Adherence to the principles of intimate hygiene significantly reduces the risk of unpleasant troubles – irritation and infection. And the proper hygiene of intimate places ensures comfort and a sense of freshness. Learn how to care for hygiene of intimate places.
The cleanliness of intimate areas gives a feeling of comfort, including mental. What’s more, it’s crucial for maintaining health – provided you don’t go overboard. We advise on how to properly care for intimate hygiene.
Intimate hygiene during menstruation
During menstruation, care for hygiene has a slightly different dimension. It is necessary to allow free excretion of the exfoliating endometrium, while preventing the formation of an unpleasant odor. These seemingly contradictory tasks. The rule is – a quick shower in the morning and evening, and also hygiene as needed.
During menstruation, it is better to take a shower than to soak in a bathtub, because a hot bath intensifies bleeding.
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During the day, you do not have to wash yourself after each stay in the toilet, it is usually enough to refresh yourself with a moistened intimate hygiene wipe. However, frequent replacement of sanitary pads and tampons is important . Although they are usually very absorbent, they should not be used for more than 4 hours – bacteria multiply on the blood medium, besides, a moist sanitary napkin can cause burns, and a tampon that is kept for too long can stop the secretion removal. It is also worth remembering that during menstruation, the cervix is open and easier for pathogens to penetrate.
Intimate hygiene only in moderation
The mucous membranes of the external genitalia and vagina are protected by mucus mixed with exfoliated epithelial cells and beneficial bacteria. These are lactic acid producing Lactobacillus strains; their role is to maintain the acidity of the vagina and colonize the mucous so that pathogenic microorganisms do not have the conditions for nesting and development. Therefore, intimate places need to be washed regularly, but not too often, so as not to wash out the beneficial bacteria that protect against infection – it is enough 1-2 times a day.
It is best to wash in the shower, and if you bathe in the tub, then for no more than 15 minutes. Do not use sponges or sponges – they are a habitat of microbes. A small amount of intimate hygiene liquid is applied to the hand and the moistened intimate areas are washed with a movement from front to back, so as not to carry bacteria around the anus into the vagina. After rinsing with running, lukewarm water, dry the crotch with a separate towel (it should be replaced every 2-3 days).
Intimate hygiene and depilation
Recent studies have shown that excessive hair removal promotes intimate and skin infections. The shaver can cause abrasions and irritate the hair follicles, creating microscopic wounds into which pathogens easily penetrate. Also, a chemical depilation preparation can irritate the skin and destroy the natural microflora if it is near the mucous membranes.
However, because strong hair impedes hygiene, especially during menstruation, it is impossible to give up epilation completely. To avoid problems, however, it is worth reducing the frequency of the procedure (not every few days, but every 2 weeks) and leaving hair around the labia and pubic mound, possibly shortening them with a trimmer. The shaver should always be sharp (a blunt blade leads to abrasions and irritation), clean and disinfected. After the procedure, rinse your crotch with cool water, dry with a clean towel and brush the skin with d-panthenol, allantoin or zinc oxide cream.
Intimate hygiene with an appropriate preparation
Liquid or intimate hygiene gel should fulfill several tasks: gently wash and refresh, while maintaining acidic pH (3.8-4.2) and protecting the natural microflora of intimate areas and the vagina. It’s good if it has caring properties, i.e. it moisturizes and soothes irritations. Let’s choose preparations with the addition of lactic acid and herb extracts with antibacterial, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties of the mucosa, such as chamomile , calendula , oak bark , plantain , aloe vera , green tea , restorative , thyme .
The addition of allantoin, lanolin, vegetable oils, glycerin, hyaluronic acid will moisturize the mucosa and alleviate irritation. Avoid preparations containing dyes, fragrances, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), parabens or formaldehyde derivatives. SLS is a strong detergent that dries and irritates the skin. Parabens, formaldehyde derivatives, dyes and artificial flavors can irritate or sensitize.
Intimate hygiene while traveling
When using the toilet, wash your hands not only after, but also before entering the cabin. It is worth carrying a disposable toilet seat cover and wet wipes for intimate hygiene with lactic acid, which helps maintain the proper pH of the intimate zone, preventing bacterial growth. Scented handkerchiefs are not suitable for this, they are usually heavily perfumed and can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. After leaving the pool, wash yourself in the shower. Take an extra towel to sit on to the pool or sauna.
It will be useful to you
Avoid what is harmful:
- ordinary soap- it has an alkaline reaction, about 8.5 pH, dries mucous membranes and disturbs their acid reaction;
- intimate deodorants, perfumed inserts and sanitary pads, strongly fragrant and foaming bath lotions, colored and perfumed toilet paper – used on a daily basis can irritate and sensitize;
- irrigation- rinsing the vagina disrupts the development of natural microflora and disturbs its acid reaction;
- long, hot bathsand bathrobes – warm water causes congestion in the intimate mucosa and makes it susceptible to attack by bacteria and fungi.
Intimate hygiene in a nutshell
Intimate hygiene: principle 1
Wash yourself with special intimate hygiene liquids with acidic pH, preferably with the addition of lactic acid, because they help restore the natural protective flora of the vagina. Wash twice a day or when you have your period, if needed. Do not sit in water with bath lotions or salts. A long coat makes it easier to wash out natural bacteria. Do not use washers and sponges, because they are a habitat of mushrooms. After washing, thoroughly dry (but gently) the entire crotch.
Intimate hygiene: principle 2
If you are taking birth control pills or have undergone an antibiotic treatment, give yourself vaginal capsules with lactobacilli. Ladies who use pills should also know that during the entire cycle, the discharge appears in the same amount, does not change the smell and color.
Intimate hygiene: principle 3
Use pantyliners, change them often. Choose the so-called breathable inserts so that the genital area is not too humid.
Intimate hygiene: principle 4
Change your sanitary pads or tampons frequently during menstruation. However, ladies who get genital tract infections should give up tampons.
Intimate hygiene: rule 5
If you go to the pool, put on a tampon before bathing, and immediately after it is taken, remove it and wash with intimate hygiene liquid.
Intimate hygiene: rule 6
Do not do vaginal irrigation. They are deadly to lactic acid bacteria that protect you against microbes.
Intimate hygiene: principle 7
Do not use fragranced sanitary napkins and undercoats as they can irritate the mucous membranes.
Intimate hygiene: rule 8
Do not wear artificial fiber underwear. The skin cannot breathe in it, it is still moist, and this is not conducive to health. Put on thongs for special occasions, so as not to unnecessarily irritate intimate places.
Good to know
Tampon or sanitary napkin – which is better for a woman’s intimate health?
Modern sanitary pads are thin, you can adjust their size and absorbency to your needs. Tampons provide greater discretion and are a good solution for active women. However, they are not recommended for those with heavy menstrual periods – a long-term tampon makes it difficult to remove exfoliated mucosa and may cause the secretion of secretion. For the same reason, it is not recommended to use a tampon at night. Doctors advise against women who have an intrauterine device – its tip can hook on the tampon and slide out when removed.
Tampon works while swimming in the pool or sea, you just need to remove it immediately after leaving the water. It is important to replace it every 2-4 hours – if not replaced for more than 8 hours it may become a source of infection and toxic shock.
