Most women only consider their vagina and vulva when something feels off, but prioritizing vaginal and vulvar health will help avoid infections, soothe irritations and maintain overall good health.
Your health may benefit from eating healthfully, avoiding products with chemical irritants and practicing safe sexuality – these are all ways you can support vaginal health:
Hygiene
Women’s vaginas possess their own natural microflora that helps balance its pH level and protect them against conditions like thrush, itching and discharge.
Changes in external vulva bacterial composition vary with age, hormonal shifts, infections and hygiene practices. Alterations to normal microflora may alter acidic pH levels within vagina and disrupt natural balance between good and bad bacteria which protect against infections.
Maintaining healthy vulvae requires practicing good hygiene, which includes daily washing with warm water and mild soap. Soaps, douches, and other products that interfere with natural pH balance or promote the growth of harmful bacteria should also be avoided. Breathable underwear should also be worn to avoid irritation or discomfort and pads or tampons should be changed frequently during your period. It’s also crucial that disposable menstrual products are disposed of safely to avoid accidental introduction of anal bacteria into the vulva.
Diet
Good hygiene, safe sex practices and regular gynecological visits are essential in protecting against or treating vaginal infections; however, diet may play an integral role as well. Your vagina relies on a delicate balance between “good” bacteria, natural secretions and immune defense mechanisms in order to remain healthy; an excessively sugary diet can harm these beneficial bacteria, creating an imbalance and leading to yeast or bacterial infections. Incorporating too many processed foods and low-fiber carbohydrates may decrease immune function further.
Eating a variety of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables may help maintain optimal pH balance and avoid BV infections. Yogurt and fermented foods containing probiotics – such as pickles, miso and sauerkraut – contain beneficial bacteria which fight off infections like BV.
Consuming enough water may also help prevent or treat BV. Cranberry juice contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Minimally processed soy foods like edamame and tofu contain isoflavones – plant-derived compounds that act like estrogen that may alleviate vaginal dryness caused by decreasing levels of this hormone during menopause and perimenopause.
Safer Sex Practices
Women should use protection (such as a condom) whenever engaging in sexual activity of any sort – vaginal, oral or anal sex included). They should avoid sharing sex toys to limit STI transmission. Furthermore, too much alcohol and smoking may lower sexual arousal so it is wise to limit both activities.
Some women use baby wipes, douches or harsh soaps to cleanse their vulvae, which may disturb the natural balance of bacteria and lead to infections. Instead, we advise washing only the exterior of your underwear using soap substitute and water or using only an alternative approach like cloth diapering or sponge swabs.
Douching or “cleansing” the vulva after sexual encounter is unnecessary and may actually increase your risk of infection by disturbing the natural protective flora that normally protects this area. Furthermore, it should also not be performed if experiencing painful sex as doing so can increase endometriosis risk; which occurs when tissue that looks similar to that found within your uterus grows outside its borders and can result in painful cysts that affect sexual performance during sex as well as cysts developing on ovarys resulting in painful sessions during sexual encounters.
Regular Gynecological Checkups
Women should visit a gynecologist regularly for screening, diagnostic and treatment procedures that improve their sexual health. At Henderson Women’s Care, qualified gynecologists prioritize their patients’ wellbeing by conducting comprehensive consultations within an atmosphere conducive to comfort and well-being.
At this step, healthcare practitioners listen to a patient’s concerns and decide the necessary steps. For instance, if they suspect sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tests will be provided accordingly. As such, this will enable them to receive appropriate medical treatment before symptoms aggravate and threaten their overall health and wellbeing. Furthermore, they may arrange for regular screening procedures, such as the Pap smear test. Gynecologists will perform a pelvic exam, where gloved and lubricated fingers are inserted into the vagina in order to detect physical anomalies. Furthermore, they conduct breast exams as well as investigate any abnormal lumps or growths on patients’ bodies.
