Healthy vaginas can often go overlooked. But it’s essential that we learn about and care for our vaginas – from diet and exercise, to clean sex and probiotics with lactobacillus crispatus bacteria to help combat infection and avoid thrush.
Avoid products such as soaps and shampoos that could irritate the vulva, such as soaps and shampoos. Furthermore, douching — cleaning your vulva with fingers — is a poor practice that could cause irritation to occur.
Broccoli
Diet plays an integral part in your overall body health, including vaginal health. A diet rich in vegetables, leafy greens, squashes and berries will keep your body happy and healthy – including including cruciferous veggies like broccoli as they contain an array of essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, folate, vitamins A, C K and potassium as well as cancer fighting compounds that may offer protection.
Broccoli boasts potency in terms of antibacterial properties that may help lower foodborne infections like E coli and listeria monocytogenes, while it’s rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants such as kaempferol and quercetin that have numerous health benefits including heart disease prevention, cancer fightback, inflammation relief and allergies relief – plus asthma prevention!
Sulforaphane has been extensively researched as an anticancer agent. Additionally, this compound may help activate detoxification pathways and reduce oxidative stress while restoring hormone balance and improving overall wellness.
Citrus Fruits
Oranges and lemons can be extremely beneficial to vaginal health if you experience frequent infections or excess discharge. According to Health Shots, citrus fruits contain high levels of vitamin C that helps lower risk for bacterial vaginosis while being an excellent source of potassium and low in sodium – two vital nutrients needed by our bodies’ electrolyte balance systems.
Hesperidin and other flavonoids found in food can scavenge free radicals to lower your risk of vaginal infections and block inflammatory enzymes like cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase from activating, aiding in their control.
Cranberries, apples, and dark leafy greens are great foods for vaginal health, thanks to being packed full of probiotics like Lactobacillus that helps balance pH levels in your body according to a study published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. You can also get probiotics from Greek yogurt and fermented vegetables such as kimchi sauerkraut and kombucha; try to stay away from sugar processed foods and dairy as these could contribute to an unhealthy vaginal environment
Menstruation Underwear
No matter whether you use pads, menstrual cups, or period underwear – it’s essential to switch out regularly as moisture-trapping materials create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that could lead to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis outbreaks. Washing your genital area daily and using a clean towel may help ward off an outbreak.
Many women are opting for reusable menstrual underwear as an eco-friendly, cost effective and comfortable solution for their menstrual cycle needs. Reusable products provide women with a sense of empowerment over the stigma typically associated with periods.
Humanitarian staff and refugee community participants shared information regarding their beliefs, behaviors and practices related to MHM during four FGDs and five semi-structured interviews. A variety of themes emerged during these interactions such as:
Take Charge of Your Sexual Health
The vagina is a closed muscular canal connecting the exterior of genitals (called the vulva) to the neck of the uterus (cervix). When in good health, this canal provides pleasure during sex or orgasm sessions while aiding pregnancy. Unfortunately, issues related to the vulva can impair sexual satisfaction and lead to stress or relationship difficulties.
Staying on top of your vaginal health starts with regular checkups. A bimanual exam — in which your provider inserts their gloved finger inside the vagina — and rectovaginal exam — where they place their finger into your cervix — are two effective tests that can identify infections or other conditions quickly and early.
Other practices to support a balanced vagina include using fragrance-free cleansers, washing the external area with lukewarm water, changing underwear daily to promptly remove wet ones, wearing loose fitting, breathable clothes and eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and probiotics which helps boost good bacteria in the vulva and remaining hydrated for natural lubrication.
