Vaginal Hygiene Tips

There are tons of feminine hygiene products on the market today. Advertisers are
constantly telling women they should douche, spray feminine deodorant around
the vagina and how they can benefit from their products.
But, the vagina is easy to keep clean without purchasing a myriad of hygiene
products. Vaginal hygiene techniques are mostly common sense, but many would
rather try high-priced products than rely on simple, yet more effective forms of
hygiene. Some tips include:
 Vaginal Self-cleansing – You may not know that the natural discharge
secreted from your vagina is a natural cleansing agent that helps to protect
you against infections.
If you wash the vagina excessively, douche or use perfumed or chemical-
laden soaps or cleansers, you’ll destroy the protective shield of the vagina
and may experience pain and odor.
To keep the vagina clean, rinse the external area around the vagina with
warm water and mild soap.
 Dealing With Odor – Every woman’s vagina has its own natural smell that’s
healthy and natural. If you notice a strong scent or fish smell emitting from
the vagina, you may have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis.
Most doctors will prescribe antibiotics for this condition, but there are also
natural ways to overcome most infections and restore the vagina’s delicate
pH balance, which is usually a major contributor.
 Hygiene During the Menstrual Cycle – The vagina has its own natural way of
cleaning itself after the menstrual period, but some women feel they need
to douche to feel cleaner.
Many times, douching pushes bacteria and other toxins into the
reproductive tract and causes pelvic inflammatory disease – a very painful

condition. Pads and tampons that are scented may also lead to infections,
so always use unscented products.
 Wear Proper Clothing – The moist, dark area of the vagina must have air
flow to prevent infections and other conditions. If there is no air flow, fungi
and bacteria may form and multiply within the folds of skin.
Wear cotton undergarments or at least purchase those that have cotton
crotch linings. Leather pants and synthetic spandex keep the vagina area
from getting enough air flow – and wet bathing suits shouldn’t be worn for
a long period of time.
 Practice Safe Sex – Bacteria can enter the vagina during sex and cause many
serious conditions such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes and
genital warts – and HIV.
Protect your vagina from contracting these debilitating infections by using
condoms when you have sex. Some of these infections and diseases may
contribute to incidences of sterility, cancer and other problems.
 Cleanse After Urinating – Be sure to properly clean the area around the
vagina after urinating. The acid contained in urine can cause irritation that
might lead to other problems such as infections and discomfort.
Maintain a regimen of feminine hygiene to enhance your overall health and
prevent infections, odors, itching and other discomforts that could arise.