The vulva is an important area, yet it doesn’t require feminine hygiene products to remain healthy. Instead, natural bacteria help the vulva to stay clean.
Douching is an effective way to eliminate odor, but doing so on an ongoing basis could disturb the healthy microflora balance in your vulva. Instead, gentle cleansing with an unscented cleanser might be more suitable.
Underwear
Women’s underwear comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours and serves many different functions throughout the day. It can make us feel seductive while protecting us from prying eyes; shape our bodies for sexual attraction purposes or provide essential protection.
Cotton underwear is ideal for feminine hygiene as it absorbs sweat or discharge quickly and helps prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria, making for less irritation and faster recovery times.
Women on their period should change their underwear daily to prevent leaks onto other clothes and skin, avoid tight-fitting underwear as this can restrict circulation and increase risk for yeast infections, wash it separately from clothing that has come into contact with bodily fluids such as blood or vomit, to avoid cross contamination and have plenty of sanitary products on hand in case leakage does occur, so that quickly replacing either pad or tampon if required.
Intimate skin
The vulva is an area that requires special care. Avoid irritating it with harsh soaps that could lead to inflammation and infections by choosing mild cleanser that is hypoallergenic and pH-friendly; women should use one specifically made for that area to ensure balanced microflora helps defend against infections.
The market for intimate skincare products is currently experiencing a transformation. New brands are entering mainstream beauty with feminine wellness offerings based on natural and safe products, including some that promote self-love by caring for intimate areas more frequently while others promote an assertiveness about female pleasure.
These new brands are offering intimate washes free from fragrances and additives that claim to be gentle on intimate skin and the environment – an appreciated departure from old-fashioned feminine hygiene practices often associated with shameful marketing messages.
Sanitary products
Women rely on sanitary products such as tampons, pads and panty shields to help manage their periods, but these have direct impact on vaginal microbiomes; yet little is known about their short or long-term impacts. Products should be designed and tested so that they are safe for the vulva while remaining free of irritants while being hypoallergenic.
Douching, which involves washing the vagina with either water or soap, increases the risk of pushing bacteria infections into fallopian tubes and leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Furthermore, this could upset the balance of vaginal microbiomes.
The vulva is extremely sensitive, and anything entering it is quickly absorbed by the body. Therefore, to stay clean, women and girls need to make time to properly wash their genitals with pH balanced soap and water; unfortunately many avoid doing this due to fear and shame surrounding their bodies; there are alternatives such as custom-made fabric napkins, silicone cups or sea sponge tampons that provide alternative care options.
Douching
Feminine hygiene products represent a multibillion-dollar industry that adds revenue to economies worldwide. Yet not all these products can provide effective or safe solutions.
Douching, which involves washing the vagina with soap or homemade solutions of water and vinegar, can alter the natural flora in the vagina and leave women vulnerable to infections. Furthermore, douching can burn vulvar skin.
Offering girls access to adequate sanitation and education on menstrual hygiene can reduce stigma associated with periods and improve access to education, enabling them to participate in school and other activities more fully, increasing employment and entrepreneurial prospects.
Finding the appropriate feminine hygiene product depends on your flow, lifestyle, and comfort level. If you need guidance in making this selection, consult with a gynecologist for guidance. Ideally, look for something made with organic cotton that is free from chemicals, fragrances and essential oils and non-alcohol content; consider investing in either an easy to use cup or reusable pads if your period has heavy flows.
