Vaginal bacteria include both beneficial and detrimental strains; should the number of bad ones outnumber those considered beneficial, this may lead to issues such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).
A healthy vagina typically produces clear or white discharge with a non-offensive scent and has no discernible thickness during menstrual cycle, although its appearance can change depending on infections such as yeast.
Diet
Your diet affects all parts of your body, including your vagina. Bladder Vaginosis (BV) is often caused by an imbalance between good bacteria and pH levels in the vulva; diet has an impactful influence on both variables.
Probiotic- and fiber-rich diets may help alleviate these conditions, so incorporate foods like cranberries, apples, avocados and dark leafy greens into your meals, as well as fermented ones like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha into your daily regimen.
Reduced consumption of processed, saturated fats can help decrease your risk for bacterial vaginosis. Avoid foods high in trans-fats such as shortening and lard, replacing these fats with unsaturated ones such as those found in nuts, seeds and avocados instead. A registered dietitian can assess your eating habits and suggest changes that support vaginal health.
Exercise
Kegel exercises (inserting and releasing pelvic muscles) have recently come into focus as an excellent way to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and help prevent urinary tract infections, lower back pain, improve orgasm intensity, reduce vulva pain and increase bladder control.
To do Kegel exercises, sit or lie on your back with legs and feet apart and breathe deeply. Tighten the muscles in your buttocks, thighs and stomach – but avoid tightening those in your belly or vagina – but avoid tightening anything else like abdominal or vagina muscles. Once you find the appropriate muscles to target for these exercises, they can be practiced anytime or place; just avoid doing them when urinating as this may strain and weaken pelvic floor muscles over time.
Other techniques available to strengthen pelvic floor muscles include using a weighted device called a vaginal cone and biofeedback, in which sensors are placed within your rectum or vagina, relaxing and squeezing your pelvic muscles to strengthen them. Speak to your healthcare provider if interested in exploring any of these approaches.
Clean Sex
An ideal vagina is naturally home to an intricate ecosystem of good bacteria that work to control odor, defend against infection and increase semen production. Harsh soaps or douches can upset this delicate balance, leading to problems like itching and foul-smelling discharge.
An informal bath using warm water and gentle soap should be the go-to way of cleansing the outside of the vulva at least twice per day, although too frequent washing can result in dry skin or irritation; to minimize drying, consider purchasing an intimate wash specifically formulated to cleanse without disturbing natural flora or pH balance of your vulva.
Clean sex is important to avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ask partners if they have been tested, use condoms with spermicide, and regularly urinate after sexual encounters. In addition, be sure to follow any cleaning instructions on sex aids like lubricants when cleaning toys and following them correctly.
Preventive Care
Most women will experience at least one vaginal infection during their lives; however, you can avoid getting one by practicing good vaginal hygiene and avoiding things that can cause infections such as vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection) and sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Lubricate any object placed into your vagina with a disposable applicator – such as a toy, finger, ring, condom or dilator – before inserting them. Lubricants help ensure healthy vaginal conditions while making sexual intimacy more pleasurable.
Douching should also be avoided and cotton underwear worn, which allows your vulva to breathe better than synthetic materials, should be preferred over synthetic ones. You should shower or bathe regularly, cleansing your pubic area with mild soap (either liquid or solid), and changing wet clothing immediately upon wetting them down. Your diet should include fruits, veggies and whole grains for proper pH balance as well as probiotic supplements to promote the beneficial bacteria within it.
