Your vagina is an amazing self-cleaning organ. It produces mucus, which washes away dead cells and bacteria, keeping things balanced and healthy. This mucus, along with sweat and natural secretions, creates a healthy vaginal ecosystem with a specific pH balance.
This pH balance is key to preventing the growth of bad bacteria and yeast, which can cause infections. But even though your vagina is a self-cleaning marvel, that doesn’t mean a little tender loving care (TLC) can’t go a long way. By following these dos and don’ts, you can help maintain a healthy vaginal balance and prevent irritation and infections.
What You Should Do:
- Keep it gentle: For daily washing, warm water is all you need. The vagina is a self-cleaning oven, and harsh soaps or scrubs can disrupt this delicate ecosystem. The vagina maintains a naturally occurring balance of good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria helps keep yeast and harmful bacteria in check. Douching or using harsh soaps can strip away this good bacteria, leaving you more vulnerable to infections.
- Wipe front to back: This simple practice helps prevent bacteria from entering the urethra and causing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Choose cotton underwear: Cotton is breathable and absorbs moisture, which helps prevent irritation and yeast infections. Tight-fitting, non-breathable underwear can trap moisture and create a breeding ground for yeast.
- Change clothes after sweating: Dampness promotes yeast growth, so change out of sweaty clothes, including your workout gear, as soon as possible. Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments.
- Pee after sex: This helps flush out bacteria that might have been introduced during sex. Urinating after sex helps to flush out any bacteria that may have been pushed up into the urethra during intercourse.
- Listen to your body: Your vagina is pretty good at communicating its needs. If you notice a change in vaginal odor, discharge, or experience itching or burning, see a doctor. A healthy vagina typically has a mild, musky scent. A strong, unpleasant odor or any other changes could indicate an infection. Vaginal discharge is normal and healthy. It can change in consistency and amount throughout your cycle. However, if you notice a significant change in color, amount, or consistency, or if it’s accompanied by itching or burning, it’s best to see a doctor.
What You Shouldn’t Do:
- Douche: Douching disrupts the vagina’s natural pH balance, which is a delicate balance between acidity and alkalinity. This balance helps keep good bacteria thriving and harmful bacteria in check. Douching washes away this good bacteria, leaving you more prone to bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Use harsh soaps or scented products: The vulva, the outer part of your genitals, is delicate and has sensitive skin. Harsh soaps, perfumes, and dyes in soaps, laundry detergents, and toilet paper can irritate the vulva, causing itching, burning, and redness. Stick to unscented, gentle products designed for sensitive skin.
- Wear tight-fitting clothing: Tight pants, leggings, and shapewear can trap moisture and heat against the vulva, creating a breeding ground for yeast infections. Opt for loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics, especially when you’re going to be sweating.
- Neglect wiping after using the toilet: Wiping from front to back after using the toilet is essential for preventing bacteria from entering the vagina and urethra. This can help prevent UTIs and vaginal infections.
- Ignore unusual changes: Your vagina does a good job of letting you know when something is off. If you notice a change in vaginal odor, discharge, or experience itching or burning, don’t wait to see a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of any underlying issues can help prevent complications and discomfort.
Remember:
- The vagina is naturally odorless, or has a mild, musky scent. A strong, unpleasant odor could indicate an infection such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) or trichomoniasis. These infections can cause a fishy odor, or a foul-smelling discharge.
- Vaginal discharge is normal and healthy. It can change in consistency and amount throughout your cycle. For example, you may notice more discharge around ovulation, which is typically clear and stretchy. Discharge can also be heavier and white or cloudy before your period. However, if you notice a significant change in color (like green or yellow), amount, or consistency, or if it’s accompanied by itching or burning, it’s best to see a doctor to rule out an infection.
By following these simple tips, you can maintain a healthy and balanced vagina, which is essential for your overall well-being.
