The cleanliness of women’s bodies is a topic that is rarely discussed. It has a direct impact on the prevention of infections and diseases. Keep reading and find about 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Feminine Hygiene
The vagina is especially vulnerable to certain infections, so care must be optimal. In this process, understanding why certain things are counterproductive becomes necessary.
Despite the publicity, which forms certain stereotypes about how genitals should be cared for, today in How To Find we will explain some essential ideas.
- What To Use?
- How Often?
- How To Do It?
- Douching
- Use Of Sponges
- During Menstruation
- Underwear
- Sexual Intercourse
1. What To Use?
Gel, soap, wipes, etc. There are countless products to choose from. But which are the most suitable products?
First of all, you have to start by saying that it is very difficult to eliminate the flow, the smell, the humidity in the genital area, because the genitals have an excretory function.
That is to say, they let out flow, secretions, menstruation, etc., to the outside of the body. This is absolutely necessary. So nature has put there all that amount of flows and smells. Face it. Trying to eliminate them altogether is useless and harmful.
Having said this, one must wash oneself, and for this, the ideal is to use a gel for the intimate zone with an adequate “PH” that does not irritate or dry the zone.
Or a neutral shower gel that can be used for the whole body, as well as the genitals. There are many products on the market to choose from. We should not use any product that is aggressive, such as intimate soaps or deodorants, and try to eliminate the flow or odor completely. You can’t, and you shouldn’t.
A frequent question: is homemade soap good? sexologists say no. “It’s not that it’s bad, but homemade soap dries out a lot. Wet wipes aren’t usually recommended either, because they usually dry and irritate too much,” she said.
2. How Often?
This is another important point. Intimate feminine hygiene should not be excessive. The excess of hygiene and gel in the genitals is going to produce first, dryness, and second, that all the protection that in a natural way has the zone is eliminated.
Even if it doesn’t seem like it, the flow, the lubrication, etc…, are there for something. Excessive washing can only lead to the genital area being deprived of its natural protection and favor infections.
Female genital hygiene should be once a day. The daily shower provides the area with adequate hygiene. On the other hand, if you are in any process of infection or on the days of menstruation and you feel the need to wash more frequently, it is done only with water. Without using any product. That’s usually enough.
3. How To Do It?
When cleaning the genitals, either with toilet paper or water, the area should always be cleaned in the same direction: from the front to the back. That is, from the cleanest part (urethra and vagina) to the dirtiest part (which is the anus). If it is done the other way around, we can facilitate infections by carrying traces of faeces into the vagina or urethra.
This is important at all ages. From babies to girls, adults to older women.
So every time you go to the bathroom or during the shower, you should wash this way. It is also important to teach daughters how to do this. A good hygiene habit for life.
4. Douching
Vaginal douches are the application of water or specific cleaning products for the interior of the vagina. As mentioned above, the vagina is a wet part of the body, which will always have traces of discharge and secretions. And it is good that you have them.
Douching removes all that natural lubrication and protection, and produces a lot of dryness. That dryness rather causes discomfort.
In addition, as mentioned before, the microorganisms that must be in the vagina to avoid infections are eliminated.
So douching is not recommended. What is naturally in the vagina should be left there.
Use douching only if it is part of a treatment prescribed by a doctor for a specific case of vaginal infection.
5. Use Of Sponges
Sponges are not recommended for washing the genitals because they can be a source of germs. It is preferable to use clean hands to wash the vulva, lips and clitoris well.
6. During Menstruation
Whether tampons, compresses or menstrual cups are used, they should be changed regularly, within 6 hours.
If tampons are used, it is important to use a size of tampon that is appropriate to the amount of menstruation. A tampon that is more absorbent than necessary causes too much vaginal dryness.
It is not necessary to wash more often during menstruation. Once a day is enough. But if you still feel the need to do it, do it only with water. Don’t use gel all the time.
7. Underwear
Today we can find a lot of varied underwear in terms of materials, colors, shapes and sizes.
“Wear those underwear with your comfort in mind, not aesthetics. Of course I’m talking about your daily life. If you need underwear for a special occasion…, it’s another issue,” said Cámara.
The best option is to wear cotton underwear if possible. If you have problems with itching and vulvar discomfort, it may not be cotton, or poor quality, or with dyes that are too aggressive to the skin.
8. Sexual Intercourse
After sex, you don’t need to do a vaginal shower, but you can wash with water or an intimate gel. This eliminates excess fluids, or products such as lubricants that may contain, for example, condoms.
Remember that washing after sex does not prevent STDs.
For further information you can visit:
