Vaginal infections are a frequent concern and can have serious repercussions in a woman’s daily life. Nurses provide vital guidance to women about what’s normal, when to be concerned and how to prevent infections.
Researchers are exploring the ecosystem of microbes living in vagina. They have discovered that communities dominated by Lactobacillus species help maintain pH levels between 3.8 and 4.5 and produce bacteriocins to prevent disruptive pathogens from proliferating.
Diet
Though many women focus on hormone balance and exercise as essential elements of vaginal health, their diet also plays a crucial role. Recent studies suggest that eating foods rich in probiotics and leafy greens could help enhance natural bacterial balance in intimate areas and help prevent infections like bacterial vaginosis from returning.
A diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and fresh fruits is an ideal place to begin improving vaginal health. Foods rich in folate, vitamin A, calcium and iron may also aid vaginal health; on the other hand, an excessively sweet diet can disrupt bacteria in both the gut and vagina, potentially leading to infections; try cutting back on sugar consumption while increasing nutrient-rich foods like oranges, bell peppers, lemons and plums for maximum vaginal care.
Exercise
Exercise is an integral component of healthy living and its many advantages include maintaining a healthy weight, improving mood and increasing energy, as well as decreasing risks for heart attack, diabetes and certain cancers. Unfortunately, however, women often experience sports vagina, an adverse side effect when their vulva and vaginal region produce sweat during exercise.
However, there are ways you can minimize this discomfort. Wearing cotton underwear, selecting workout apparel made from natural materials that repel moisture, and applying an A+D ointment before your workout are all ways you can minimize itchiness and irritation during physical exercise.
Kegel exercises can also strengthen pelvic floor muscles, helping prevent future issues like urinary incontinence or prolapse during menopause. Gynecological check-ups provide healthcare professionals the chance to examine vaginal area and provide treatment as necessary; regular examinations may detect abnormal discharge, signs of infection such as itching which could indicate yeast overgrowth, etc.
Cleansing
Implementing healthy habits and seeking guidance from trusted ob-gyn specialists are essential in maintaining vaginal health. Prioritizing health can help avoid infection or discomfort while giving women confidence in making the appropriate decisions for themselves and their bodies.
Wash the external genital area daily using mild, unscented soap or clean water. Do not wash inside of the vagina as this may disrupt its delicate balance of bacteria and cause irritation or itching. Instead, use a soft washcloth to carefully clean labia minora and clitoral hood; gently sweep away white “smegma,” which is comprised of dead cells and oil deposits from these areas.
Put on breathable cotton underwear, and change after sweating to prevent trapped moisture and promote airflow. Douching can remove healthy bacteria that provide support, leading to an imbalance that could wreak havoc with your vulva and lead to an unpleasant experience for yourself and those around you.
Supplements
As well as eating healthily, there are some supplements which may also aid in vaginal health promotion.
Probiotics are an excellent place to begin; studies have demonstrated their ability to restore balance among vaginal bacteria, helping prevent infections while keeping a healthy pH balance in place.
Oral probiotics don’t always make their way through stomach acids and bile salts to reach the vagina, so research continues into developing an oral pill capable of safely passing through digestion to reach vagina.
Vitamin E supplements may offer numerous advantages, particularly when taken in suppository form. This fat-soluble vitamin promotes tissue health and inflammation reduction as an antioxidant; studies have revealed its effectiveness at improving symptoms of vaginal dryness among postmenopausal women; however, such treatments should only be undertaken under medical guidance.
