A woman’s guide to vaginal care

By Kavya NSV

Every 20-year-old today is as confused as the 13-year-old teenager when it comes to vaginal care. There are so many tips and products online that it often seems more scary than confusing. The first and most important thing to know is, the vagina is just like a nose or mouth, it is like every other body part that has a track gong inside our body and taking care of it is just an everyday routine. So here how you take care of your baby ( ohh! that’s what I call mine)

Vaginal care tip 1. Clean it every day

Yes, and not with any scented soap or product but with water. Vaginal pH is naturally low and using very hot water or scented products might alter the pH, increasing the risk of bacterial growth.  Every vagina is different and I personally use “V wash” because it works well for my vagina and might work for you too or plain water might just be fine.

Vaginal care tip 2. Go commando and let it breathe!

We experience irritation when we are suffocated and so does our vagina. Oxygen supply to the external part of the vagina is so important, it helps the growth of good bacteria which prevents foul smell and balances pH. Wearing loose bottoms during the day increases the flow of air and improves breathability and going commando at night might actually help your vaginal to stay healthy.

Vaginal care tip 3. Keep it dry

And that is why cotton undies are in such high demand. They absorb the moisture and sweat, keeping the vagina dry. If you work under very humid conditions or sweat a lot then it is important to change your undies at least twice a day. I live in a very humid city and that’s why I use panty liners. Pantyliners are like pads but very small in size, If you experience wetness and white discharge, or you are close to your periods, they are real lifesavers.

Vaginal care tip 4. Know your smell

Every vagina has a unique smell, you don’t necessarily have to sniff it but you should be able to detect any change in smell because the foul smell is an indication of infection. No vagina ever smells like a bed of roses and it shouldn’t! So dare not use any kind of scented sanitary napkins or heavily perfumes detergents for your undies, this might result in irritation.

Vaginal care tip 5. Wipe in the right direction

This is such a small yet important step that we give very little thought to. Always wipe the front and then wipe the back, that’s the golden rule! If the bacteria from the rectum end up at the vagina, it might lead to some serious infections. Just in case you haven’t learned it during your potty training, first, clean your vagina and then your butt, but never the other way round.

Vaginal care tip 6. Eat healthily and exercise regularly

YES! There is no running away from this. Staying in good health, in general, helps your vagina to stay healthy too. Eating healthy helps maintain the menstrual cycle and exercising regularly helps the pelvic floor to tone up.