Practice good intimate hygiene to preserve both health and comfort of the vulva. Routine cleaning helps decrease any potential for bacteria or fungal overgrowth in this sensitive area of the body.
Feminine wash products containing lactic acid and natural extracts like ashwagandha can soothe and calm skin without overstimulation, while heavily perfumed products may disrupt vaginal microbiomes and cause irritation.
Vaginal Care
Women+ utilize various products to maintain a healthy vagina and vulva (vul-var), including sanitary pads, liners, tampons, douches, creams, shampoos, soaps and vaginal washes. Intimate wash products have been specially designed to clean without disturbing pH balance or irritating skin or mucous membranes – ideal for healthy vaginal hygiene!
The vulva is comprised of the pubic mound, clitoris and labia as well as an urethra which connects to bladder, uterus and cervix and produces an expulsion that rids dead cells and bacteria from its vicinity.
Douching involves flushing the vagina with water or various solutions and washes, usually homemade or store-bought soaps. One study concluded that this method irritated the vulva and increased bacterial growth, increasing risk for vulvovaginal infections while simultaneously suppressing beneficial bacteria growth essential for healthy vagina. Douching may also stifle beneficial flora necessary for maintaining health vagina.
Liners
Liners can absorb everyday vaginal discharge, light spotting, staining at the beginning and end of periods, post-intercourse discharge and light spotting from light periods, providing extra protection. They can be worn alone or combined with tampons and menstrual cups for added security.
Some women prefer liners for additional security during periods or fertile windows; liners are an effective way of catching any light spotting that occurs prior to periods or during fertile windows, and may provide added peace of mind if worn alone.
Imagine liners as your tampon’s reliable sidekick: always there when needed and always discreet. These thin, flexible pieces feature an adhesive strip for discreet placement underneath your underwear and some are made with breathable fabrics for increased freshness throughout the day. Simply incorporate one CAREFREE liner into your morning routine for added peace of mind throughout your day’s events; just like applying perfume or changing mascara often.
Menstrual Pads
Pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material designed to attach inside of a girl’s underwear and absorb menstrual blood, also known as sanitary napkins or maxi-pads, and often feature extra material around their edges known as wings for extra support and to prevent leaks.
Some pads are specifically made to absorb daily vaginal discharge, light menstrual flow, spotting or postintercourse discharge that results from pregnancy or slight urinary incontinence (a condition affecting both women and men). Others are designed as replacement tampons during periods and come with different absorbency levels for maximum protection.
Women’s feminine hygiene pads of today feature plastic sheaths encasing thin cores of polyacrylate superabsorbent gel, while the most effective menstrual pads use topsheets that funnel fluid directly into their core, thus minimizing leaks and odor. In addition, many of them include rayon — a type of rayon fiber made from wood pulp derived by weaving it with cotton for increased comfort — but beware scented options as these could irritate vulvae and can have adverse side-effects!
Hygiene Products
Hygiene products are consumer products used to maintain clean body parts such as skin, hair, nails and lips by providing essential hygiene measures and protecting from germs. Hygiene products fall under the larger umbrella category of personal care which also encompasses cosmetic products that enhance these body parts visually.
Feminine hygiene products are specifically designed to assist women during menstruation by supporting and protecting the vulva, making their experience more comfortable. Common feminine hygiene items include sanitary towels (also referred to as maxi-pads and napkins), pantyliners, tampons and menstrual cups.
Proper hygiene product use is integral for maintaining both genital health and maintaining the microbiome and pH balance in intimate areas. Irresponsible use can alter vaginal bacterial flora, leading to infections or vulvodynia; furthermore, inappropriate products could irritate sensitive areas like the vulva or anal regions causing unnecessary discomfort and disease.
