How To Maintain Vaginal Hygiene? 12 Tips To Avoid Any Vaginal Health Issues

Firstly, you should understand, that the vagina is not the outer part that you can see, the sides of the female organ are called the labia. The opening, which is also the canal for menstrual flow or penetration is called the vagina.

What is vaginal hygiene?

According to doctor Cutres, the vagina is a self-cleaning organ. You should not put any product unless recommended by your doctor inside your vagina for good female hygiene. It is likely to change the pH of your vagina which can give an invitation to some diseases.

Importance of vaginal hygiene

For a woman’s health, proper vaginal cleanliness is critical. Keeping the vulva clean the right way, whether or not you’re of reproductive age, can make a big impact when it comes to vaginal infections. Your vaginal area is delicate, yet maintaining excellent cleanliness is surprisingly simple.

Maintaining the pH of the vaginal area is the most critical aspect of vaginal hygiene. A typical vaginal pH is somewhat acidic, and when this is disrupted, women begin to suffer infection symptoms. Irritation, itching, and discomfort are possible symptoms. Some women, especially during pregnancy, are more sensitive to vaginal changes.

Any foreign material injected into your vagina might change the pH, so be careful what you put in there to avoid upsetting its protective habitat. At the same time, don’t just concentrate on the vaginal area; pay attention to the surrounding external area as well. Here are some suggestions for maintaining good vaginal hygiene.

How to maintain the hygiene of private parts?

1. Keep your underwear dry

When you don’t wipe the vagina after urinating, the panties get wet, which can generate a terrible odor and put you at risk for vaginal infections. As a result, it’s always a good idea to wipe the area with toilet paper or a soft cloth to keep your underwear dry. This is also considered good for vaginal health. A healthy vaginal environment includes vaginal fluid or discharge. The use of talcum powder or excessive cleaning of the vaginal area can make it exceedingly dry, causing irritation and vaginal dryness. It can also cause pain and make sex more vulnerable to harm. Furthermore, according to a research study, talcum powder use in the genital area can cause urinary incontinence.

2. After 4-6 hours, change your sanitary pads

According to Dr. Nupur Gupta, a Delhi-based gynecologist, women with regular blood flow should change a sanitary napkin every four to six hours. The same is true on days when your blood flow is low. This is one of the most important intimate hygiene tips. If you have a strong flow during your period, you should change your sanitary pads every 3-4 hours. If you’re using a tampon, make sure to change it every six hours. During menstruation, sanitize the area every time you use the restroom. If sanitary napkins or tampons are not changed frequently enough, they can cause skin irritation and odor. It can also put you in danger of infection in some circumstances. Furthermore, some women like to use reusable cloth.

3. Always clean the vaginal area after intercourse

Make it a practice to clean your vaginal area after each sex session. This is because body fluids and particles from condoms can irritate the skin. In addition, failing to clean up after yourself might lead to vaginal infections. To avoid diseases such as urinary tract infections and keep good vaginal health, always rinse the vagina after sex with water (UTIs).

Also read, 10 Effective Vaginal Itching Home Remedies To Get Easy Relief

4. When washing your vaginal area, avoid using soap

You can get a clean vagina by avoiding using strong soaps or scented soaps. The use of soaps containing hazardous compounds such as glycerol, fragrances, and antiseptics might disrupt the vaginal bacteria’s healthy equilibrium. It can also alter the pH in the vaginal region, causing discomfort and encouraging the growth of harmful germs. Instead, wash the area around the vagina with ordinary soap and water, ideally lukewarm water.

5. Do not douche

A douche is a genital hygiene device that cleans vaginal secretions by flushing water into the vagina. Douching entails the use of chemicals that can alter the vaginal pH. As a result, the usual vaginal bacteria may be disrupted. Furthermore, there is no proof that douching protects you from sexually transmitted illnesses or vaginal infections.

6. No perfumed feminine hygiene products, please

Using feminine hygiene products such as scented wipes, vaginal deodorants, or scrubs to maintain the vagina healthily is not a good idea. In reality, these products may aggravate your illness and make you more susceptible to infection. Furthermore, utilizing vaginal washes might cause skin peeling, which increases your risk of infection.

7. Safely make sexual contact

Sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, warts, syphilis, and the human immunodeficiency virus can all be spread during unprotected intercourse (HIV). As a result, using condoms every time you have sex is one of the most straightforward and effective ways to avoid STIs, vaginal infections, and unexpected pregnancies. But, before you use one, make sure you’re not allergic to the condom’s substance and choose the right one for you.

8. Avoid wearing clothing that is too tight

The majority of specialists advise that you wear underwear made of breathable fibers like cotton. This is due to the restricted air circulation caused by wearing tight clothing and inners made of synthetic textiles. Vaginal infection can be caused by excessive perspiration and dampness, which encourages the growth of bacteria and yeast. For long periods, avoid wearing leather pants, tight spandex, or wet swimming suits. Also, change your clothes after working out, exercising, or engaging in any other sweaty activity.

9. Learn how to wipe properly

Are you wiping down the area properly? Almost certainly not! Cleaning the vagina should be done from front to back (vagina to anus), not the other way around. This is because if you do it the opposite way, you risk pulling hazardous bacteria into your vaginal area. If you’ve been wiping in the wrong way, now is the moment to switch.

10. Pubic hair should not be shaved

Some women prefer to shave their pubic hair because they believe it is disgusting and unclean. However, if studies are to be believed, pubic hair works as a protective shield, shielding the vulva (the outer region of the female genitalia that surrounds the vaginal entrance) from bacterial infections.

11. Infections of the vaginal area should not be overlooked

Finally, but certainly not least, do not disregard any indications or symptoms of vaginal infections. Consult your doctor right away if you have a foul odor, profuse vaginal discharge, or colored vaginal discharge. Also, an itching vagina or soreness in the vaginal region should not be ignored because it could indicate an underlying health problem.

12. Self-medication should never be attempted

When it comes to infections or disorders of the genital areas, such as ringworm, pubic lice, vaginal dryness, or itching, most women are hesitant to see a gynecologist. They do try some quick home remedies like washing the vagina with baking soda solution or applying a homemade paste to get rid of the odor. Furthermore, if home remedies fail to provide relief, over-the-counter antifungal or antibiotic ointment or lotions are the next best thing. However, this strategy is incorrect. All of these issues should be discussed with a doctor.

To maintain a healthy vagina, every woman should follow these fundamental feminine hygiene practices. Please share this information with all of your friends, especially your daughters, to raise awareness. Because knowing these suggestions from the time you’re in puberty can make a significant difference in your general health and well-being.