9 facts every girl should know about intimate hygiene

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The female genitals are a perfectly balanced system, but we often go overboard in pursuit of cleanliness.

"I'm not my vagina" - these were the words that began the video of American Stevie (she writes a blog about sex education on YouTube), under which the holivar unfolded with 7 thousand comments.

It was in 2014, and two years later, questions about whether you really need to wash yourself with special detergents every day began to appear on the RuNet. In particular, sex education activist Tatyana Nikonova and candidate of medical sciences, obstetrician-gynecologist Tatyana Rumyantseva have responded to them more than once in their blogs.

The dirtiest place in our body is the mouth, but it seems that it is the vagina that women are trying to wash. There is almost never a real reason for feeling not clean enough in this area, but men often insist that women give their vaginas a floral scent.

Let's find out why you need to leave your genitals alone and how to properly care for them to stay healthy.

1. The vagina is a perfectly balanced system

“For millions of years, this part of the body has been creating its highly efficient cleansing process,” British consultant gynecologist Dr. Austin Ugwumadu tells The Daily Mail.

American gynecologist Dr. Alyssa Dweck confirms: “The vagina is an incredible self-cleaning environment. She has her own ways of maintaining an acidic pH to prevent infections."

Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine, advises simply leaving the vagina alone: "Your actions can upset the pH balance or destroy the natural bacterial flora in the vagina that is essential for health."

Let's clarify that the vagina is an acidic environment with a pH level ranging from 3, 8 to 4, 4. Intimate hygiene products are divided into products with high acidity (pH about 3.5) and neutral (pH about 5).

Tatyana Rumyantseva, PhD, wrote: “There is one study showing that acidic pH gel combined with standard treatment for bacterial vaginosis can help reduce relapse. But far-reaching conclusions from the results of one study can never be drawn. Even if we believe this data, such gels are needed only for women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis."

The use of pH neutral intimate hygiene products does not make sense in principle.

About them Rumyantseva says: “They should not bring any harm or benefit to intimate health. There is no evidence to the contrary."

And most likely, such a product costs several times more than a regular shower gel or soap that suits you. Rumyantseva adds that "there are now enough pH-neutral gels for the whole body on the market that can be used to wash whole, not parts."

2. Douching is evil

Women's forums and even gynecologists are advised to periodically douche for prevention, for example, with chlorhexidine. So, stop it.

Douching often does more harm than good. It can kill the “good” bacteria, including lactobacilli, which we need to maintain our pH balance. Some store-bought douching kits contain fragrances or antiseptics that can seriously irritate the mucous membranes.

The vagina cleans itself, no need to rinse it with water, vinegar or other liquids.

Discharge on your laundry is annoying, but it is not a sign of uncleanness or illness. It is a healthy, normal bodily function.

The discharge can be viewed as a vaginal "barometer". If you are confident that you have no medical conditions, and your discharge is no different from your normal discharge, then it is usually a sign of healthy estrogen levels, blood flow, and vaginal pH. This is an indicator that the vagina is healthy and able to cleanse itself of irritating substances.

However, if you notice a significant change in the amount, texture, color, or odor of your discharge, you should see your doctor. This could be a sign of infection.

3. The vulva needs to be washed, but there is a possibility that you are doing it wrong

If the vagina cleans itself, then the vulva - the outer part of the genitals, including the labia - should be washed.

In the folds of the vulva there can be bacteria and smegma - an accumulation of sebum and dead epithelial cells. This needs to be rinsed off, but you are probably overdoing it, while hands and a little soap are enough. Rubbing vigorously with a washcloth is also not necessary. If soap is not available, plain water will do just fine.

Overly scented soaps can cause irritation or an allergic reaction to the vulva.

“We're talking about the most sensitive tissue in the body, so the less perfume and chemicals the better,” says Dr. Minkin.

Experts advise using a mild, fragrance-free soap, plain glycerin or Castile soap (based on olive oil) will also work.

