Have you ever wondered how to keep it clean down there? With the rise of social media and increased educational efforts on women’s health, awareness of intimate hygiene has increased significantly. As a result, the feminine hygiene products industry has become a multi-billion dollar market that continues to expand every year.
Drugstore aisles are filled with various products to help you feel fresh and clean. From vulvar perfumes and scented cleansing cloths to feminine vaginal douches, what to buy to keep you fresh and feeling your best every day can be confusing. It turns out there are simple changes we can make to our hygiene routine to keep our vaginas healthy so we can feel clean and confident no matter what the day brings.
Read on as we share real information on how to stay clean there, including a supplement to add to your diet to help promote healthy vaginal odor.
Avoid the feminine shower: here’s why it’s not worth it
If you’re not familiar with the word shower, it’s a French word that means “to wash” or “to soak.” Douching means cleaning or rinsing the vagina with a liquid solution combined with other substances. These mixtures include homemade herbal concoctions, antiseptics, vinegar mixtures, or store-bought preparations. While douching has been around for thousands of years, it has become more popular due to advertisements from companies selling douching products.
Douching is a two-step process. The first step is to put the mixture in a bottle or bag. It is then inserted into the vagina by spraying or squirting it with a bottle that is washed away by cleaning the vagina.
Women around the world shower for many reasons, but their goal is to achieve a certain level of cleanliness and be odor-free. They believe it will help treat or prevent vaginal odors associated with sex and menstruation. Other reasons women douche include preventing pregnancy, eliminating itching, reducing vaginal odors, and feeling clean and fresh.
The reason for this is that a healthy vagina consists of a balance of good and bad bacteria to maintain the natural acidic environment and the use of douching products can change this balance of flora. Disturbing this delicate balance of flora can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Not only can this lead to yeast infections and alter the pH of a healthy vagina, but studies have found that women who douche tend to have more incidents of yeast infections. bacterial vaginosis.
Bottom line? He American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Douching is not recommended.
Healthy habits for vaginal hygiene
If douching is not recommended, what can we do to stay fresh and clean while ensuring a healthy vagina? Read on for tips you can start implementing today.
Skip the soap
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your vagina cleans itself. Do you want proof? Look at the normal, odorless discharge in her underwear. Your vagina cleans itself daily by removing dead cells from its lining, producing a clear, white, odorless discharge.
Additionally, the lining is also made up of lactobacilli that keep the lining of the vagina slightly acidic to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and microbes. Yeast may also be present, but the natural acidity keeps it in check and prevents excessive growth.
As a result, Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a board-certified OB/GYN from Rosy says, “You don’t need to clean the vagina.” In fact, an excessive emphasis on hygiene can alter the natural pH balance, increasing the chances of vaginal infections and discomfort.
Say no to fragrances
While it is not recommended to use soap to clean the vagina, it is recommended to clean the vulva daily with water and a mild soap with an appropriate pH. “The vulva is the female genitalia that can be seen on the outside, including the labia, clitoris, and perineum,” says Dr. Harper. Because the vulva may be vulnerable to contact dermatitis, choose an irritant-free, hypoallergenic soap with a pH ranging between 4.2 and 5.6.
Despite the abundance of specialized feminine hygiene products, finding the ideal soap doesn’t have to be expensive or require hours of research. It can be as simple as purchasing a colorless, fragrance-free Dove Sensitive Skin Bar or Ivory Gentle at your local supermarket, as recommended by Dr. Harper.
Choose cotton instead of synthetics
Do you remember that discharge from your vagina that cleans itself? You will want to wear underwear of appropriate fabric to wick away moisture and not cause yeast infections or breed bacteria. And the best fabric for that is cotton. Cotton is not only breathable and natural, but it is also soft and comfortable for the sensitive skin around the pubic areas.
Other materials, such as synthetics or nylon, can irritate the skin and trap moisture, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth that causes infections. Additionally, it is best to avoid wearing tight pants or underwear that can cause heat, friction and irritation, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish.
As for the underwear style? That depends on you and what you find most comfortable, including thongs. Underwear styles did not affect pH, skin microclimate or microflora. as we once believed. TO study carried out in 2018 analyzed the connection between thong wearing and the prevalence of urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections. In the end, they concluded that wearing thongs did not influence these infections or increase a woman’s susceptibility to them.
So wear whatever is most comfortable and appropriate for you!
The best probiotic for vaginal health
A healthy vagina depends on the balance of thousands of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. Our understanding of the microbiome is continually expanding as we learn more about how the microbiome plays a role in maintaining a healthy vagina. Disrupting this delicate balance can make one more prone to infections.
Research suggests that there is a strain of probiotic called lactobacillus acidophilus which is more common in the healthy women’s vaginas. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microorganisms. By encouraging healthy bacteria to multiply, probiotics can prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria or fungi, reducing your chances of getting vaginal infections.
Probiotic supplements like Private Party contain a combination of three strains of bacteria from the Lactobacillus family. Studies have shown that the bacteria in the supplement can adhere to the cells of the vaginal lining promoting a healthy pH. In addition to containing probiotics, Private Party also contains proanthocyanidins, the main ingredient in blueberries that promotes urinary tract health. This combination of Lactobacillus bacteria with proanthocyanidins creates a potent blend that is ideal for overall vaginal health and maintaining a healthy pH balance.
When to consult your healthcare professional
Following these hygiene habits is a great start, but there will be times when you need to seek professional help. Suppose you experience persistent symptoms such as unusual yellow or green discharge, strong or foul-smelling odor, or itching in the pelvic region, in that case, Dr. Harper suggests consulting your healthcare professional. These signs indicate a possible underlying infection that requires professional evaluation and treatment.
It’s also a good idea to see a doctor or healthcare provider if you have sexual health concerns. Experiencing discomfort during sexual intercourse or having symptoms of sexually transmitted infections warrants a visit to your doctor. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to the transmission of infections to your partners.
Food to go
Vaginal hygiene is not complicated and does not require a shelf full of products. Choosing cotton underwear of your choice, using unscented soap, adding a probiotic supplement, and knowing when to seek out a healthcare professional can go a long way toward promoting a healthy vagina. Use these tips today to feel confident about cleaning your intimate areas!
