When you talk about taking good care of your body, you don't always think about your vagina. But you should - because if you're good to your lady bits, they'll be good to you. Practicing good vaginal health means fewer yeast infections and UTIs and, ultimately, better sex. So, here are a few expert tips on keeping everything healthy and happy down there.
Go for whole body health
Eat right, control your weight and exercise. Not only is this good for your whole body; it’s good for your sexual organs too. Conversely, chronic conditions can put women at risk. For example, poorly controlled diabetes increases a woman’s likelihood of contracting yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Get regular screenings
Stay current with health screenings and see your gynaecologist for routine care. Remember that screening intervals for pap smears change based upon your age and Pap smear findings. For young women, HPV vaccination is especially important for reducing cervical cancer risk.
Use condoms
It’s so important to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Insist on using condoms with any new sexual partner.
Just use water
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ. Using harsh chemicals, pre-packaged wipes or douching can disrupt its normal process. If you must, a gentle soap is OK for the external genitalia. Most products marketed to help women feel or smell cleaner are not backed by any scientific evidence and can lead to other problems. If you have particularly sensitive skin, also watch for soaps, and shampoos you use in the shower. Even laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and some lubricants can cause irritation.
Don’t prep for your gynaecologist
Showering is all we expect and desire.
Consider natural lubricants
Coconut oil or olive oil may be better lubricants and vaginal moisturizers than manufactured products; they’re an option for women who aren’t using condoms.
Never ignore post-menopausal bleeding
If you ever experience bleeding after menopause, see your doctor for an evaluation.
Prolapse and incontinence are usually not dangerous
These conditions only need treatment if they bother you; no need to treat them just because the gynaecologist noted them during an exam. However, if you have trouble emptying your bladder or bowels or have pain or bleeding, it’s time to seek care.
Vaginal oestrogen is safe for most women
Vaginal oestrogen can help prevent or reverse changes that occur with age, such as painful sex (due to thinning vaginal walls and less elasticity) and increased risk for UTIs (due to pH changes as the vagina becomes less acidic).
Don't overuse antibiotics
Unnecessary antibiotic use can significantly reduce vaginal health. That's because antibiotics don't discriminate - they kill off both good and bacteria, which can then change the flora (i.e., the colony of healthy bacteria) in your vagina, causing yeast and other infections to grow.
Don’t douche - or stop ASAP
That whole
"your vagina is a self-cleaning oven"
spiel isn't just a funny phrase - your vagina does clean itself. The vagina already has healthy bacteria that maintain its harmony. Introducing new chemicals to that can disrupt that harmony. Another thing: A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynaecology found that that using intravaginal hygiene products can put you at increased risk of infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and STDs. Just don't do it.
Try to be a little more careful during cycling class
An unexpected place you might be putting your vaginal health at risk is the cycling studio. If you're a frequent rider, you could be at risk for genital numbness, pain, and tingling (not in a good way) while cycling. In fact, a study of female cyclists in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that a majority experienced these symptoms. If you love to hit up cycling studios, try wearing padded shorts and following these form modifications to keep your vagina pain-free during your workout.
Treat sex like wiping - always go from front to back
Don’t go from anal to vaginal sex without changing the condom or properly cleaning off first. Going from backdoor to front exposes your vagina to a host of bacteria and can up your risk of infections, she adds.
Skip the scented soaps for down there
Scented body wash may be awesome, but it doesn't belong anywhere near your genitals. That's because, unlike your skin, your vagina doesn't have an extra protective layer - which means soap and other chemicals can be really drying to that sensitive skin.
Do your Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises aren't just another pointless thing your mom reminds you to do. Doing Kegels helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which then helps reduce strain on your pelvic organs, and improves bladder and bowel function. Oh, and they can make your orgasms stronger, too. Anil recommends doing three sets of 10 Kegels each day, holding each Kegel for five seconds. That's just three minutes of Kegel work - totally doable.
Sleep in your birthday suit
No lie, sleeping naked can be healthy for your vagina. 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. Some research suggests that those cooler temperatures can be great for your health. An easy way to cool down. Get naked. Plus, once you’re in the nude, you might be surprised at how incredibly liberating and empowering it can be.
Good vagina health isn’t a one-step process. But luckily, there are lots of simple and easy things you can do every day to make sure your vagina is well protected and happy.
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