Maintain a Clean and Healthy Vagina
It is essential to maintain a clean and healthy vagina, both for your comfort and physical welfare. It is also vital for your sexual health to stop the spread of infections, and make your sex life more enjoyable. Your vagina has it's own pH system, which means that it mostly looks after itself, but there are certain things you can do to help it, and not unbalance its pH - the usual pH of a vagina is between 3.8 and 4.5.
Steps
- Find a good gynecologist and visit them regularly. This means that if anything goes seriously wrong, you can get it sorted fast. They can also recommend you on better ways to look after your vagina.
- Wear 100% cotton underwear as often as possible, and change it every day. Although this sort of underwear often isn't very flattering, it allows your skin to 'breathe', keeping you fresher, and getting rid of bacteria.
- Do not use soap. This unbalances the pH system and can cause the vagina to become acidic, leaving it unable to clean itself, and open to more bacteria and infections.
- Be careful what you're putting inside it. If you find yourself with a new sexual partner, try to discuss each others sexual health beforehand, to make sure you won't pass any infections between each other. If possible, make sure you are both tested for STIs, especially if you don't want to use condoms.
- If using sex toys, clean them before and after every use, using specialized cleaning products available online. If more than one person will be using them, it is best to put a condom on all sex toys beforehand.
- If you're worried about vaginal odor, it can help to change your diet. Too much sugary and fatty foods can make your vaginal fluids bitter and smell unpleasant - it can help to eat more fruit such as pineapple and strawberries. Other healthy foods to help your vagina maintain its pH are garlic, and natural or Greek yogurt.
- Wash your bedding regularly, to get rid of any lingering germs and dirt.
- While on your period, it may help to use specialized wet wipes, to help you stay clean and fresh throughout the day. Remember to change your sanitary towel/tampon every four hours, especially if you have a heavy flow, to help you feel comfortable.
- If you wax your pubic hair, see a professional as much as possible, at least for the first time you have it done. If you shave, be very careful, it may be best to keep a small mirror on hand to check how you're doing.
Tips
- If you're still worried about smell during oral sex, put a dab of perfume on the inside of your upper thighs - not on the vagina itself.
- As an alternative, wash your vagina with warm water since this will also help with keeping the vagina's pH balanced.
Warnings
- Check that all condoms, sanitary and cleaning products meet international health standards.
