In many instances, we have heard about the steps and tips on healthy skin, healthy hair, healthy weight loss, among others but have you heard about healthy vulva?
Many women have been taught on how to do daily cleansing using strong soaps or even feminine hygienic sprays which in reality may cause more harm than good. It is important that every woman gets to know how to keep the vulva clean, exercise it, adopt healthy habits and even what to do in case it is infected. Below are some of the steps that can help you have a healthy vulva.
Keeping the vulva clean
There are many ways in which you can keep your vulva clean and they include; good hygiene during your periods, washing only with hot water, wiping from front to back and avoiding use of sprays. Below is a brief discussion of each of these steps.
1. Good hygiene during periods
During menstruation, an increased rate of vaginal infection is often experienced by many women. This is due to the changes in the vaginal pH that result from the blood in the vagina throwing things out of balance. Some of the healthy habits that every woman should practice during their periods include;
- Avoid wearing panty liners or pads longer than it is necessary. This is because use of pads for a longer time (e.g. for a whole month) after the period is over may result in skin irritation.
- Changing your tampons frequently. Note that tampons absorb the menstrual blood and if unchanged for a long time, they will keep the blood in the vagina and that may result in changes of vaginal pH. To avoid this, you need to change your tampons frequently.
- Get a menstrual cup (especially if you tend to get irritated by pads and tampons).This is because they are free from chemicals and they are simply inserted to the vagina to catch the blood and then rinsed after every few hours with hot water.
2. Washing with hot water
The best way to clean your vulva is by using hot water and not soaps (whether liquid or solid). Note that, in its own, the vulva actually stays clean without the help of outside cleaning agents and most importantly, its pH levels should be maintained within a specific range i.e. 3.5 & 4.5. This helps to facilitate the growth of good bacteria as well as prevent the growth unhealthy bacteria from growing. Harsh cleansing materials may upset the balance and this may result in irritation, infection or even bad odours. You can clean the vulva (the skin outside the vagina) with soap unless it
irritates your skin. In case you end up cleaning the vulva with soaps, thoroughly rinse it with warm water to make sure that no traces of soaps are left inside so as to avoid causing irritation.
3. Wiping from front to back
Wiping from front to back is important as it ensures that no faecal matter that could otherwise cause an infection enters the vagina. Avoid using wet wipes or any other perfumed product or those with chemicals. Instead, use an unscented, plain tissue paper to be safe.
4. Avoid using feminine sprays or douches
Some women often douche their vaginas with chemicals with the idea of having it smell like a flower but this always has an opposite effect. Washing out all the necessary bacteria (that which helps the vagina stay clean and free from infection) and leaving the chemicals behind (from the douches or the feminine sprays) may only result in burning and irritation. There is no need to try to make the vagina smell differently if you keep it healthy.
Adopt healthy lifestyle habits
1. Wearing cotton underwear
Cotton underwears not only dry quickly but they also allow free flow of air through the fabric thus preventing the development of damp conditions that could otherwise promote growth of unhealthy bacteria and yeast that may cause infection. Unlike cotton underwears, those made from lace, silk, synthetic fabrics or other materials does not breathe as well.
If you do not like wearing cotton underwears, make sure that the part of the underwear touching your vagina has a cotton liner. If you are prone to vaginal infections, pick the underwears made from undyed, organic cotton that has no chemical treatment.
2. Wearing loose fitting clothes
Always try to wear loose, light fabrics that are free and especially dresses and skirts and instead of those that pull up around the waist go for the thigh highs tights. For shorts, opt for those that are looser. Remember that, skinny jeans, stretch pants and other tight clothes trap most of the moisture against your skin preventing airflow and this may lead to yeast infections.
3. Changing out of wet clothes
Avoid wearing wet workout clothes or even a wet bathing suit for a long time as this makes you prone to yeast infection. Always change into clean, dry underwears immediately after taking a shower or after workout or swimming. It is advisable to keep an extra pair with you just in case you unexpectedly need a fresh pair.
4. Washing after sex
During an intercourse, you may expose yourself to bacteria or other microscopic substances that may irritate your vagina or even cause an infection. To avoid this, wash your vagina after sex with hot water as this will help to minimise any chances of infection. It is also advisable to ask your partner to wash before sex especially if you are having unprotected sex. If you are prone to getting infections, you can wash other body parts or even take a shower before sex with your partner.
