People often refer to the entire area “down there” as the vagina, but remember that the vagina is actually the tube-like muscle located inside your body. The vulva, the skin outside the vagina, may be cleansed with no-frills bar soap, as long as you don’t find that it irritates your skin. If you do wash your vagina with soap, make sure to thoroughly rinse it with warm water so that no traces of soap are left behind. Soap left inside the vagina can cause irritation.
Scented creams marketed as a way to change the smell of your vagina can cause the same problems, so these should also be avoided. The same goes for scented pads and tampons and scented wipes. If you feel like you absolutely have to use a scent on your vagina, go for something completely natural and chemical free. You can make your own body spray by mixing a few drops of an essential oil like rose, lavender or lemongrass with water in a spray bottle. Use the body spray after showering, and make sure you’re completely dry before getting dressed. Keep in mind that there is no evidence that douching prevents infections or helps to protect against STIs. In fact, it is more likely that douching increases your risk.
Change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours to avoid toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Tampons absorb menstrual blood, and if you leave them in too long, you’re keeping the blood in your vagina where it can change your pH. Make sure you change your tampon every few hours to keep this from happening. Don’t use pads or panty liners for longer than necessary. Wearing pads and panty liners all month long or after your period is over can lead to skin irritation. Consider getting a menstrual cup. These rubber cups are inserted in the vagina to catch the blood, then rinsed out with hot water every few hours. Menstrual cups are a chemical-free choice for handling your period, and they can be really helpful if you tend to get irritated by tampons and pads.
If you like wearing underwear made from fabrics other than cotton, make sure the section of the underwear that will be touching your vagina has a cotton liner. If you tend to get a lot of vaginal infections, try picking underwear made from organic, undyed cotton that hasn’t been treated with any chemicals.
If you decide to shave the area around your vagina, be very careful not to cut yourself with the razor. Use shaving cream (making sure not to let any get inside your vagina) and take your time shaving around the folds so you don’t accidentally get hurt. Waxing is another option that many women choose. If you go this route, make sure you do some research and choose a reputable waxing salon that uses clean products and wax. Waxing salons with unsanitary practices can cause the spread of bacterial infections.
Asking your partner to wash before sex is also a good idea, especially if you aren’t using condoms. Wipe your vagina from front to back if you wipe away any secretions. Washing other body parts before sex can be helpful, too! If you’re especially prone to getting infections, try taking a shower with your partner before having sex to minimize the risk that you’ll end up with unhealthy bacteria in your body. Use dental dams and gloves as an extra form of protection if you receive oral sex or are being fingered.
Other foods besides yogurt also help your body in this way. Kimchi, kombucha, and other fermented foods can be substituted for yogurt if you aren’t a big fan. Yogurt pills are also available if you’d prefer not to ingest yogurt on a daily basis.
Locate your pelvic floor muscles. To do this, pretend you are stopping urination in midstream. The muscles you use to stop are the ones you are targeting with kegels. Tighten the muscles and hold for three seconds, then release. Repeat this 15 times. Continue doing kegel exercises daily, holding for longer and adding more repetitions as you gain control.
Try mula bandhas (practiced in yoga) to help strengthen your pelvic floor. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Using a vibrator can help you achieve the same effect. Jade eggs, vaginal cones, ben wa balls and vaginal barbells are also implements designed to exercise the vagina through “weight-lifting” techniques. [8] X Research source
If you are pregnant, make sure to consult your health care provider before taking any medication, even if you feel certain that you have a yeast infection. If you aren’t sure that what you have is a yeast infection, you should see a doctor to double check. Yeast infection symptoms include curd-like, yellowish discharge with a bad smell, itching and burning in the vaginal area, a rash on the vulva, and burning or soreness. If your infection still won’t go away after a week or so, make an appointment with your doctor to get prescription medication that will wipe out your infection. You can also try doubling your daily intake of yogurt or other fermented foods to increase the levels of “good” bacteria in your body.
