Basic Feminine Hygiene Guidelines

Taking care of our intimate area isn’t rocket science – all it takes is a little love& education which are  important when it comes to feminine hygiene.

Maintaining feminine hygiene is very important to your overall health because in addition to preventing odors, itching, and irritation, practicing feminine hygiene can prevent bacterial infections from occurring as well. In some cases, bacterial infections may lead to sterility, disease, cancer, and other health problems. Everyone's vagina, even healthy ones, have their own special scent.

According to doctors the vagina has particular smells, which vary from person to person, influenced by your clothing's material, your menstrual cycle, your diet and how much you're hydrated.

You likely learned about your body from an array of sources—school, the Internet, your mom- though, some feminine hygiene skills were never taught to you or have evolved over time. Keep on reading for some helpful tips.

Also read:-    Feminine Hygiene Products

1. Keep the vagina clean and dry

·     The best way to clean the outer part of the genitals (the vulva) is with warm water and a gentle unscented soap (preferably pH-neutral) while bathing or showering.

·     The vulva should be washed at least once a day. If you do not wish to take a shower you could use a bidet. During your period you should wash as often or even more often than at other times.

·     To clean the vulva, you should stand with your legs apart and place the soap directly onto your hand (do not use gloves or a sponge). Make sure to wash the labia and all the folds of the vulva. Then rinse with plenty of water (to get rid of any soap residue) and dry well (to prevent dampness).

·     Rinse your vaginal region with fresh water after washing with soap and then dry off immediately.

·     Use soft, white colored, unscented toilet paper that does not contain dyes or other irritating chemicals.

·     Wipe your genital area thoroughly after urination. This will help keep your vaginal area dry and clean throughout the day.

·     Wipe yourself from front to back after experiencing a bowel movement to prevent fecal matter from coming into contact with your vagina, which can cause a bacterial infection.

·     The anal area should be cleaned in the same way as the vulva, but always front to back to avoid contaminating the vulva or vagina with bacteria from the intestines.

·     Another very important feminine hygiene tip is that, in addition to washing, protection is also important as well. Pantyliner can help you feel clean. As their name suggests, pantyliners protect your panties.

·     You should also change out of sweaty workout clothing or wet swimsuits . Wet or sweaty panties and pants can cause bacteria to multiply and increase your likelihood for getting odors and infections.

·     Take a shower and wear fresh, clean clothing after you have gone swimming or performed exercise.

2. Let’s wear cotton underwear

·     Wear loose, breathable, bottom clothing. Cotton is breathable, making it an ideal fabric selection for underwear. It can down on moisture as it keeps your skin cool, dry and fresh..

·     With breathable fabrics like cotton, you have a reduced risk of bacterial growth and infections. On the flip side, Tight pants, shorts, or panties made from synthetic fabrics or satin retain moisture. That reduces airflow, creating irritation and friction. And that encourages yeast and bacteria growth, which can lead to odors & infections..

·     These should be changed at least once a day or more often (if you sweat a lot) whichever makes you feel more comfortable.

·     Wear thigh-highs, or pantyhose that are made with a cotton crotch to reduce the vaginal sweating caused by nylon and other synthetic fabrics.

3. Try not to douche

·     The vagina normally cleans itself and naturally produces cleansing discharge (vaginal discharge)  that helps get rid of dead cells, germs and bacteria from your body.

·     It is not necessary or advisable to clean inside the genitals (the vagina). So, douching or using harsh cleansers or soaps can disrupt your natural pH balance and can irritate your vagina and wash away good bacteria. Plus, douching will only mask the odor—not cure what's going on.

·     If you have been douching, you may not have noticed any changes to your intimate area, but it can cause yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. How? Well, while this practice flushes out the good bacteria, it also helps bad bacteria to grow.

·     If you douche when you already have a bacterial infection, you could cause an infection as the spraying process can encourage the bacteria to move into the reproductive organs.

·     If your vagina smells like something rotting (such as rotten fish), you may have bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal infection. Stick with luke warm water and mild soap on the vulva, Dr. Dweck says. "You don't need to clean the inside of the vagina,"

·     Vaginal douching is not recommended unless advised by a doctor.

4. Less of the generic shower gels and more of the pH balance wash

·     The vagina is self-cleansing so to maintain the vagina’s natural pH balance we could just wash our vaginal area daily with mild soap and warm water.

·     Mild soap will help prevent your vaginal region from becoming irritated or infected due to exposure from harsh chemicals found in antibacterial or astringent soaps or cleansers.

·     However, most of us feel cleaner and fresher when we use a shower gel to wash our intimate area. But let’s remember it might affect our pH balance and could create irritation or infection. So one way to ensure our area is delicately being cared for is to use specially designed intimate wash or wipes (if on the go).

·     Although pharmacies sell a vast array of feminine intimate hygiene products, most of these are unnecessary, except specific pH-neutral soaps or cleansers. Some products are even harmful as they can cause allergies and irritation. While certain products can be used occasionally, odour-neutralising sanitary towels should never be used and aerosol deodorants should not be used around the vulva. It is also good to keep in mind that deodorants and other products should be used in addition to and not instead of feminine intimate hygiene.

5. Stay clean during period

·  Change sanitary napkins, tampons, and pantyliners frequently during your period. When these menstrual products become soiled and are worn for long periods of time, they can cause you to experience foul odors and increase the risk of infection.

·     Use menstrual products that do not contain fragrance or dyes, as these products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

·   For small bladder leakage, you may consider trying our light pantyliner. To be effective panty liners should be changed as often as necessary (depending on the absorbency). You do not have to use them if they cause itchiness or irritation. Some women feel very comfortable with them, others do not. It is a personal choice.

6. Practice safe sex & clean your intimate area after intercourse

·     According to doctors consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of any sexually transmitted diseases that are transmitted by genital fluids such a gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.

·     It’s important to clean your vaginal area after sexual intercourse to avoid infections and bacteria.  Bodily fluids and residue from condoms and other intimate products can cause infection,itchiness, irritation, and odors if not removed from your vaginal region following intercourse.

·     Studies show that using a condom is better for our lady parts’ hygiene, as it helps to ensure that the pH remains consistent, but if we do go without, a good clean afterwards will help keep us healthy and comfortable down below.

7. Eat right

·     Maintaining a balanced diet high in nutrition can do your body and your vagina good.

·  Foods like yogurt, sweet potato, garlic, almond, pumpkin seed, flax seed etc help promote vaginal health.

·     Drink 3-4 liters water a day to stay away from urinary tract infection

·     A diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, whole wheat flour such as brown rice will help prevent your body and vagina from experiencing infections or ailments.

8. Use fresh towels

Wash, dry and replace towel and washcloths after you use them. Reusing towels isn't wgood because bacteria can cling to these surfaces. And that potentially puts you at risk for an infection.