Summary
Vaginal hygiene is not openly discussed, but is a crucial component of health. The vaginal canal is self-cleaning and should never be washed with soap. This can disrupt the pH of the vagina and cause other complications. The vulva, the exposed female genitalia, is primarily made of folds of skin and should be cleaned regularly in the shower with water and a fragrance-free, mild soap. Do not use any abrasives while cleaning the vulva. It is also recommended to wear breathable, cotton undergarments to prevent the growth and multiplication of bacteria in this area. For women who experience menstruation – Please change or empty your period products at the recommended intervals. A diet rich in anti-oxidants, fruits and veggies is beneficial to your vaginal health. Staying hydrated also helps keep the vagina functioning well. Dehydration is known to worsen yeast infections and cause irritation in the skin of the vulva.
Introduction
Keeping your vagina and vulva clean and healthy is easier than you think. It just takes a few daily steps, and observing and understanding your own body. The vagina (part of the reproductive canal) is a self-cleaning organ and actually doesn’t require too much work to keep it clean. The vulva (the external female reproductive part, including the labia and clitoris) basically consists of skin folds of various types, and hence requires washing like skin on other parts of the body. Girls need to be taught about feminine hygiene from a young age, just as they are taught to wash their hands. Talking about feminine hygiene is not dirty, and should not be stigmatized.
In this article, we will outline 7 vaginal hygiene tips to keep you feeling your best:
- Keep it clean – A gynecologist would advise that the vagina is self-cleaning, meaning you typically don’t need to do much to keep it clean. It’s crucial to pay attention to the discharge and monitor any changes in color, texture or smell, as these could indicate a problem. The skin of the vulva should be cleaned with a mild, fragrance-free soap. You should avoid scrubbing the skin with a washcloth or a loofah- applying gentle pressure with your fingers during a shower is enough. Importantly, a gynecologist would state categorically that the vagina isn’t meant to smell like a flower. Thus, you should never use scented products to clean it. Moreover, soap should never be inserted into the vagina. This can disrupt the acidic pH level of the vagina, leading to irritation and possible infection.
- It is also important to make sure there is no cross-contamination between the anus and the vagina. After bowel movements, it is important to wipe from the front to back and never from the back to the front. Be very careful with this as it can lead to urinary tract infections. Also avoid douching or steaming the vagina.
- Wear breathable undergarments – Cotton panties are the best option to keep your vagina cool, dry and ventilated. Synthetic fabrics like nylon and spandex trap heat and moisture around the vagina. If the vagina is unventilated, the high humidity levels in the intimate area can lead to the growth of bacteria causing yeast infections and UTIs. Consider wearing more comfortable underwear styles like boy shorts on an everyday basis and avoid thongs as much as possible. Thongs are too tight, and can collect small particles of faecal matter which could get transferred accidentally to the vulva. They also cause too much friction and result in skin irritation and itchiness.
- After workouts, the best thing to do is shower immediately. However, if you don’t have access to a shower, the next best thing is to change your sweaty clothes and undergarments, making sure your skin is patted dry. Same goes for swimming – Always change out of your wet swimsuit immediately. If you experience heavy vaginal discharge, consider changing your underwear twice a day.
- Change your period product at the recommended interval – The choice of period product you use during menstruation is an extremely personal choice. Some women prefer pads, as they would prefer to avoid inserting anything into the vagina. Some women prefer tampons, because it helps avoid the chafing and slippage that sometimes accompanies pad usage. Some women prefer to use reusable period products like menstrual cups to avoid polluting the environment. Whatever your choice of period product is, the crucial thing is to change or empty the product at the correct interval.
- Pads need to be changed every 4 hours (at the most). If you have heavier flow, we recommend changing your pad every 2 to 3 hours. The period blood collected in the pad is exposed to air and this causes potentially harmful bacteria to multiply. Leaving your pad on for longer than 4 hours can cause infections in the vulva.
