Difference between revisions of "Keep Your Vagina Cleaner"

Maintaining vaginal hygiene is important for all women to do and understanding how to properly take care of your vagina is vital for your health. The vagina is naturally acidic and contains bacteria that can help fight off infections and maintain a normal pH balance. Discharge is also a normal secretion that the vagina produces in order to keep itself clean. Although this is a self-cleaning organ, you can take steps to improve your vaginal hygiene.<ref name="rf1">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#01</ref>  

# Wash your vulva daily with suitable soap and water. Washing your vagina the correct way is important in maintaining a healthy pH balance while also preventing infections. A normal pH level ranges from 3.5-4.5 on a scale of 0-14. To keep a regulated pH level:<ref name="rf2">http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/how-to-clean-your-vagina</ref>

# Clean the external areas surrounding the vagina. External parts, such as the vulva and the labia majora (the larger outer folds of the vulva), should also be cleaned with soap and water every day.<ref name="rf2" />

# Avoid using a loofah and washing too often. Rough and hard washcloths and loofahs can create small tears and expose you to infection. Avoid these and use a soft washcloth or your hand instead.<ref name="rf2" />

#* Also, do not clean yourself more than once a day.  Excessive cleaning can disrupt the pH balance and lead to dryness.<ref name="rf2" />

#Avoid douching. Douching flushes water into your vagina, cleaning out natural bacteria and secretions. You should avoid douching because:<ref name="rf3">http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/vagina-health/Pages/keep-vagina-clean.aspx</ref>

#* Vaginal odor changes at different times of the menstrual cycle so don’t always think a bad smell is a sign of infection or illness.<ref name="rf3" />

# Eat a healthy diet. The key to maintaining vaginal health is a nutritious and well-balanced diet as well maintaining proper hydration. Add the following foods to your diet to promote vaginal hygiene:<ref name="rf4">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#03</ref>

#* Cranberry juice may help treat and prevent yeast infections.<ref name="rf5">://simpleorganiclife.org/vagina-health/</ref>

#* Yogurt may help maintain vaginal pH balance.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Soy products help with vaginal dryness and act as a natural lubricant.<ref name="rf4" />

#* Nuts and wheat contain vitamin E that help prevent vaginal dryness while also aiding in keeping your skin healthy.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Drinking 8 glasses of water a day also promotes natural lubrication and a milder vaginal scent.<ref name="rf6">http://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/dr-laura-berman-foods-for-vaginal-health.aspx</ref>  

# Practice safe sex. Practicing safe sex helps prevent against harmful bacteria and sexually transmitted diseases and promotes vaginal health.<ref name="rf7">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#04</ref>

#* Avoid petroleum jelly or other oil-based products as these can break down the latex in condoms, making them ineffective and can cause infection to the vagina.<ref name="rf8">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#07</ref>  

#*During a gynecologic exam, your doctor will take a pap smear that can help diagnose diseases (such as cancer) or disorders that can affect the health of your vagina as well as your reproductive system.<ref name="rf9">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#05</ref>  

#* As you reach the ages of 21, your gynecologist will begin cervical screening. These screenings look for changes in the cervix and are used for diagnosing cancer.<ref name="rf3" />

# Wear comfortable and dry clothing. Keeping your vagina clean and dry is important to reduce the risk of infection and overgrowth of bacteria. Some fabrics can increase heat and moisture in the vagina so avoid the following:<ref name="rf10">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#08</ref>

#* Change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes immediately after you’re done.<ref name="rf11">http://www.everydayhealth.com/yeast-infection/prevention/</ref>

# Change your menstrual products regularly. When you’really having your period, your vagina is constantly moist so changing products regularly is vital. Extra moisture and warmth can lead to infection.<ref name="rf12">http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx#09</ref>

# Diagnose and treat yeast infection. Yeast infection is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of ''Candida albicans'' yeast.<ref name="rf13"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/causes/con-20035129</ref>

#* Symptoms of yeast infection include itching and burning, painful urination, gray or white vaginal discharge that is thick, pain during sex, and redness/swelling of the vulva.<ref name="rf14"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/symptoms/con-20035129</ref>   

#* Yeast infection can be treated with antifungal ointment, tablet or suppository, such as butoconazole (Gynazole-1), miconazole (Monistat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin), and terconazole (Terazol 3).<ref name="rf15">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/treatment/con-20035129</ref>

#* Reduce your risk of yeast infection by avoiding douching, wear loose-fitting pants, avoid pantyhose, and change wet clothes as soon as possible.<ref name="rf16"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/prevention/con-20035129</ref>

# Diagnose and treat bacterial vaginosis. This condition is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina and is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44.<ref name="rf17">http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm</ref>

#* Bacterial vaginosis is thought to result from imbalance in the normal vaginal bacteria. New or multiple sexual partners and douching may disrupt the balance and lead to switching from “good” to “harmful” bacteria.<ref name="rf18"> http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm</ref>

#* Sometimes this condition can go away without treatment but your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. Best way to prevent bacterial vaginosis is to maintain proper vaginal hygiene that supports normal healthy bacterial balance.<ref name="rf18" />

# Prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  STDs are bacterial, viral or parasitic infections are transferred from partner to partner during unprotected sex. More than 20 types of STDs are known (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis).<ref name="rf19"> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sexuallytransmitteddiseases.html</ref>

#* Many STDs can be symptomless but if you do experience symptoms they may include unpleasant odor, white, clear, yellow, or green vaginal discharge, itching, and painful urination.<ref name="rf20">http://www.everydayhealth.com/trichomoniasis/</ref>

#* Some bacterial and parasitic STDs can be treated with antibiotics whereas others have no cure, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and genital herpes, but can be managed with medications.<ref name="rf21"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/basics/definition/CON-20034128?p=1</ref>