So we all talk about fashion, style, beauty crimes, makeup, skincare, hairstyles, lifestyle choices and many other topics, but we hardly talk about personal feminine topics, like feminine hygiene care. Forgetting that all these other topics mean nothing when there is a major cause of hygiene concern. I can see why many shy away from talking about feminine hygiene both online and offline, but it is still very important, and still needs to be addressed.
At first you’ll think that every woman is aware of basics of feminine hygiene. I mean most of us pay attention to what people can see, so our hair, outfit, makeup is always top notch, but we neglect some of our most important body parts. The prevalence of infection and diseases due to lack of feminine hygiene shows that this is one thing a good number of us don’t know about or do shy away from talking about.
Well I have written up some handy feminine hygiene issues. I hope someone learns a thing or 2:
Cleaning “down there”
The vagina on its own cleans herself. Now that explains the secretions. It makes use of these secretions to clean herself. That is how it protects herself from infection. Just because the vagina can take care of itself when it comes to cleaning doesn’t mean we should not take care of it.
Use water to wash your vagina taking care to remove any possible dirt or debris. If you want to use soap or cleansers, make sure you use a mild soap or a pH-balanced gentle cleanser. Make sure it has the right pH level of about 4.5-5.5 and it contains mild ingredients like lactoserum and lactic acid. Never clean the inside of your vagina. That could ruin its pH level. Although it’s good to clean “down there”, avoid excessive washing and douching and stay clear of harsh cleansers and soaps. This may cause an imbalance in the normal growth of bacteria (yes, some bacteria can be good too) and prevent stripping away the protective barrier of the vagina. This will make the vagina prone to infection.
Avoid Baths. Take more showers
The bath water contains bacteria from the body so sitting in the bath will cause the bacteria ridden water to enter into the vagina. This will increase the possibility of urinary tract infections. Take showers instead. The bacteria from the body flows downwards and does not have the chance to enter your vagina. I love taking baths, but I try not to take them too frequently.
Menstrual care
You need to take extra care during your period. Wear a sanitary pad or tampon but make sure you don’t leave it on for more than 4-6 hours. Change when saturated or uncomfortable. Avoid scented pads or tampons. These will irritate the vagina and cause infections. Do not douche during your period. Douching causes debris to enter your reproductive tract which will lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
Wipe the right way
When you want to wipe after using the bathroom, use soft unscented toilet paper. Ensure your hands are clean. Bacteria on your hands have the chance of going to your genital region. Also, make sure you wipe from front to back. This will ensure that bacteria from your butt does not go to your vagina and cause infection.
Mind the odour
Every woman has a natural scent. The good news is that it’s not detectable on your clothes. Whenever you perceive a fishy scent coming from you, that could be a sign of an infection. Make sure you get it checked out.
Let the air flow
Wear cotton underwear or underwear with cotton lining on the crotch. This allows for a free flow of air. Lack of air causes the area to be moist which promotes the presence of bacteria and growth of fungi. This is the common cause of vaginal yeast infection.
So ladies have these valuable tips in mind. These little changes can make a big difference to your overall well-being.
Do you have any tips to share? Don’t be shy, leave a comment.
