There are plenty of topics that women prefer not to speak about, including feminine hygiene. Sure, there are ads on TV, in magazines, and online that promote feminine hygiene products, but if we are being realistic, very few women ask their friends what brand of douche or tampons they use. To further broaden the subject, feminine hygiene encompasses different areas.
Some subjects are too personal to discuss openly unless you feel extremely comfortable with someone. Asking older relatives who might be out of touch with newer products available today is also not the best option. Plus, actions they might have taken years ago may have been proven unhealthy.
What is feminine hygiene?
It describes the maintenance and routine care of a woman’s genital areas.
A woman’s genital area has many creases and folds where sweat and bacteria can gather and grow if not properly cleaned. Just as you wash your hands to prevent germs from forming, you must always keep your private areas well taken care of.
Women tend to have two primary areas of concern here: smell and discharge. Do you wonder if your smell is normal? Does it change depending on where you are at in your monthly cycle? The timing of the month can also change the scent based on the type of discharge.
Here is the good news – it is normal to have discharge at various times of the month, and it is normal to have a particular odor. You will also be pleased to know that your mouth has more bacteria than your vagina.
Your diet, clothing, and hydration affect your vagina’s smell. With all these factors in play, knowing how to practice good hygiene is crucial.
What Are the Differences Between Feminine and Usual Hygiene?
Feminine hygiene is caring for your genital area, although it could be seen as a marketing tactic to convince you that your vagina is not clean unless you purchase certain products. Usual hygiene encompasses your daily cleaning routine for the rest of your body. So naturally, since you buy shampoo, soap, and toothpaste, you should also buy special cleaning products for your vagina – right?
Wrong!
As we delve into this subject, you will learn what you should and should not do to help keep your vaginal area clean.
No matter your gender, all parts of your body need daily attention. You may not shampoo your hair every day, but that does not mean you do not care for it. The same applies to all areas of your skin.
Hygiene of any type requires good habits from the inside and outside, beginning with what you put into your body. Good nutrition will help keep you looking and feeling healthier than a diet of junk food.
The next thing to consider is how you cover your vaginal area. While sexy thongs, G-strings, and lace panties might be fashionable, they are the worst thing you can wear to cover your vagina. The first two help spread bacteria from your rectum to your vagina, and they cut into the skin, potentially causing irritation. White cotton panties are the best – and healthiest – underwear for women. If you are thinking about wearing nothing at all – leave that for bedtime.
Symptoms of Bad Hygiene
Your vagina is equipped to self-clean itself with very little help from you. However, the vulva needs routine attention, as discussed in the next section.
The first thing to know is how to tell if something is wrong and you have an unhealthy vagina. Ignoring this part of your body, poor underwear choices (as previously mentioned), and not feeding your body healthy food can take a toll on your vaginal area. You can avoid unwanted odors, infections, and other problems by preventing germs and bacterial buildup in this area.
Here are the five most common symptoms of bad vaginal hygiene:
- Vaginal odor
Every woman’s vagina has a specific smell, which might change slightly throughout the menstrual cycle. However, a foul smell could be a sign of an infection or imbalance in the PH level of the vagina. Unless there are other signs of an infection, such as those mentioned below, try drinking more water to flush the vagina, shower, and clean the area daily. If the smell does not go away, contact your gynecologist.
- Skin irritation
Itching and redness are signs of a problem – often an allergic reaction to body wash, soap, laundry detergent, or other personal care items. Other causes of skin irritation are sexually transmitted or yeast infections. See your gynecologist for treatment if you believe an infection is the cause.
Skin irritation can also come from excessive dryness. Some symptoms like vaginal dryness and low libido can be signs of a hormonal problem, such as HGH deficiency. For proper hormone deficiency treatment, consult a hormone doctor and choose from the best HGH injections in 2023.
- Vulvovaginitis
Inflammation in the vulva and vagina can occur at any age, even in children. It is a bacterial infection often caused by yeast. Parasites, viruses, chemical irritants, allergens, and sexually transmitted infections can cause bacteria to multiply. Tight clothing that rubs the skin can also increase the risk of vulvovaginitis. Have this condition checked by your gynecologist.
