Vaginal care - tips every woman should know

Table of contents:

• What does vaginal care mean?
• How to keep my vagina healthy?
• Helpful vaginal care tips
• Daily habits
• How often should I wash my vagina?
• How to ensure a healthy vagina during my period?
• Sex – during and after
• Vaginal care ‘no-no’s
• Should my vaginal health routine change over time?

What does vaginal care mean?

Vaginal health is important not just during your periods, but every day. Sometimes if sweat, dirt and bodily residues from the genital area are left on the body, it may contribute to infections.

It is particularly helpful to use products with a pH level that is suitable for the vulva, specifically between 3.5 and 4.5. This helps good bacteria called Lactobacillus thrive, which produces hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid . These substances play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy vaginal environment by creating an acidic barrier that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast, reducing the risk of infections such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. By supporting this natural balance, pH-appropriate products contribute to overall vulvovaginal health. Keeping your vagina clean is important to help you feel more comfortable especially during menstruation or incontinence. This is because bacteria multiply more quickly in blood and urine.

How to keep my vagina healthy?

Feminine intimate hygiene, vaginal hygiene and intimate odours are something that all women go through. It's normal – no matter what time of the month it is.

Vaginal discharge is completely normal and healthy – it is part of the process as the vagina cleans itself. In addition to washing regularly and changing your underwear frequently, wearing pantyliners can help you to feel comfortable and clean on days when you need it.

If you experience any itching, abnormal pain or change in the colour or consistency of your discharge, this could be an indication of an infection. As always, if you’re worried, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and make an appointment with your doctor.

It is important to adopt habits to keep your vagina clean. That way, you will avoid infections and be less self-conscious of suspicious odours coming from your own body.

Helpful vaginal care tips

A very important part of keeping your vagina healthy and clean is appropriate clothing: both underwear and trousers. It is important to pay attention to what materials they are made of and to change often. The most important clothing tips are:

• Invest in cotton underwear - it provides better airflow, allows for adequate moisture retention in the vagina and also wicks away excess moisture and secretions.
• Change your underwear after a workout or when you feel it may be sweaty - a moist environment is a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause an infection.
• Remove your swimming costume after swimming - this will prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Avoid leather trousers, spandex and other tight clothing that doesn’t let your body breathe.

Daily habits

Our habits often translate into how our body behaves and how resilient it is. It is worth making a few modifications to your daily routine with the following tips:

• Wipe your vagina dry with toilet paper after urination, to keep your underwear dry. However, do not use soap, talcum powder or other cosmetics on this part of your body. Let it air-dry naturally.
• Wipe from the front of your body to the back, so faecal bacteria from your anus does not get any closer to your vagina. It may take a bit of getting used to, but you will adapt within a few days.
• If you feel the need for a more thorough clean, use a wet cloth with a mild cleanser. Rinse after you use soap and pat dry. Only wash the outer genitalia.
• Use clean towels and washcloths when you clean yourself. Moist cloths retain bacteria between uses, so start fresh to stay fresh.
• Wash your hands before and after using a public bathroom. The door handles alone are touched by countless hands, so you want to have clean hands when you are removing clothing or wiping yourself.

How often should I wash my vagina?

While regular hygiene is essential for maintaining intimate health, washing too often can disrupt the natural bacteria in the vagina, making the protective barrier less effective.

Surfactants are in many cases responsible for the cleansing properties of vaginal lotions. Unfortunately, they can also irritate and remove lipids from the skin's protective barrier. This can cause irritation around the vagina area as a result.

Here are some tips:

• Wash your vagina every day while bathing or showering. Washing your genital area is also advisable after swimming in a lake or pool and after sexual intercourse.
• Avoid long baths. Lounging in water with perfumed cosmetics is not conducive to keeping intimate areas in good condition. A shower is a much more hygienic alternative.

How to ensure a healthy vagina during my period?

Maintaining a healthy vagina during your period is essential for overall comfort and hygiene. Above all, it is important to remember:

• Wash your genital area at least once a day to remove any blood residue, preferably twice daily - in the morning (after a night's sleep) and in the evening (after a full day).
• Wash your vulva with water and gently apply an emollient to the skin. Be sure to clean the external genital area only, avoiding the inside of the vagina, and use warm - not hot - water when bathing or showering.

Sex – during and after

Vaginal care before and after sex is a very important part of preventing infections. It is worth following the following advice:

• Use contraceptive methods, such as condoms, that protect you from sexually transmitted infections which can cause further complications for your reproductive system.
• Be careful when using lubricants. While these products can enhance sexual pleasure, they contain glycerine, which can irritate your vagina and make you more susceptible to infections.
• Go to the toilet immediately after intercourse (up to a maximum of 15 minutes) - urinating will reduce the risk of infection because you will remove bacteria with the urine stream.
• After sex, wash away fluids with a clean, damp cloth. This will remove any bacteria from you or your partner.

Vaginal care ‘no-no’s

It is important to ensure a careful approach to vaginal care to avoid developing vaginal infections. There are several tips to take care of your vagina:

• Do not douche to clean your vagina. This technique shoots water into the self-cleaning vaginal canal and has no proven benefits. It can alter your pH level and increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis.
• Avoid using scented products, such as wipes, vaginal deodorants or scrubs. Your body has its own scent, and this shouldn’t be erased. Scented products make you more likely to get an infection by tampering with your natural chemistry.
• Never shave your pubic hair – these hairs protect your vulva from bacterial infections. While you may be tempted to remove it, thinking it will reduce your risk of infection, it’s better to just trim it shorter.
• Shaving is more likely to injure you or expose you to chemicals that you don’t want near sensitive body parts.
• Do not dismiss vaginal infections. See your doctor if you have excessive, discoloured or strong-smelling discharge, or if you experience itching or pain.
• Do not self-diagnose. You may be nervous about talking about such a concern with your doctor, but vaginal care is completely normal. Talk to an expert.

Should my vaginal health routine change over time?

The most important rule of vaginal care, regardless of age (and conditions such as pregnancy), is the direction of washing. With the onset of menopause, the pH of intimate areas changes. The pH level changes from being more acidic to more alkaline, which makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause infections. Therefore, vaginal care during the menopause is particularly important. During and after the menopause, you should follow all the rules regarding vaginal care, but it is also worth introducing some modifications:

• if you suffer from incontinence, use incontinence pads
• for washing your genital area, use products that have soothing and moisturizing properties
• don't use scrubbers or sponges - they are a potential source of bacteria and can irritate the sensitive skin in the genital areas
• if you are sexually active, use water-based lubricants.

Source:

• Biol Psychol. 2003 Jul;63(3):269-79.