Stop! Why Are You Doing That?
There are many myths surrounding the vagina. From washing to douching to scrubbing to 'perfuming'. However, do you know the care you seem to be giving your vee might actually be causing it harm? Please pass this on to as many women as you can, you would be doing them a whole world of good.
Many women experience uncomfortable, vaginal infections (vaginitis) at one time or another. The area around the entrance to the vagina (vulva) can also become irritated. Steps can be taken to relieve and prevent vulvar discomfort and vaginal infections.
This article provides you with general tips for maintaining a healthy vulva and vagina. Not all vaginal infections are alike and home treatments can worsen some types. If you have any concerns about your vulvar or vaginal health, or notice unusual changes in vaginal discharge, contact your health care provider if the problem persists.
The vagina is designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions (discharge). It's a tube of muscle inside a woman’s body that runs from the cervix (the opening of the womb) to the vaginal opening. The external sex organs, which are called the vulva, surround the vaginal opening. Looking after your everyday health can help keep your vagina in good shape, says Dr Suzy Elneil, consultant in urogynaecology at University College Hospital, London, and spokesperson for Wellbeing of Women. “Generally, good vaginal health is maintained by making sure you’re in good general health,” she explains. “This includes healthy diet and exercise. Normal exercise helps maintain good vaginal function, as walking and running helps the pelvic floor to tone up and helps ensure good general health.”
Vaginal secretions or discharge
Other than your period, as part of your natural menstrual cycle, it’s normal to produce clear or white secretions (discharge) from your vagina. This mucus is produced naturally from the neck of the womb, known as the cervix. “Vaginal discharge is not ‘always a bad sign’,” says Dr Elneil. “There is a myth that copious clear or white discharge is associated with sexually transmitted infections. Changes in the amount of discharge can be 100% hormonal – in other words, linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.”
The character and amount of vaginal discharge varies throughout your menstrual cycle. Around the time that your ovary releases an egg (ovulation), your discharge usually becomes thicker and stretchy, like raw egg white.
Healthy discharge doesn’t have a strong smell or colour. You may feel an uncomfortable wetness, but you shouldn't have any itching or soreness around your vagina. If there are any changes to your discharge that aren't normal for you, such as a change in colour or if it starts to smell or itch, see your gynaecologist as you might have an infection.
Bacteria in the vagina
There are lots of bacteria inside the vagina, and they're there to protect it. Professor Ronnie Lamont, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says: “The vagina contains more bacteria than anywhere else in the body after the bowel, but the bacteria are there for a reason.”
The good bacteria inside the vagina provide "numerical dominance". They outnumber other potential harmful bacteria that might enter the vagina. They help to keep the vagina’s pH balance (how acidic the vagina is) at an even level, which helps to keep the balance of bacteria healthy. They can produce bacteriocins (naturally occurring antibiotics) to reduce or kill other bacteria entering the vagina.
They also produce a substance that stops invading bacteria sticking to the vagina walls, which prevents bacteria from invading the tissues. If the balance of bacteria is disturbed, this can lead to infection and inflammation. Bacteria called lactobacilli help to keep the vagina’s pH balance at its normal low level (less than pH 4.5), which also prevents the growth of other organisms. If the pH of the vagina increases (in other words, if it gets less acidic), the quality or amount of lactobacilli can fall and other bacteria can multiply. This can result in infections such as bacterial vaginosis or thrush, which can cause symptoms including itching, irritation and abnormal discharge.
Tips for vulvar care
Vaginal douches
A douche flushes water up into the vagina, clearing out vaginal secretions. Some women use a douche to "clean" the vagina, but using a douche can disrupt the normal vaginal bacteria so it isn't recommended that you use one. “I can’t think of any circumstances where douches are helpful, because all they do is wash out everything that’s in the vagina, including all the healthy bacteria,” explains Professor Lamont.
There is no evidence that douching protects against STIs or vaginal infections, and it may even increase the risk.
Scented wipes and vaginal deodorants
These perfumed products can disrupt the vagina’s healthy, natural balance. “If nature had intended the vagina to smell like roses or lavender, it would have made the vagina smell like roses or lavender,” says Professor Lamont.