A gynaecologist advises that tampons must be changed every 6 hours at the latest. NEVER leave your tampon in for longer than 6 hours, even if you think it isn’t “full” yet. This can lead to a very dangerous condition called toxic shock syndrome. Avoid wearing tampons to sleep, as you could end up accidentally leaving it in for almost 8 to 10 hours!
- Menstrual cups must be emptied out every 10 to 12 hours.
- Grooming must be done very carefully – First and foremost, removing your pubic hair is not necessary from a hygiene perspective. The pubic hair performs an important function – It protects the vulva from bacteria and viruses and shield the sensitive skin. As long as you wash it regularly and keep it clean and dry, the pubic hair is no threat to hygiene. However, social norms in some cultures demand removal of pubic hair. When grooming the hair, it is important to do so very carefully as the skin in the bikini area is very sensitive. There are a range of hair removal options to choose from – Shaving, waxing, electrolysis, laser hair removal etc.
- If shaving is your method of choice, make sure you always use a fresh razor every time you shave. You need to ensure you shave in the direction of the hair growth to avoid any ingrown hair. Also stretch the skin tight before every stroke of the razor to avoid cutting or nicking yourself. Any cuts or nicks in the bikini area become more prone to infection than other parts of the body. If you choose to wax your bikini area, pick a reputable salon, and ensure they follow the best hygiene standards. All methods of hair removal used on the bikini area result in some ingrown hairs. Do not pick at these ingrown hairs! Try to gently exfoliate them with a natural body scrub, taking care not to irritate the rest of the skin around it. If this doesn’t work, you can try to open up the pores using a warm compress and gently pull out the follicle with sterilised tweezers. If there is a bump, or any pus formation around the ingrown hair, visit your dermatologist for professional guidance.
- Follow a healthy diet – Our diets really do affect every aspect of our health. A healthy diet is key to maintaining the pH of your vagina. A balanced pH level is usually between 4.2 to 3.8, but varies with age and where you are in your menstrual cycle. To maintain optimal health, we recommend a diet rich in probiotics, especially lactobacillus-rich foods like yoghurt. It’s also beneficial to include a variety of anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich foods like fruits and vegetables in your diet. These foods keep the mucous membranes and other tissues of the vagina healthy and boost your body’s ability to fight infections. Omega-3 fatty acids help boost circulation and blood flow to the area as well.
- Stay hydrated – If you experience dehydration regularly, chances are your vagina and vulva are getting dehydrated too. The skin of the vulva, especially of the labia, is prone to dryness. Chronic dehydration can cause dryness, irritation and itching of the vulva. Combine this with irresponsible hair removal methods and you’re asking for major trouble. Dryness of the vagina can also make yeast infections worse. When the vagina is dry, it is more difficult for it to clean itself through discharge. This can cause infections and also affect the all-important pH level! To avoid all these complications, make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. We also recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine as these can lead to dehydration.
- Practice safe sex and post-coital hygiene practices – If you are sexually-active, you must prioritise your genital health. It is important to get screened regularly for sexually-transmitted infections. We recommend washing your intimate area before and after intercourse to prevent the spread and growth of bacteria. Another good tip is to empty your bladder immediately after sex. This will help expel any bacteria that may have spread to the urethra, and prevent painful UTIs. It is also recommended to avoid having intercourse during your periods. Your partner must also follow good intimate hygiene to protect you from infection.
Maintaining vaginal health often comes down to common-sense and regular hygienic practices. Whether it’s paying attention to body changes, avoiding scented products, wearing breathable undergarments, or practicing regular grooming, every step we take towards preserving our vaginal health can vastly improve overall well-being. At Kauvery Hospital, with branches spread across Tamil Nadu in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, we pride ourselves on delivering quality healthcare services. Our team of gynaecologists is always available to answer your doubts or concerns about intimate health. Education about feminine hygiene might often be overlooked or shrouded in societal stigma, but at Kauvery Hospital, we believe in empowering and equipping individuals with knowledge about their bodies. After all, good health is the foundation for a fulfilling life.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801