- Burning sensation
It is not normal to feel a burning sensation (although there may be some discomfort after a night of extensive sexual intercourse). A burning sensation, which a gynecologist should check, may indicate numerous issues, including:
- Yeast infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Dehydration
- Sexually transmitted infection
- Bacterial infection
- Excess vaginal discharge
A milky discharge is normal for women and does not produce a foul odor. You will likely notice an increase in your discharge around the time you are ovulating. However, continual excessive, discolored (green, grey, dark yellow, or brown), or odorous discharge might indicate a yeast infection, infertility, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Contact a gynecologist if your discharge changes.
What to Do to Prevent Poor Hygiene-Related Symptoms
Caring for your vaginal area does not require much effort. Prevention is much easier than treating a problem, less embarrassing, and less expensive. You do not have to worry about doctor bills or medication costs if you practice a few simple steps daily.
- Keep your underwear dry
Along with wearing only cotton and not synthetic underwear, put on a clean pair of underwear every day. If you sweat and the panties become damp, change them. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria. Satin underwear retains moisture, reducing airflow and creating friction and irritation. Change out of wet bathing suits and workout attire as soon as possible.
- Follow the rules of safe sex
Condoms, while crucial to protect against some infections and pregnancy, cannot prevent everything. Some STDs are spread by skin-to-skin contact that does not involve penetration. You and your partner should be tested before the first time and again regularly to avoid problems. Avoid using glycerin-containing lubricants that can irritate and damage the vaginal cells. Wash your genital area well after sex – and be sure to urinate.
- Learn the right way to wipe
Always wipe front to back after urination. Drip-dry does not work for women, as not wiping after urinating can increase the risk of vaginal infections. Use separate toilet paper to wipe the rectal area after a bowel movement. Wipe with fresh toilet paper until there is no sign of residue.
- Change sanitary pads, pantyliners, and tampons regularly
A wet pad or pantyliner can lead to bacterial growth. Change them regularly, typically within 3 – 4 hours. Tampons left in longer than recommended by the manufacturer can cause other problems – the maximum is typically six hours.
- Pay attention to your body signals
When you know how your body smells, how it feels, and what your typical discharge is like, you will know when changes occur. Getting help sooner than later is the right thing to do.
- Use special feminine washes – only if necessary
Check the ingredients to ensure there are no fragrances or dangerous chemicals. Products should be pH-balanced, gentle, and fragrance-free. You do not need special cleansers for your vulva. Warm water and gentle, unscented soap is fine. There is no need to cleanse inside the vagina, especially with soap.
- See your gynecologist annually
A yearly checkup, including a Pap smear, can help you maintain proper sexual and reproductive health.
What You Should Not Do
Never ignore any warning signs that might be present – such as changes in odor, discharge, or how the vaginal area feels. Ignoring a problem can only cause it to get worse. Here are some other things to avoid doing:
- Do not use scented feminine hygiene products
Scented wipes, scrubs, soaps, and deodorants can increase the risk of vaginal infections.
Do not use talcum powder, which can lead to vaginal dryness and itchiness and increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Do not self-treat
The internet is full of ways to self-treat, and you could ask a pharmacist you trust what to do for an itchy vagina. However, because of many possible causes, treating it the wrong way could cause further problems. It is always best to contact a doctor if there are concerns.
- Do not try douching and steaming
Flushing the vagina with douching solutions such as water, vinegar, or store-bought preparations does more harm than good by removing healthy bacteria that protect the vagina. Even the gentlest products can irritate the vaginal lining. The vagina uses its natural discharge to rid itself of bacteria and germs.
Steaming, which is a process that involves situating your vagina over hot water infused with herbs, can lead to infections and burns.
- Do not shave pubic hair
Pubic hair is the vagina’s and vulva’s natural protector against bacteria. Shaving can also cause cuts, nicks, and injuries, increasing the risk of infections.
- Do not wear tight-fitting clothes
We already mentioned the importance of wearing cotton underwear. It is also crucial to avoid shorts, pants, and jeans that are too tight in the crotch, which can reduce air circulation, rub against the vulva, and cause irritation.
Conclusion
Taking proper care and practicing good hygiene is all you need to do to keep your vagina and vulva in excellent shape. Starting good hygiene early in life (childhood) is essential. Share these tips with your friends and family to help spread the word that hygiene is crucial.
Do not let advertisers tell you to purchase special “feminine hygiene” products to keep your private areas healthy. Save the money and follow the tips provided here instead.
