Intimate Area Hygiene: All You Need To Know
Every woman, after striking puberty, should take intimate area hygiene seriously. Failing this, you may have to go through the ordeals of infection and foul smell—something that’s best done without!
You may be taking care of your overall health but paying close attention to your vagina is equally important. Otherwise, rest assured, it’s going to demand your attention with some pretty inconvenient signs – pain, dryness, odor, and other woes you cannot imagine! So read on to know more about intimate area hygiene!
Intimate Area Hygiene Tips Every Woman Should Know
One aspect of health that is perhaps the most neglected is intimate care. With over 75% of all women being completely unaware of the need for a separate intimate care regime, many women end up facing infections.
When it comes to maintaining vaginal health, a spray of water and soap isn’t going to do the trick. Everything ‘down there’ is sensitive and delicate, and requires all the special care it can get. To be honest, there’s not a lot you actually should do to the area itself – the vagina has a self-cleansing and balancing mechanism in place. It’s more about what you can do to ensure that the mechanism stays put…and here’s how!
Vagina and Vulva are different!
Due to a lack of sex education and openness on this topic, several misconceptions need to be cleared for the good. So it’s best to clear them and start by giving you the basic knowledge of your body!
‘Vagina‘, is the part that’s inside the body, leading up to the uterus. On the outside is your “vulva“, which includes the lips or labia, which protect the urinary opening, vestibule, clitoris, and vaginal opening. Now that you know the most basic things about the female anatomy, you need to understand that keeping things clean on the inside is different from cleansing the outside.
Vaginal Cleaning: intimate care no-no!
An often asked question is: How do you clean the vaginal tube? Well, you don’t clean it. That’s right, you are not supposed to be using external agents like soap, body washes, or even the fruity and flowery vaginal care products to clean the inside. No water on the inside, no douching.
This is because your vagina is a wonderful machine that’s designed to clean itself! A whitish fluid is produced in your body, gently cleanses the inside, and leaves the body. So, the next time you see some discharge, don’t be alarmed!
Remember that when you put external agents inside the body, it makes your vagina prone to infections and odor. This is because they cause pH imbalance inside, leading to an overgrowth of bacteria and fungus. They can also cause the vagina to become dry, by removing the naturally produced lubricant, which can make intercourse very painful and lead to infections.
Tips for a Healthy Intimate Area
So this is what we have learned so far: Firstly, Vagina and Vulva are different parts of or intimate area. Secondly, a vaginal tube shouldn’t be cleaned using external products as it has a self-cleaning mechanism. Thirdly, unsafe sex, or improper intimate area hygiene can cause infections. So what do we do to avoid infections and keep the area near and tidy?! Here are some useful tips you can include in your daily routine!
1) Making vaginal wash part of your daily hygiene routine
Intimate care isn’t something you should have to worry about only when you start experiencing discomfort. Regular care and preventive measures ensure you stay clean and healthy always. Care shouldn’t be limited to washing only while bathing. Women should wash their intimate areas 2-3 times using intimate area washes! This is especially during monsoons and menstrual cycles to keep infections at bay.
2) Trim timely
Don’t let your pubic hair grow too much. Overgrowth will trap sweat and cause an odor in the private area. Also, the piling of sweat may lead to infections in your intimate area. So, it’s best to trim extras off or shave them completely. If you plan to shave, use a shaving gel or conditioner to avoid cuts and rashes. Furthermore, you could also go for a Brazilian wax if you want that long-lasting smooth, and fresh feel. It might be a little painful, but the fresh feeling afterward is worth it!
3) Don’t use soap and water!
Soap has a Ph factor of 5.5 which is the same as your skin. However, vaginal skin is very delicate and therefore Ph balance ranges from 3.8 to 4.5. It is essential to maintain the Ph balance to avoid dryness, soreness, and irritation of the vagina. Maintaining a pH balance also keeps a check on the growth of harmful bacteria. You can try using intimate area washes like V-wash.
4) Wash and wipe your intimate area
One of the most important tips for a healthy vagina is to wash it off every time you pee, at the time of taking your shower, and also after you’ve had sex. Remember to wipe your private areas properly as dampness might cause sores, infections, or bad smells. Ensure to wipe from front to back. This is because you don’t wanna bring back the germs and gross stuff from the anus to the vagina right after you’re done cleaning it!
5) Give your intimate area some time to breathe!
Changing your underwear at night is a good idea. But you know what’s a better one? Going commando! Spare the area for a few hours and let it experience comfort without being tightly covered all the time. Furthermore, it’s important to do this after a workout as well. Don’t sit around in stinky, sweaty workout clothes once you’re done! Get into a shower and wash away the potential for a bacterial breeding ground.
6) Cotton is the key to keep your intimate area hygienic!
Cotton is the softest and most skin-friendly fabric. It allows for air circulation and absorbs moisture quickly. While silk and satin underwear can be worn on special occasions, but make sure to cotton underwear wear daily. Furthermore, avoid wearing nylon pantyhose or panty girdles. They trap heat and moisture, providing an ideal breeding environment for organisms. When nylons or leggings are required, wear cotton or nylons with a cotton panty. Also, avoid wearing thongs! Lastly, try to wear white and other light-colored underwear only.
7) Change your pads often!
Even if you aren’t bleeding that heavily, always change your pads or tampons within 5 hours. Otherwise, be prepared for an unpleasant scene ‘down there’ very soon! Don’t forget that these products are infused with chemicals that could have drastic effects on your health if not disposed of frequently. So unless it’s a menstrual cup that you’ve inserted in your vagina, 5 hours should be the cut-off time for any product to stay in there!
8) Develop healthy sex habits!
This includes changing condoms when moving from oral or anal to vaginal sex, or rather, using condoms in the first place! Married or unmarried, you are still at risk of developing STDs, which is why keeping it clean ‘down there’ is super important!
Similarly, urinating after sex is another habit to develop. It’s a way of flushing out and keeping away any harmful germs that may have found their way into the vagina during intercourse.
Lastly, ladies please use a lube! Yes, the vagina is self-lubricating but a good lube will help reduce the strain and pressure on your delicate darling! There is a variety of over the counter lubes available which are pleasurable and hygienic for your intimate area! Also, stay away from using baby oils and petroleum jelly as lubes as they create irritation and infections. Try lubes and you want to be disappointed!
Also, meet your OBGYN once a year and get a clear check-up done. Furthermore, incorporate Kegel exercises as they strengthen the muscles and solve problems like urinary incontinence, improve bladder and bowel functions, and can contribute wonderfully to better sex life!
Following these basic intimate area hygiene tips will ensure that your intimate area remains perfectly healthy! Learn how to keep your private parts clean as much as you take care of any other part of your body. A clean vagina will not only make you feel great but will boost your confidence and keep you fuss-free!
Let us know if you liked this article! Also, share it with all women you know and help spread awareness regarding intimate area hygiene!