Washing with water (and a plain soap, optionally. Water alone does the job) should be all you need to keep your vagina healthy. It’s normal for the vagina to have a scent. “Vaginal odour can change at different times of the reproductive cycle and shouldn't always be thought of as being a sign of infection or illness,” says Dr Elneil.
The most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge is bacterial vaginosis, which can cause an unpleasant smell. It’s easily treated with antibiotics, so see your gynaecologist if you're worried. Don't abuse antibiotics, it is dangerous. If you're worried about the way your vagina smells, if it smells unpleasant and you have to use perfumed products to cover it up, you should see your gynaecologist (every woman should have one who follows her gynae health history). You might have an infection that needs treatment.
Safer sex
Some bacteria and viruses can get into the vagina during sex. These include the bugs that cause chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis and HIV. You can protect your vagina against these infections by using a condom every time you have sex. Stick with one partner (the one you've made a commitment to), multiple sex partners is dangerous to your health.
Cervical screening
All women aged from 25 to 64 should go for regular cervical screening. Being screened regularly means that any abnormal changes in the cervix can be identified early on, and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.
Many women experience uncomfortable, vaginal infections (vaginitis) at one time or another. The area around the entrance to the vagina (vulva) can also become irritated. Steps can be taken to relieve and prevent vulvar discomfort and vaginal infections.
This article provides you with general tips for maintaining a healthy vulva and vagina. Not all vaginal infections are alike and home treatments can worsen some types. If you have any concerns about your vulvar or vaginal health, or notice unusual changes in vaginal discharge, contact your health care provider if the problem persists.
The vagina is designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions (discharge). It's a tube of muscle inside a woman’s body that runs from the cervix (the opening of the womb) to the vaginal opening. The external sex organs, which are called the vulva, surround the vaginal opening. Looking after your everyday health can help keep your vagina in good shape, says Dr Suzy Elneil, consultant in urogynaecology at University College Hospital, London, and spokesperson for Wellbeing of Women. “Generally, good vaginal health is maintained by making sure you’re in good general health,” she explains. “This includes healthy diet and exercise. Normal exercise helps maintain good vaginal function, as walking and running helps the pelvic floor to tone up and helps ensure good general health.”
Vaginal secretions or discharge
Other than your period, as part of your natural menstrual cycle, it’s normal to produce clear or white secretions (discharge) from your vagina. This mucus is produced naturally from the neck of the womb, known as the cervix. “Vaginal discharge is not ‘always a bad sign’,” says Dr Elneil. “There is a myth that copious clear or white discharge is associated with sexually transmitted infections. Changes in the amount of discharge can be 100% hormonal – in other words, linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.”
The character and amount of vaginal discharge varies throughout your menstrual cycle. Around the time that your ovary releases an egg (ovulation), your discharge usually becomes thicker and stretchy, like raw egg white.
Healthy discharge doesn’t have a strong smell or colour. You may feel an uncomfortable wetness, but you shouldn't have any itching or soreness around your vagina. If there are any changes to your discharge that aren't normal for you, such as a change in colour or if it starts to smell or itch, see your gynaecologist as you might have an infection.
Bacteria in the vagina
There are lots of bacteria inside the vagina, and they're there to protect it. Professor Ronnie Lamont, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says: “The vagina contains more bacteria than anywhere else in the body after the bowel, but the bacteria are there for a reason.”
The good bacteria inside the vagina provide "numerical dominance". They outnumber other potential harmful bacteria that might enter the vagina. They help to keep the vagina’s pH balance (how acidic the vagina is) at an even level, which helps to keep the balance of bacteria healthy. They can produce bacteriocins (naturally occurring antibiotics) to reduce or kill other bacteria entering the vagina.