5. Peeing after sex
Peeing after sex even if you are going to wash your vagina is essential as this can help prevent any unwanted bacteria from travelling up the urethra connected to the bladder. Doing this will help in flushing out bacteria thus enhancing the general health of your vagina.
6. Good grooming habits
Long pubic hair enhances the growth of bacteria by creating the warm, moist environment for them thus increasing the chances of an infection. To avoid this, always keep your pubic hair short (not necessarily bare – unless you want to) by trimming it carefully with small scissors to a shorter length and this will also make it easier to clean and dry.
When shaving the area around the vagina, do it cautiously to avoid cutting yourself and if using shaving creams, do not let any of it get inside your vagina. If you choose to wax, choose a reputable waxing salon that use clean wax and products to avoid bacterial infections.
Exercising
1. Kegel exercises
Doing kegel exercises helps to strengthen not only the pelvic floor muscles but also the pubococcygeus muscles which often get looser and weaker after giving birth and also with age. With this type of exercise, you will strengthen them and as a result avoid issues such as urinary incontinence aside from increasing your sexual pleasure. This type of exercise is done by;
2. Exploring other ways of exercising the vagina
The vagina can also be strengthened with sexual activity and pleasure because the sexual activity helps to keep it toned and elastic. Regular intercourse will help keep your vagina in good shape and during the activity, concentrate on tightening and releasing the vagina as much as possible and this will help exercise it.
- Locating the pelvic floor muscle which is achieved by pretending that you stop to urinate in midstream. The muscles that you use to stop are the same muscles you are targeting.
- This is followed by tightening your muscles and holding it for 3 seconds and then releasing it (this should be repeated 15 times).
- Do this exercises daily and with time, you can hold for longer time and at the same time repeat it more times because you have gained control.
Infections and other ailments
1. Over the counter remedies (for yeast infection)
Yeast infection is often experienced by many women every now and then and with the help of over the counter suppositories and antifungal creams, this can easily be solved. Such treatments are always in doses and are always taken for a period of time (1, 3, 5, or even 7 days) depending on the severity of the infection. Others also come with anti-itch creams that
are used to help with the itching or burning around the vulva region.
It is however advisable that you see a doctor if you are not sure that what you are suffering from is yeast infection. Symptoms of yeast infection include itching & burning in the vaginal area, curd-like yellowish discharge with bad smell, soreness or burning or even any rash on the vulva.
If the infection does not go away after one week, it is advisable to have an appointment with the doctor to get the correct medication for the problem.
2. Seeking a doctor’s help for treatment of vaginitis
Yeast infections, parasites, or even bacterial infection may cause vaginitis. This is often characterised by itching & burning, discharge with fish-like odour as well as a rash around the vulva. Although over the counter creams are available for this condition, it is important to see a doctor so as to check its cause and as a result get the correct prescription.
In case you experience any irregular vaginal bleeding (small amount of blood) especially between periods, or you are bleeding for a long time (weeks) or even soaking a pad in less than an hour, it could be a serious issue and that is why it is very essential that you see a doctor.
3. Regular STDs tests
HPV, genital warts, Chlamydia, etc are some of the sexually transmitted diseases and if left untreated, they may cause long term damage. When you have unprotected sex and have a feeling that you may be infected with STD, have an appointment with a doctor so as to confirm and if that is the case start the treatment immediately.
4. Consult a doctor in case of anything unusual
It is important that every woman becomes familiar with the way her vagina looks and feel as this will help you notice in case anything changes. Knowing how your vagina looks, feels or even smells (everyone is different) will help you notice anything unusual (e.g. any change of colour, any bumps or warts, smelly discharge or even any pain) and if this happens, see a doctor immediately. The doctor will examine you and give you the necessary treatment and this helps to make sure the health of your vagina.
TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
- Take a bath on a regular basis with a lot of water and most especially during your periods (At least twice i.e. when you wake up and also before going to bed).
- Drink plenty of water to keep your body dehydrated and this also helps to flush out toxins.
- It is advisable that both you and your partner get tested for STDs so that if you are infected, you both get the treatment to avoid being infected again if one partner is not treated.
- In case your vagina is not healthy, avoid having sex.
- Follow the above steps with a mature mind knowing that having a healthy vagina is part of the general hygienic regime.
