Everyone seems to be talking about vaginas these days, from celebrities and gossip columnists to writers and grammar lovers and everyone in between. It’s becoming more difficult to sift through the dos and don’ts of having a vagina. As a sex educator, one thing I’m a stickler for is language. You’d be surprised how many people — of any gender — use the terms “vulva” and “vagina” interchangeably. They’re two very different things and it pays to know the difference.
So before we go into habits, let’s get a few facts straight.
1. Don’t douche
I hate to break it to you because you may enjoy smelling “summery fresh,” but douching is actually harmful to the vagina. So, how do you keep it clean?
Luckily, vaginas are amazing organs. Not only do they help bring life into this world (as if that wasn’t enough), but they also do a great job keeping themselves clean. They do this by balancing healthy bacteria and pH levels on their own. No douching needed.
So before we go into habits, let’s get a few facts straight.
1. Don’t douche
I hate to break it to you because you may enjoy smelling “summery fresh,” but douching is actually harmful to the vagina. So, how do you keep it clean?
Luckily, vaginas are amazing organs. Not only do they help bring life into this world (as if that wasn’t enough), but they also do a great job keeping themselves clean. They do this by balancing healthy bacteria and pH levels on their own. No douching needed.
Normally, vaginal pH is about 3.8 to 4.5, but douching interfere with the vagina's pH levels, reducing acidity and disrupting a healthy vaginal biome — the bacterial makeup of your vagina — and setting the stage for bacterial infections.
Douching actually eliminates some of that healthy bacteria, which changes the pH and makes you more susceptible to infections.
Try this: If you still want to clean your vagina and vulva, make sure to use non-scented products and only wash the labia majora.
2. Keep the pubes
It’s okay to do a bit of trimming or removing hair along your swimsuit line. No one says it needs to be unruly — although you should rock it however you want! — but please, do keep your pubic hair.
Pubic hair serves many purposes. It protects your downstairs from extra bacteria, and it also eliminates issues related to friction and sweating. Less hair removal also means less itch as the hair grows back, fewer cuts and scrapes, and fewer ingrown hairs.
Try this: If you must shave or landscape your pubic hair, try to use natural shaving gels and creams.
3. Check your lube ingredients
Lubrication is amazing. It can take sex to the next level for everyone involved. Still, there are some ingredients that aren’t very healthy for your body.
Glycerin, for one, is related to sugar. While it works great to keep lubes moist, it can also contribute to bacteria growth in the vagina. Petroleum products are also no-nos because they can ruin the vagina’s natural pH level. Other things you may want to avoid include:
parabens
scents
flavors
nonnatural oils
dyes
Try this: Personal lubricant that can be used for massage as well. It’s made of silicone and maintains a great silky and smooth feel throughout play.
4.Practice safer sex
One of the best and easiest things you can do for vaginal health is practice safer sex. Here are a few tips to staying safe:
Use protection. That could be a condom, dental dam, or gloves. It’s not rocket science, and you already know you should, so just do it.
Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should get tested after any partners you exchange genital fluids with.
Mind the order of your sex acts. Going from butt play to vaginal play can increase the likelihood that you’ll get an infection, such as those painful urinary tract infections (UTIs). If anal is your thing, make sure you do it after vaginal sex, not before.
Make sure you check condom ingredients. There are a ton of brands that are made with spermicides. Spermicides aren’t very healthy for the vagina, as they can kill good bacteria in there, too. Use other forms of birth control if available to make for a happier, healthier vagina.
5. Pee after sex
Peeing after sex can help reduce the likelihood of UTIs. Plus, it helps you get in some discrete clean-up time.
6.Wear breathable clothing
Breathable clothing and fabrics make happy vaginas. Cotton underwear is great. It has moisture-wicking properties to limit the amount of wetness that can promote bacterial growth. Changing out of wet clothing quickly can help limit issues, as well. Regardless of the kind of underwear you like, just make sure to change it daily.
7. Practice Sleep naked
Regardless of what underwear you wear during the day, going without them overnight can help your vagina breathe. The benefits don’t stop there, though.
Douching actually eliminates some of that healthy bacteria, which changes the pH and makes you more susceptible to infections.
Try this: If you still want to clean your vagina and vulva, make sure to use non-scented products and only wash the labia majora.
2. Keep the pubes
It’s okay to do a bit of trimming or removing hair along your swimsuit line. No one says it needs to be unruly — although you should rock it however you want! — but please, do keep your pubic hair.
Pubic hair serves many purposes. It protects your downstairs from extra bacteria, and it also eliminates issues related to friction and sweating. Less hair removal also means less itch as the hair grows back, fewer cuts and scrapes, and fewer ingrown hairs.
Try this: If you must shave or landscape your pubic hair, try to use natural shaving gels and creams.
3. Check your lube ingredients
Lubrication is amazing. It can take sex to the next level for everyone involved. Still, there are some ingredients that aren’t very healthy for your body.
Glycerin, for one, is related to sugar. While it works great to keep lubes moist, it can also contribute to bacteria growth in the vagina. Petroleum products are also no-nos because they can ruin the vagina’s natural pH level. Other things you may want to avoid include:
parabens
scents
flavors
nonnatural oils
dyes
Try this: Personal lubricant that can be used for massage as well. It’s made of silicone and maintains a great silky and smooth feel throughout play.
4.Practice safer sex
One of the best and easiest things you can do for vaginal health is practice safer sex. Here are a few tips to staying safe:
Use protection. That could be a condom, dental dam, or gloves. It’s not rocket science, and you already know you should, so just do it.
Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should get tested after any partners you exchange genital fluids with.
Mind the order of your sex acts. Going from butt play to vaginal play can increase the likelihood that you’ll get an infection, such as those painful urinary tract infections (UTIs). If anal is your thing, make sure you do it after vaginal sex, not before.
Make sure you check condom ingredients. There are a ton of brands that are made with spermicides. Spermicides aren’t very healthy for the vagina, as they can kill good bacteria in there, too. Use other forms of birth control if available to make for a happier, healthier vagina.
5. Pee after sex
Peeing after sex can help reduce the likelihood of UTIs. Plus, it helps you get in some discrete clean-up time.
6.Wear breathable clothing
Breathable clothing and fabrics make happy vaginas. Cotton underwear is great. It has moisture-wicking properties to limit the amount of wetness that can promote bacterial growth. Changing out of wet clothing quickly can help limit issues, as well. Regardless of the kind of underwear you like, just make sure to change it daily.
7. Practice Sleep naked
Regardless of what underwear you wear during the day, going without them overnight can help your vagina breathe. The benefits don’t stop there, though.
8.Treat Infections When They Arise
Three types of vaginal infections are common: yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. If you’re prone to yeast infections and you recognize the symptoms, it’s “okay to self-treat with an over-the-counter” medication, says Millheiser. “But if the symptoms don’t go away, then you need to be seen as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that women who have poorly controlled diabetes or are infected with HIV can often experience recurrent yeast infections. “If you’re experiencing many yeast infections during the course of a year, you should be evaluated by your doctor to make sure that there’s nothing more worrisome going on,” says Millheiser.
Three types of vaginal infections are common: yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. If you’re prone to yeast infections and you recognize the symptoms, it’s “okay to self-treat with an over-the-counter” medication, says Millheiser. “But if the symptoms don’t go away, then you need to be seen as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that women who have poorly controlled diabetes or are infected with HIV can often experience recurrent yeast infections. “If you’re experiencing many yeast infections during the course of a year, you should be evaluated by your doctor to make sure that there’s nothing more worrisome going on,” says Millheiser.
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