Adopting proper feminine hygiene practices can help keep you healthy. The main items necessary are pads, panty liners, tampons and wipes.
When selecting feminine washes, try to limit the use of fragrances, perfumes, and sulfates as these may irritate vulvovarian skin while disrupting its normal microbiota that helps combat infections.
1. Wash Your Vulva Daily
Daily cleansing should include using a gentle soap designed for cleansing the vulva. These feminine washes can be found in grocery stores and pharmacies with women’s care sections; since vulvova have pH levels between 4.2-5.6 which differs slightly from that of skin, using regular soap may disrupt that balance and lead to irritation and infections.
Intimate wipes and sprays provide quick solutions for quick cleansing after high-friction activities such as sex or sweating, yet OB/GYNS caution that excessive use may disrupt vaginal microbiome balance. They should also be free from hormone disrupting chemicals like phthalates, while still offering moisturizing ingredients.
Douching — or flushing the vulva with water or various solutions such as homemade or store-bought cleansers — is harmful and may lead to bacterial vaginosis, according to a 2018 study in Sexually Transmitted Infections journal. Furthermore, douching increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
2. Change Your Pad or Tampon Regularly
Pads and tampons are among the most frequently used period products for women. Both feature absorbent fibers attached to an adhesive surface to collect menstrual blood. Experts advise changing pads every four to six hours throughout your period regardless of its severity. You could also try more environmentally-friendly menstrual products like menstrual cups or reusable pads which don’t need replacing as often.
Accessing safe, affordable sanitary supplies and period education helps prevent infections that could otherwise lead to other health issues. Following good hygiene practices during periods can help avoid symptoms like mood swings, cramps and vaginal odor. Speak to your physician if any menstrual symptoms seem unusual or persist beyond a couple of cycles; also schedule an annual wellness exam including pap smear and pelvic exam for optimal protection against cervical cancer and reproductive tract issues.
3. Avoid Tight Clothes
The vulva contains millions of protective “good” bacteria that help guard against infection; however, like any microbiome it requires care and attention in order to function optimally. Therefore it’s crucial that women practice regular hygiene regimens.
Tight clothing traps heat and moisture near intimate areas, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that causes yeast infections. In addition, tight underwear worn over extended periods may cause skin irritation; for maximum comfort when wearing tight pants or skirts consider going down one size.
Navigating the feminine hygiene aisle at your local drugstore can be daunting. Women may be tempted to purchase more cleansing products than necessary; however, all they really require is warm water for effective washing of sensitive vaginal areas and soap-free cleansers for sensitive vaginal regions. Also avoid any products with added fragrance as these could irritate sensitive vulva membranes.
4. Wash Your Vulva After Intercourse
Maintaining a clean vagina is key for avoiding inflammation, bad-smelling discharge and gynecological disease. Rinse it regularly with warm water or mild soap (unscented!), and avoid douching as this may disrupt its natural pH balance and compromise your microbiome – both are crucial components to healthful living in your vagina.
Doing this can also prevent period blood from drying on the skin and leading to itching, irritation or infection. Wipe the area while showering using a washcloth from front-to-back in order to limit bacteria build-up.
Be sure to change your pad or tampon regularly and wear cotton underwear that allows airflow for proper cooling of your bits all day. Also practice safe sex by washing before and after each encounter to preserve a healthy microbiome; condom use can be an easy way to lower your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
