We’re going to talk about something super important: vaginal hygiene. Even though it might sound like a big word, it just means keeping your lady parts clean and healthy!
What is the vagina?
First things first, let’s understand what we’re talking about. The vagina is an opening in the female body. It’s like a tube that connects the outside of your body to the inside. It’s where babies come from when they’re born, and it’s also where your period comes. But we don’t just need to clean out the vagina- we need to take care of the whole vulva to avoid urinary tract infections, yeast infections and other itchy and uncomfortable symptoms.
Why is Feminine Hygiene Important?
Just like you brush your teeth to keep them clean and healthy, it’s important to keep your vagina fresh too. A clean vagina helps prevent infections and keeps you feeling fresh and comfortable.
How to Keep Your Vagina Clean:
Washing: Make sure to rinse your vagina gently every day when you take a bath or shower. You don’t need fancy soaps or special products. Just warm water will do. And remember, only “wash” the outside—never try to wash inside your labia or near the vagina itself. It’s self-cleaning inside, so it doesn’t need extra help!
Wiping: When you go to the bathroom, always remember to wipe from front to back with your toilet paper. This helps keep bacteria from getting into your vagina and causing infections. Certain toilet paper types can also prevent irritation! See our blog post, Best Toilet Paper For Sensitive Skin for more information on this!
Changing Clothes: It’s important to change your underwear every day, especially if they get sweaty or soiled. Wearing clean underwear helps keep your vagina fresh and healthy
Period Care: During your period, change your pads or tampons regularly to keep your vulva from getting irritated with period blood. And don’t forget to wash your hands before and after changing them!
Things to Avoid:
Douching: You might have heard about something called douching, but it’s not a good idea. Douching means putting water or other liquids into your vagina to clean it. But actually, it can upset the natural balance of good bacteria in your vagina and cause infections.
Harsh Soaps: Avoid using strong or scented soaps, as they can irritate your vagina and vulva and make it dry and uncomfortable, red or itchy.
Tight Clothes: Wearing tight clothes all the time can trap moisture and sweat around your vagina, which can lead to infections. So, try to wear loose, breathable clothes, especially when it’s hot outside.
Remember, it’s normal for your vagina to have a slight odor—it’s just a part of being human! Think of it as your body ridding toxins and cleaning itself. We definitely want that! But if you ever notice any itching, burning, or unusual discharge, make sure you tell your physician or Pelvic Floor PT. They can help you figure out if something else is going on!
Taking care of your vagina is an important part of staying healthy and feeling good about yourself. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be a vaginal hygiene pro in no time!