It is very important to talk about female intimate health and clarify doubts about the subject, in order to avoid mistakes, infections and diseases.
Unfortunately, the topic of female intimate health is still little talked about and discussed. Whether due to taboo or shame, not much information about women’s health is disseminated, which generates many doubts and misunderstandings when it comes to taking care of intimate health. However, this has gradually changed and currently, these issues of care and hygiene of women’s intimate areas have been put more on the agenda.
But still, there is a lot of misinformation on the subject, especially about the correct way to clean the region and avoid diseases. The correct frequency, how to do it, which products to use and how to act in certain situations are women’s main doubts.
Therefore, today we will talk more about the subject and learn valuable tips about female intimate health, how to clean and care for this region.
Female intimate health
Some factors can make the topic of female intimate health a taboo topic and even somewhat embarrassing. However, we must understand that a woman’s body is a sensitive organism, and that sweat, blood, moisture, urine are normal and natural things, which are part of life, and therefore should not be ignored. This is because a lack of care or seemingly harmless habits can harm intimate health, resulting in discomfort and illness.
Therefore, it is essential that girls are guided and educated about women’s health from a very early age. Generally, women see a gynecologist after starting their sexual life, however, ideally this should be done before that. In this way, a gynecologist could offer technical and precise guidance on hormonal changes, contraceptive methods, menstrual cycles and especially hygiene in the intimate area.
Female intimate health is determined by several factors, such as sexual activity, diet, hormones, emotions and hygiene. All of this is interconnected and affects women’s health. Therefore, excess or lack of intimate hygiene, unprotected sexual relations and the use of inappropriate products affect the region’s natural defenses, making it more prone to attacks by diseases and infections.
Hygiene tips for the intimate area
The hygiene of the intimate region is one of the main doubts and concerns of women. It is extremely important and must be done correctly so as not to harm women’s intimate health. This is because in addition to diseases and infections, incorrect intimate hygiene can result in bad odors, inflamed lumps on the skin, and inflammation of the sweat glands. Therefore, let’s find out some tips on how to properly clean the female intimate region and take care of women’s health:
Wash the area with water
The first and most obvious recommendation is that the intimate area should be washed daily with only water and neutral soap. In this way, it avoids unbalancing the vaginal microbiota and the proliferation of disease-causing microorganisms. Pay special attention to the external part, which contains several “folds” in the skin and can accumulate residue.
In addition, there are also intimate soaps that do not alter the pH of the region and are gynecologically tested. These products are great options for keeping the region clean and free of harmful microorganisms. However, they should not be used all the time, as excess may have the opposite effect. It is also very important to avoid applying these products directly to the intimate area, using them only for external cleaning. As for quantity, the recommendation is minimal, and a good tip is to dilute the intimate soap in water before washing the area.
Soaps used on the rest of the body, generally in bars, should be avoided in the intimate area. This is because they tend to have good detergency and cause a lot of foam, and due to the alkaline pH they can destroy the natural protection of the skin in the intimate region, affecting female intimate health.
No vaginal douches
It is common to have the idea that the more water, the cleaner the region will be. But this is not exactly beneficial for the intimate region. Therefore, vaginal showers (cleaning the vaginal canal) should be avoided, as they alter the pH and vaginal flora, leaving the vagina more susceptible to infections. Except in some specific cases where there is infection or the pH is altered. But in these cases, showering should be recommended by the gynecologist and always avoiding very hot water.
Avoid using baby wipes or scented toilet paper
Wet wipes are very useful when you need to perform intimate hygiene outside the home or in emergencies. But the fact is that these wipes, as well as scented toilet paper, should be avoided, being used only in cases of great need, and even then a few times a day. This is because used in excess can cause dryness in the vagina and irritation. All of this contributes to eliminating the natural lubrication of the region, in addition to altering the vaginal pH.
Female intimate health care
In addition to hygiene of the intimate area itself, there are other special precautions that make all the difference to women’s health. Check out what they are below:
Female intimate health during menstruation
It is quite obvious that during menstruation, intimate hygiene care should be intensified. This is because the presence of blood changes the vaginal pH and without proper care, it can increase the chances of bacteria proliferating. There are several different methods to contain bleeding, such as external absorbents, internal pads, menstrual cups, among others. Regardless of the method, it requires periodic changes associated with local hygiene.
Cotton underwear
The type of underwear also directly influences female intimate health. Depending on the fabric, it can improve or worsen ventilation in the region. Synthetic fabrics, for example, make it difficult for the skin to sweat, consequently increasing the accumulation of sweat and making the intimate area more humid and prone to the proliferation of organisms.
Therefore, the best tip is to opt for cotton panties, which, in addition to being more comfortable, promote perspiration in the region, preventing infections. They must be changed daily for better hygiene in the region. It may also be interesting to sleep without underwear to provide more ventilation in the area, even at night.
Furthermore, it is important to avoid wearing tight clothing and panty liners, which can also contribute to the development of vaginal infections.
Hair removal care
Waxing is another factor that directly influences a woman’s intimate health. Total waxing favors the growth of harmful microorganisms, caused by vaginal discharge and increases the chances of diseases. Furthermore, shaving with razors and other methods also destroys the skin’s protective layer and reduces the region’s natural lubrication.
Therefore, it is not as if waxing is prohibited. It’s not that, but you need to take some care and avoid excesses. Using the razor more than 3 times a week is not recommended as it can cause a lot of skin irritation.
Hygiene after sexual intercourse
After sexual intercourse, it is very important to practice good hygiene, in order to avoid infections and diseases and take care of female intimate health. Immediately after intimate contact, it is recommended to urinate and then wash the area thoroughly with water and a little intimate soap. Once this is done, dry the area well and change your panties or daily protector.
For those who usually use lubricants during sexual intercourse, it is important to avoid those with oil and silicone in the composition, as they are more difficult to remove and can harm the vaginal flora.
Furthermore, the woman must be very attentive to the appearance of any changes in the region. Such as discharge with a strong smell, yellow or green color, as well as itching or burning when urinating. In these cases, you should see a gynecologist, as it could be an indication of a urinary infection.
Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out Gynecological exams – What they are and what they are for.
Sources: Tua Saúde Oswaldo Cruz eCycle
Images: Fidelitá Unick Beauty 4 All Clínica Zlotnik
