
No dye
No preservatives
Without chemicals that are too harsh

If you are confused about choosing the right soap, ask your doctor for recommendations. Don't be tempted by cheap prices and the lure of tempting advertisements.

Getting used to a healthy diet and diligent exercise also helps keep the vagina healthy.