Even in this day and age where women maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives, intimate hygiene is still a taboo subject. It is crucial for women and teenagers to be educated on the importance of keeping their intimate areas clean and infection-free. Improper care of the vagina can cause infections like “vulvovaginitis,” a bacterial infection.
Did you know that the vagina is self-cleaning?
Yes, the vagina can clean itself naturally by making mucous and washing away the blood, semen, and vaginal discharge. This prevents the growth of any bad bacteria that can cause infection. Although the vagina is self-cleansing, using harsh cleansers or regular body washes might irritate the area, leading to itching, dryness, rashes, razor bumps, etc.
Treat it the Kind way.
A few tips should be followed along with regular care and a daily shower routine to keep the intimate area clean, fresh, and infection-free.
1. Keep it clean
Using a regular soap or a fancy body wash may be ideal for the rest of your body, but not your privates. These products may be designed to give you enhanced bathing experiences, but having sensitive skin can result in dryness, ich, or a shift in the pH levels of the intimate area. Also, over-cleaning might irritate sensitive skin, so using intimate washes with natural sources and a balanced pH level (3.5- 4.5) can be the way to go. Consult a doctor before using intimate washes, wipes, sprays, etc.
2. Comfort over everything
We know the urge to buy and wear that cute satin underwear for fashion, but it might not help you in this hot weather. Materials like cotton are considered ideal since they keep us cool and dry. Cotton as a breathable fabric lessens the chances of infections and unhealthy bacteria growth. Changing frequently in and out of clothes is a trend, especially in summer when clothes get all sweaty and smelly. But your underwear needs more regular changing than the rest of your clothes. Sweaty clothes, especially close to your vagina, can invite infections.
3. Eating Healthy
Your body is a reflection of what you put in it. The functioning of your intimates also depends on what you eat. Unhealthy meals can also disrupt the self-cleaning cycle of your vagina. Drinking enough water and eating healthy helps in regular functioning and reduces infection risk. Nutritious meals, which include citrus foods like oranges, and lemons with a side of green veggies, can help keep the intimates healthy.
4. Public Restrooms
Public restrooms are used by countless people every day, so it is hard to find Monica clean all the time. So, we should always be aware of that fact while going to the loo. Portable disinfectants can be used to ensure proper hygiene and avoid any potential infections.
5. That time of the month
We all wish to feel clean, fresh, and above all, odourless during our periods. It is essential to regularly change our pads and tampons within a strict period of four to five hours. Do not use scented products to feel fresh as they can prevent or interrupt the reproductive tracts from cleaning the vaginal area on their own and potentially irritate the skin. Also, cleaning the vagina from the inside can increase the chances of cervical cancer. So, warm water and a mild soap or a doctor-recommended intimate wash are sufficient to feel fresh.
Just as regular check-ups your body might need, it is crucial to be aware of the changes your body might be going through, physically and internally (hormonal changes), which lead to changes in the menstrual cycle and or vaginal discharge. In such cases, it is crucial to consult the doctor. Intimate hygiene is an important subject that everyone should discuss and introduce. It is important to make it a part of our daily hygiene routine and follow it religiously. Although the availability of certain intimate care products in the market has made it easy to follow up with the intimate hygiene routine, it is important to consult a doctor before using any new products.