In addition, it is not necessary to wash your vulva with soap every day. "Excessive cleaning can disrupt the protective layer of the skin," says Dr. Dweck. Even if you shower twice a day or feel the need to clean up after sex, try to use soap only once.

And you do not need to then vigorously rub the genital area with a towel - it's too rough for such a delicate tissue. It is enough to gently pat the surface with a clean towel.

4. Be careful with bath bombs

A hot bath with scented candles and your favorite TV show is a great relaxing experience. But if you want to add a colored scented bath bomb, your vagina is unlikely to like it.

Dr. Minkin argues that bath bombs, like bubble baths, can disrupt vaginal pH. As a reminder, this can make you more susceptible to irritation or infections.

This does not mean that you have to throw away all your bath products. Just cut back on their use to one to two times a month. And don't use bombs if you already have itching or irritation. Also watch out for similar unpleasant symptoms after using new products.

5. Each vagina has its own unique smell, and that's okay

Smell is often the cause of concern, but it is not an indicator of impurity. This is just an indication that you have a vagina.

Each woman has her own unique vaginal odor, which can change depending on the menstrual cycle and diet. And this is completely normal.

No need to try to disguise it with special perfumed products, this is very annoying to the vulva.

It is worth remembering your smell and notice when it changes, especially if additional symptoms appear in the form of itching. This is a reason to go to the doctor.

6. Scented pads should be thrown away

Pads and tampons have a harsh composition and should definitely not be near the sensitive tissue of the vulva or vagina.

“Scented tampons can upset the pH balance in the vagina and cause irritation or an allergic reaction, so it is best to opt for fragrance-free options,” says Dr. Dweck.

For the rest, it doesn't matter what type of pads or tampons you use: natural or artificial, with a plastic applicator or cardboard. The main thing is that the hygiene products are non-perfumed.

7. High-quality and comfortable underwear is very important

You probably have super-uncomfortable, unpleasantly tight-fitting underwear that you can't throw away. The time has come: get rid of all the underpants that don't suit you.

Experts recommend cotton underwear or at least cotton gusset options. But you wear thongs or "family members" - it doesn't matter if they are comfortable and allow the skin to breathe.

If the genitals do not have access to air, it increases the risk of a yeast infection. Yeast thrives in warm and humid places, so sitting in airtight underwear all day is not a good idea.

8. Most irritations are caused by everyday cosmetics

“The main cause of vulvar irritation is allergies or sensitivities to the ingredients in the products we use every day. They can cause itching and abnormal discharge,”says Dr. Dweck.

These products can be lotions, soaps, shaving creams, sprays, shower gels, and anything else that comes into contact (directly or indirectly) with your vulva or vagina.

Wet wipes, if used for intimate hygiene, can also cause irritation. “Beware of wet wipes: chemicals in them can cause rashes from the vulva to the anus,” says Dr. Dweck.

For your own safety, buy products that are odorless and with a minimum of ingredients. Leave the trendy lotions for your feet and hands.

9. The vulva should be checked regularly for skin cancer

Just because the genitals are usually not exposed to sunlight does not mean that there cannot be skin cancer or something else.

Therefore, doctors advise checking the vulva and surrounding skin using a mirror. This will help identify changes. Look for new moles, birthmarks, and frequently scratched skin areas.

If you notice anything strange, see a dermatologist.

Output

So, it's worth remembering this:

1. The vagina cleanses itself.
2. Douching does more harm than good.
3. The vulva should be washed no more than once a day with plain water or fragrance-free soap.
4. Do not overuse bath bombs and other products with fragrances and dyes.
5. Discharge is normal. Follow their changes.
6. The natural smell of the vagina is also normal, you do not need to spray it into it. Watch for odor changes.
7. Wear comfortable underwear.
8. Do not use perfumed pads or tampons.
9. Check your vulva and surrounding area periodically for new moles or bleeding areas of skin.