Vaginal care is an integral component of woman’s overall wellbeing. This involves proper hygiene practices, healthy eating habits and safe sexual practices.
Vaginal hygiene tips include using unscented soap to wash the external genital area on a daily basis. Douching should also be avoided to preserve the body’s natural pH balance and create an environment conducive for bacteria or fungus growth.
Hygiene
Maintaining clean and irritant-free vaginal health requires regular cleansing with mild soap and warm water; bath and body products containing perfumes or harsh chemicals that could irritate sensitive genital skin should also be avoided.
When washing, avoid overdoing it. Your vagina is designed to naturally self-clean itself thanks to healthy bacteria living within, keeping a specific pH balance. Overwashing can upset this delicate equilibrium and lead to infection.
Genital infections are no strangers, from yeast and bacterial to fungal, as can occur elsewhere on your body. Treatment options for such infections may include antifungal creams, oral antibiotics or pessaries inserted directly into vagina – in some instances doctors will even recommend probiotic supplements as part of an overall plan to eliminate an infection quickly and effectively. Success requires pinpointing which organism caused the problem early enough and embarking upon appropriate therapy right away.
Diet
Diet plays an integral part in shaping the microbiome found both inside the gut and vagina. A healthy diet may help prevent conditions like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infections which develop when good bacteria in our microbiome become imbalanced.
Consuming probiotic-rich foods and drinking plenty of water are vital for vaginal health. Probiotic-rich foods provide essential folate, vitamin C and other essential nutrients which balance pH levels within the vagina, decreasing risk of infection.
Foods to incorporate into your diet include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale; whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice; and dairy such as yogurt with live cultures. You could also try including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids – found in fish such as salmon and mackerel; nuts; flaxseeds and walnuts as these have anti-inflammatory properties which support healthy microbiome function and reduce inflammation within your body. Be sure to drink enough water, such as cucumbers, watermelons or leafy greens which help with this endeavor!
Exercise
Exercise can not only benefit overall health, but it also can impact vaginal opening. When women participate in physical activities like running and yoga, blood flow increases which supports healthy tissue while increasing sexual drive. For optimal results it’s essential to wear breathable clothing during exercise sessions and shower after every workout in order to prevent sweat from collecting in sensitive areas and leading to irritation or yeast infections.
Kegel exercises (or pelvic floor exercises) are also highly beneficial as a form of prevention against urinary incontinence, increased orgasms and less tearing during labor. Regular pelvic floor exercise sessions (Kegel exercises) will strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and uterus – helping minimize urinary incontinence, orgasms and lessened tears during childbirth. A strong core can prevent muscle loss caused by childbirth, pregnancy or everyday use which could contribute to urinary incontinence or increased urinary incontinence in some instances.
Lifestyle Choices
Healthy actions to support the vulva and rectum can contribute to overall wellbeing. Engaging in Kegel exercises, selecting breathable cotton underwear and avoiding tight clothing that traps moisture can improve air flow to help prevent yeast infections and help avoid unpleasant odor. A diet rich in probiotic-rich foods like berries, dark greens and fermented dairy (yogurt or sauerkraut) may also aid in maintaining an appropriate pH balance within the vaginal area.
As part of education about vaginal hygiene, menstruation cycles and symptoms, and how to recognize normal symptoms it is crucial that taboo topics such as vaginal hygiene and symptoms be broken openly and addressed accordingly in order to foster open dialogue and lower stigmatisation that could otherwise lead to harmful practices, missed opportunities for proactive care or silent suffering. Prioritising vaginal wellness through proper hygiene habits, informed lifestyle decisions and regular healthcare check-ups contributes towards overall well-being and comfort for everyone involved.
