Many long-held ideas about personal hygiene continue to circulate despite being incorrect or even dangerous. When it comes to vaginal care, making a mistake could have unpleasant results.
Heed these do’s and don’ts to maintain balance in your most intimate area.
1. Do Wash Gently
Daily life makes your whole body dirty, including your vagina. Sweat, discharge and other bodily fluids can cause irritation or itching and may promote infection.
Women often address these issues by douching, but this method is too forceful and can cause more harm than good. It’s better to carefully wash the area while you’re showering, being sure to use a mild soap without chemical additives. This removes potential irritants while preserving pH balance and natural microbes responsible for maintaining vaginal health.
If you want to freshen up throughout the day use a pH-balanced feminine wipe like Swipes.
2. Do Wear Cotton
Cotton underwear is easy on your intimate areas. The material allows your skin to “breathe,” preventing dampness that can lead to infections by bacteria or yeast. Choose underwear that fits properly to minimize discomfort from bunching or chafing.
Cotton is also generally more comfortable than other materials, making it preferable for daily wear.
3. Don’t Load Up on Products
A trip to the drugstore or down the personal care aisle at any grocery store reveals a dizzying collection of products with equally confusing claims. Powders and scented liners promise to give you a feminine scent all month long, and creams advertise speedy resolution to yeast infections.
It’s hard to separate the truth from the hype, especially if you’re already dealing with an issue that you want to resolve as quickly as possible.
In general, you’re better off skipping anything that sounds unnatural or seems too good to be true. The last thing you should be doing when trying to maintain health is applying a slew of chemicals to your vaginal area.
4. Don’t Diagnose Yourself
Going to the doctor first instead of the pharmacy when you’re experiencing a problem is a better idea.
Although it may be tempting to write off your vaginal issues as a yeast infection and grab a box of over-the-counter medicine on your way home from work, you could be misdiagnosing something more serious. Instead of treating the infection, you may wind up giving it time to get worse or treating with something that’s too strong and may cause collateral damage.
Developing good personal care habits helps to prevent infections and maintain health over time. Keep the delicate tissues and beneficial microbes in your vaginal area safe by making these guidelines a part of your daily routine.
