Female Hygiene
Proper female hygiene is one of the most important gifts a woman can give her body. It not only ensures great personal hygiene, but it also protects us from facing more severe health issues that may be cause by poor female hygiene. Learning how to properly care for ourselves, however, can be a bit tricky as there is a lot of untrue information circulating the internet, and numerous products on the shelves that promise good hygiene but may not actually be that safe to use.
These are some of the most common myths about female hygiene:
- You Need Special Products—no, you do not. The vagina has the ability to self-clean, and the vulva can be cleaned by thoroughly washing it with lukewarm water. You may use a mild, unscented soap if you wish, but make sure to wash off with plenty of water and pat the area dry, as extra moisture enables bacteria growth.
- Vaginal Discharge Means Yeast Infection—it doesn’t. Vaginal discharge is absolutely normal and varies throughout your cycle. Secretions help remove bacteria and dead cells, thus keeping a healthy balance of vaginal flora. Healthy discharge does not have a strong odor or color and it shouldn’t cause discomfort. If you notice a strong odor, discharge that is abnormal to your body, and soreness and itching on the vaginal area, then you may be experiencing symptoms of an infection.
- Vaginal Odor Means I Have an STI—not always. Every vagina has a distinct smell that also varies throughout the cycle, any may be more potent after you sweat or after sexual intercourse. More often, vaginal odor can be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis: this happens when there is a change in vaginal bacteria, but it is not an STI. As a rule, vaginal odor on its own is not a sign of an STI, but if it comes along with soreness, itchiness, abnormal discharge, or other signs it may require further attention.
- Douching Maintains Vaginal pH—quite the opposite! Douching is the process of water-soap or vinegar-soap into the vagina to clean it and get rid of the odor. These mixtures contain fragrances that upset the natural balance inside the vagina. Douching can disturb your vaginal pH balance and can lead to inflammation.
- Underwear Choice Doesn’t Matter—but it does. The most gentle and natural fabric for your skin is cotton. It is breathable and absorbs moisture easily, thus helping absorb vaginal discharge without trapping extra moisture. Synthetic underwear can cause redness and chafing, which may then lead to other conditions such as yeast infections.
Despite the marketing many products engage in to convince you that they are good for you, remember to check the ingredients. You do not need to risk irritating your vagina with harsh soaps, or oil-based lubes, or vaginal sprays that contain harmful chemicals. Remember that your vagina is like a self-cleaning oven, and it needs very little external products for its maintenance.
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