At any drugstore, there are plenty of feminine hygiene products on display – but often-overlooked items, like washes, wipes and sprays can disturb the natural vaginal pH balance, leading to irritation or infection in users.
Your vulva doesn’t require special soaps or products; its own natural discharge should help it maintain an ideal pH balance. Conduct regular self-exams of your vulva or vagina, as well as discuss changes with a Moreland OB-GYN provider about any concerns related to it.
Cleanse
Women should pay careful attention to their vulva hygiene in order to prevent infections, rashes and unpleasant odors. Daily intimate care helps avoid infections, rashes and unpleasant odors that could potentially arise in this sensitive area.
Clean the external part of your vulva – such as the inner and outer labia (lips), clitoris, urethra and mons pubis (rounded mass of fatty tissue over pubic bones) with warm water and pH-balanced wash, using either soft cloths or your hands to avoid getting soap into vagina. Shower rather than taking a bath as bathwater may expose too much soap for too long and cause irritation of vaginal linings.
Do not douche, as this disrupts the natural pH balance and strips off beneficial bacteria that helps support vaginal health. Women can reduce their risk of infection by wearing cotton underwear, regularly replacing tampons and pads during periods, avoiding perfumed products, drinking plenty of fluids and visiting their gynecologist regularly for preventative care and screening for cervical cancer.
Moisturize
Moisturizing intimate areas is one of the best ways to ease dryness and discomfort during sexual encounters. At Ah! Yes!, we offer a selection of quality vaginal moisturizers designed for all women – with fragrance-free long lasting moisturizing gel being our top pick.
Specialized moisturizers designed specifically to keep the vulva healthy can help to ensure it remains hydrated and supple, especially during times of hormonal shifts such as menopause when estrogen levels decline, leading to symptoms such as atrophy and dryness – this condition may be further compounded by certain medications or hormone replacement therapy that includes estrogen.
Nonhormonal options, including moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E such as our More Than Lip Service, may help alleviate these symptoms. They should be applied frequently (several times a week), to make sex, pelvic exams, dilator therapy or any other sexual activity more comfortable for all involved parties. Lubricants can also be applied at the time of sexual activity to decrease friction between tissues.
Freshen
Caring for “down there” doesn’t have to include fancy products or dramatic lifestyle adjustments; simply regularly wash with warm water (soap is optional) using mild fragrance-free soap (such as Dove-Hypoallergenic or Neutrogena) and keep in mind that your vagina naturally cleans itself; douching can disrupt this natural balance allowing bacteria or yeast colonies to form, potentially leading to infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.
Douching also pushes semen and other sexual secretions into the urethra, the tube leading from the bladder to the body, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections and creating an uncomfortable burning sensation in the vulva. Douching increases the likelihood of cervicitis – inflammation of both uterus and cervix caused by sexually transmitted infections (STI).
Deodorize
Women entering a drugstore’s feminine hygiene aisle are faced with lotions, potions and wipes promising to keep vaginas fresh – yet our vulvae don’t require these products, and many have even been proven harmful for female health.
Douches and scented deodorants may alter the natural pH level in the vagina, wiping away healthy bacteria that protect against infections, increasing risk. Women should avoid using tampons or panties that contain talc or other irritating components as these could exacerbate infection further.
Odor down there is a normal part of life and often results from bacteria overgrowth or sweat produced during physical activity. A strong or unusual odor could indicate infection and should be evaluated medically immediately; in addition to choosing gentle cleansers and avoiding tight underwear, eating a balanced diet and increasing physical activity are other effective measures that may reduce odor. Coppery or sour aromas similar to that found in yogurt or beer often indicate healthy vaginas with active Lactobacilli growth.
