Maintaining good daily feminine hygiene is important to prevent irritation, odor, and infections in a woman’s sensitive areas.
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that does not need to be washed. In fact, a healthy vagina has a well-balanced ecology of bacteria that helps maintain the right pH. The right vaginal pH is slightly acidic (3.5 to 4.5), which can prevent “bad” bacteria from thriving.
Washing inside or douching the vagina can disturb this natural balance and result in irritation, bacterial vaginosis, or a yeast infection. Moreover, douching increases the risk of pushing sexually transmitted infections upwards toward the fallopian tubes, as well as cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that can result in infertility.
While gynecologists advise against washing the vagina, they recommend cleaning the vulva as part of women’s daily hygiene routine. Daily washing of the vulva prevents accumulation of vaginal discharge, sweat, urine, as well as fecal contamination, to prevent body odor. Warm water is all that’s needed to adequately clean the vulva.
However, there are certain feminine hygiene products that gynecologists recommend to thoroughly cleanse, moisturize, and freshen up your sensitive areas.
Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologically-tested soaps for sensitive skin are mild and least likely to contain potentially allergenic ingredients that can irritate the vulva and vagina.
Cleansing cloths that are pH-balanced with clinically-tested safe scents provide gentle cleansing to remove odor-causing bacteria.
pH-balanced, hypoallergenic, dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested moisturizing wash specifically formulated for the vulva contain no ingredients that can disrupt the normal pH of the vagina.
Cleansing wipes that are made from 100% bamboo soaked in a simple, purified water solution and are alcohol-free and contain no parabens, sulfates, synthetic preservatives, dyes, or fragrances. Ideal for messy moments “down there” such as when you have your period, after sex, or at the gym.
Consult your gynecologist for more information on good feminine hygiene.
Shop at Watsons for your essential healthcare needs.
References: https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vulva-vagina-products#Your-vagina-doesnt-need-special-products,-but-your-vulva-might-benefit. Accessed 31 July 2021 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745505717731011. Accessed 31 July 2021
