Have you ever wondered how to keep it clean down there? With the rise of social media and increased educational efforts for women’s health, awareness of intimate hygiene has increased significantly. As a result, the feminine hygiene product industry has become a multi-billion dollar market that continues to expand every year.
Drugstore aisles are stocked with a variety of products to help you feel fresh and clean. From vulva perfumes and scented cleansing cloths to feminine shower gels, what to buy to stay fresh and feel your best every day can be confusing. It turns out there are simple changes we can make to our hygiene routine to keep our vaginas healthy so we can feel clean and confident no matter what the day brings.
Read on as we share the real deal about staying clean down there, including a supplement to add to your diet to help promote healthy vaginal odor.
Skip the ladies’ shower: Here’s why it’s not worth it
If you’re not familiar with the word douche, it’s a French word that means “to wash” or “soak.” Bathing means cleaning or rinsing the vagina with a liquid solution in combination with other substances. These mixtures include homemade herbal preparations, antiseptics, vinegar mixtures, or using store-bought preparations. While douching has been around for thousands of years, it has become more popular due to advertisements from companies that sell douching products.
Douching is a two-step process. The first step involves placing the mixture in a bottle or bag. It is then introduced into the vagina by spraying or squirting from a bottle which is flushed out cleaning the vagina.
Women all over the world bathe for many reasons, but their goal is to achieve a certain level of cleanliness and to be odor free. They believe it will help treat or prevent vaginal odors associated with sex and menstruation. Other reasons women douche include preventing pregnancy, eliminating itching, reducing vaginal odors, and feeling clean and fresh.
The reason for this is that a healthy vagina consists of a balance of good and harmful bacteria to maintain the natural acidic environment, and the use of washing products can change this balance of flora. Disrupting this delicate balance of flora can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Not only can this lead to yeast infections and mess up the pH of a healthy vagina, but studies have shown that women who shower tend to have more incidents bacterial vaginitis.
Conclusion? The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology does not recommend bathing.
Healthy habits for vaginal hygiene
If washing is not recommended, then what can we do to stay fresh and clean while ensuring a healthy vagina? Keep reading for tips you can start implementing today.
Skip The Soap
According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your vagina cleans itself. Would you like a receipt; Look for normal odorless discharge in your underwear. Your vagina cleans itself daily, shedding dead skin cells from its lining, producing a clear, white, odorless discharge.
In addition, the lining is also made up of lactobacilli which keep the lining of the vagina slightly acidic to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and germs. Yeast may also be present, but the natural acidity keeps it in check and prevents overgrowth.
As a result, Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a board-certified OB/GYN in Rosy says, “The vagina does not need to be cleaned.” In fact, overemphasis on hygiene can disrupt your natural pH balance increasing your chances of vaginal infections and discomfort.
Say No to Perfume
While soap is not recommended for cleaning the vagina, it is recommended that you clean your vulva daily with a mild, pH-appropriate soap and water. “The vulva is female genitalia that you can see externally, including the labia, clitoris and perineum,” says Dr. Harper. Because the vulva can be vulnerable to contact dermatitis, choose an irritant-free, hypoallergenic soap with pH ranging from 4.2 to 5.6.
Despite the abundance of specialty feminine hygiene products, finding the perfect soap doesn’t have to be expensive or require hours of research. It can be as simple as picking up a bar of Dove Colorless and Fragrance-Free Sensitive Skin or Ivory Gentle at your local grocery store, as recommended by Dr. Harper.
Choose cotton over synthetics
Remember that discharge from your self-cleaning vagina? You’ll want to wear the right fabric underwear to absorb moisture so it doesn’t lead to yeast or bacterial infections. And the best fabric for this is cotton. Cotton is not only breathable and natural, but also soft and comfortable for the sensitive skin around your pubic areas.
Other materials like synthetics or nylon can irritate your skin and trap moisture creating a perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth leading to infections. Also, it is best to avoid wearing tight pants or underwear that can cause heat, friction and irritation, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
As for underwear style? That’s up to you and what’s most comfortable, including thongs. Underwear styles did not affect it pH, skin microclimate or microflora as we once believed. ONE study done in 2018 looked at the relationship between thong use and the prevalence of urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. In the end, they concluded that wearing thongs did not play a role in these infections or increase a woman’s susceptibility to them.
So wear whatever is most comfortable and appropriate for you!
The best probiotic for vaginal health
A healthy vagina relies on the balance of thousands of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. Our understanding of the microbiome is constantly expanding as we learn more about how the microbiome plays a role in maintaining a healthy vagina. Upsetting this balanced balance can make one more susceptible to infections.
Research shows that there is a strain of probiotics called Lactobacillus acidophilus which is more common in vaginas of healthy women. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microorganisms. By encouraging healthy bacteria to multiply, probiotics can prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria or fungi, reducing the chances of vaginal infections.
Probiotic supplements like Private Party contain a combination of three strains of bacteria from the Lactobacillus family. Studies have shown that the bacteria in the supplement can attach to the cells of the vaginal lining promoting a healthy pH. In addition to containing probiotics, Private Party also contains proanthocyanidins, the main component of cranberries that promote urinary tract health. This combination of Lactobacillus bacteria with proanthocyanidins creates a powerful blend that is ideal for overall vaginal health and maintaining a healthy pH balance.
When to consult your healthcare professional
Following these hygiene habits is a good start, but there will be times when you need to seek professional help. Let’s say you’re experiencing persistent symptoms like unusual discharge that’s yellow or green, a strong or foul odor, or itching in the pelvic area, in which case Dr. Harper suggests visiting your health care professional. These signs indicate a possible underlying infection that requires professional evaluation and treatment.
It’s also a good idea to see a doctor or health care provider if you have sexual health problems. Feeling discomfort during sex or having symptoms of sexually transmitted infections warrants a visit to your doctor. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to the transmission of infections to your partners.
The Takeaway
Vaginal hygiene is not complicated and does not require a shelf full of products. Choosing cotton underwear of your choice, using unscented soap, adding a probiotic supplement, and knowing when to seek medical attention can go a long way in promoting a healthy vagina. Use these tips today to feel confident about cleanliness in your intimate spaces!
