A woman’s vagina is one of her most important organs. From menstruation to reproduction, this versatile organ is responsible for a number of processes in a woman’s lifespan, not to mention life itself. Yet, we don’t talk about vaginas or how to take care of them. In this article, we at Stay Sure examine why it is important to keep your vagina clean and dry.
Yeast Infections: Yeast is a kind of fungi that is naturally found in your vagina. Along with yeast, bacteria are also found in the vagina. These bacteria and yeast are actually good for you and keep your vagina healthy. But every now and then, there can be an imbalance between the two. This imbalance leads to the yeast cells multiplying.
Too much yeast in the vagina creates infection. This infection is medically called ‘candidiasis’, as it is usually caused by the yeast called candida. Itching, swelling, rash and soreness are all symptoms of candidiasis or yeast infection. Vaginal discharge during this infection is usually described as whitish-gray and clumpy almost like cottage cheese.
Yeast infections can occur for a variety of reasons. To prevent them you would need to have a diet rich in bacteria, such as plain yogurt. You could also consider wearing comfortable clothing and regularly washing your underwear in hot water.
Bacterial Vaginosis(BV): While the vagina contains mostly good bacteria, there is also some harmful bacteria present. The good bacteria usually keep these harmful bacteria at bay, but sometimes there is an imbalance. When the amount of harmful bacteria increases it causes bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial Vaginosis may not always show symptoms. However, sometimes it does show symptoms. A grey or white thin, watery discharge is one such symptom. Others include a foul, fishy odour, a burning sensation during urination and itching.
There are no clear causes for bacterial vaginosis but it is believed that multiple sex partners, not using protection and using vaginal deodorants can increase the chances of developing bacterial vaginosis.
Apart from the two kinds of conditions mentioned above there are many more like Trichomoniasis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. These are usually sexually transmitted. But no matter how the condition arises, even the slightest infection in your vagina can leave you in a lot of pain and discomfort. Below are a few healthy habits that will help keep your vagina clean and dry.
Wear Something Comfortable: Everybody enjoys sexy lingerie every once in a while but too much of sexy doesn’t do well for your vagina. Wear fabrics that are soft, natural and comfortable such as cotton. These don’t hold onto moisture and allow for air flow, making them breathable.
Let Your Vagina Clean Itself: Believe it or not, your vagina actually has its own self-cleaning mechanism. If you use soap or body wash to clean it you may end up disrupting that mechanism and causing harm instead of good. Don’t flush water up into your vagina. You can use mild soap and warm water on the vulva but you don’t need to clean the inside of the vagina.
Watch Your Diet: Eating healthy keeps your vagina healthy. The good bacteria in the vagina are called Lactobacilli and this is found in foods such as yogurt, honey and cranberry.
Develop Personal Hygiene: When it comes to personal hygiene, it’s the small things that go a long way. Wiping from front to back and cleaning your privates every time you use the loo are habits that need to be developed into your daily routine. You also need to change your pads regularly while on your period.
Allow for Some Air: After bathing, dry the outer parts of your vagina and wait a bit before putting on your clothes. Yeast thrives in a damp environment and doing this will help prevent dampness.
As you can see, keeping your vagina clean and dry is not very difficult. It is just a matter of incorporating simple habits into your daily routine. With the wide range of Stay Sure sanitary products you are a step closer to good vaginal hygiene.