Aisha S. Michika
Believe it or not, it is a kept aside topic that women find it hard to discuss or even come out to say. Vaginal health is extremely important, ignoring it will never solve the problems associated with poor vaginal hygiene. That’s why women encounter lots of complications which affect their fertility and sex drive later in life. It is essential for women to be cautious of their vagina and be conscious of symptoms of vaginal problems.
Below are tips and measures for a healthy Vagina:
Dry Pants
Try as much as possible to make sure that your pants are always dry, wipe the vagina after urinating with a clean cloth or tissue. But it is best when you wash yourself first then you use the dry cloth or tissue to dry your vagina is healthier. If your panties get wet, it leads to bad odour and risk of vaginal infections.
Frequent change of
sanitary pads
According to research, to always be on the safe side to avoid getting infections, women should always change their sanitary pads every 3-4 hours whether a normal or heavy blood flow. Always make sure the area is clean every time you visit a washroom during menstruation. If it takes you time to change your pads, you are putting yourself at risk which is not safe.
Avoid using soap
Avoid using harsh soaps or scented soaps to clean the vagina because most soap is chemical based and is not healthy for the vagina; it changes the PH in the vaginal region. If there is a most need to use soap, a plain soap but preferably lukewarm water which is healthy.
Scented feminine
hygiene products
It is not a good idea to use feminine hygiene products such as scented wipes, vaginal deodorants or scrubs to keep the vagina healthy. In fact, these products can worsen the condition and make you prone to infections. Moreover, using vaginal scrubs can lead to peeling of the skin, which can further up your risk of infections.
Tight clothes
Most experts recommend that you should wear undergarments made from breathable fabrics like cotton. This is because wearing tight clothes and inners made from synthetic fabrics cause sweating due to reduced air circulation. Excessive sweating and moisture can lead to the growth of bacteria and yeast, causing vaginal infection.
Therefore using leather pants, tight spandex, and wet bathing suits for a long period of time can be harmful.
Wipe / Wash
Are you wiping or washing the area down the right way? Well, probably not! The right way to clean the vagina is from front to back (the vagina to the anus) and not the other way round. This is because, if you do the other way, then the chances of dragging the harmful bacteria to the vaginal are high. So if you have been wiping or washing in the wrong direction, then it is time to change and do it the appropriate way.
Shaving of pubic hair
Some women prefer shaving pubic hair as they think the pubic hair looks gross and unclean which is not bad either, but according to research pubic hair acts as a safety net which protects the vulva (outer part of the female genitalia that surrounds the opening of the vagina) from bacterial infections. But if you are uncomfortable leaving your pubic hair, then remove the hair in an appropriate way. Do not use harmful things in doing that.
Signs of vaginal
infections
Is funny how women most times see signs or symptoms of vaginal infections but tend to ignore it. Whether you have a stinky smell or excessive vaginal discharge or coloured vaginal discharge, itchy or pain do consult your doctor immediately please it could be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Self-medication
It is a common thing among women, most times we are reluctant to consult a gynaecologist when it comes to infections or diseases of the genital areas such as ringworm infection, pubic lice infection, vaginal dryness, or itching; rather prefer to do home remedies or using over the counter antifungal or antibacterial ointment or creams is the go-to remedy if home remedies fail to provide any relief. Let me be frank with you, these approaches are completely wrong, you might end up putting yourself in danger. It is best to consult a doctor immediately for all these problems.
It is very Important that every woman should follow these basic feminine hygiene tips to ensure a healthy vagina, to make the difference by passing it on to the younger ones.