They also produce a substance that stops invading bacteria sticking to the vagina walls, which prevents bacteria from invading the tissues. If the balance of bacteria is disturbed, this can lead to infection and inflammation. Bacteria called lactobacilli help to keep the vagina’s pH balance at its normal low level (less than pH 4.5), which also prevents the growth of other organisms. If the pH of the vagina increases (in other words, if it gets less acidic), the quality or amount of lactobacilli can fall and other bacteria can multiply. This can result in infections such as bacterial vaginosis or thrush, which can cause symptoms including itching, irritation and abnormal discharge.
Tips for vulvar care
- Use only warm water to wash the vulva. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
- It’s a good idea to avoid perfumed soaps, gels and antiseptics as these can affect the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in the vagina, and cause irritation. Use plain, unperfumed soaps to wash the area around the vagina (the vulva) gently every day.
- The vagina will clean itself inside your body with natural vaginal secretions (discharge). Avoid using douches. “During your period, washing more than once a day may be helpful,” says Dr Elneil, who points out that keeping the perineal area (between the vagina and anus) clean is important too. “Good perineal hygiene is necessary, by washing that area at least once a day using your normal bathing routines.”
- “All women are different,” says Professor Lamont. “Some may wash with perfumed soap and not notice any problems. But if a woman has vulval irritation or symptoms, then one of the first things you can do is to use non-allergenic, plain soaps to see if that helps.”
- Wear only white, 100 percent cotton underwear. Avoid wearing nylon, acetate, or other manmade fibers.
- Avoid wearing thongs.
- Rinse underclothes (panties and shorts) carefully after washing. Or, double-rinse.
- Wash new underclothes before wearing.
- Use a mild soap for washing underclothes. Do not use detergents (especially Tide) or fabric softeners.
- Use soft toilet tissue (white only).
- Try using tampons instead of sanitary napkins to control menstrual bleeding (Do not use deodorant tampons.) Do not leave tampons in for a long period, to avoid toxic shock syndrome. Do not leave tampons in all night.
- Take Aveeno® sitz baths daily, if prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Don't scratch.
- Avoid wearing nylon pantyhose or panty girdles. They trap heat and moisture, providing an ideal breeding environment for organisms. When nylons or leggings are required, wear cotton or nylons with a cotton panty.
- Avoid these feminine hygiene products, which can irritate the vulva: sanitary pads, feminine spray and deodorants, Vaseline®, oils, greases, bubble baths, bath oils, talc, or powder.
Vaginal douches
A douche flushes water up into the vagina, clearing out vaginal secretions. Some women use a douche to "clean" the vagina, but using a douche can disrupt the normal vaginal bacteria so it isn't recommended that you use one. “I can’t think of any circumstances where douches are helpful, because all they do is wash out everything that’s in the vagina, including all the healthy bacteria,” explains Professor Lamont.
There is no evidence that douching protects against STIs or vaginal infections, and it may even increase the risk.
Scented wipes and vaginal deodorants
These perfumed products can disrupt the vagina’s healthy, natural balance. “If nature had intended the vagina to smell like roses or lavender, it would have made the vagina smell like roses or lavender,” says Professor Lamont.
Washing with water (and a plain soap, optionally. Water alone does the job) should be all you need to keep your vagina healthy. It’s normal for the vagina to have a scent. “Vaginal odour can change at different times of the reproductive cycle and shouldn't always be thought of as being a sign of infection or illness,” says Dr Elneil.
The most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge is bacterial vaginosis, which can cause an unpleasant smell. It’s easily treated with antibiotics, so see your gynaecologist if you're worried. Don't abuse antibiotics, it is dangerous. If you're worried about the way your vagina smells, if it smells unpleasant and you have to use perfumed products to cover it up, you should see your gynaecologist (every woman should have one who follows her gynae health history). You might have an infection that needs treatment.
Safer sex
Some bacteria and viruses can get into the vagina during sex. These include the bugs that cause chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis and HIV. You can protect your vagina against these infections by using a condom every time you have sex. Stick with one partner (the one you've made a commitment to), multiple sex partners is dangerous to your health.
Cervical screening
All women aged from 25 to 64 should go for regular cervical screening. Being screened regularly means that any abnormal changes in the cervix can be identified early on, and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.
Credits: NHS Choices, Cleveland Clinic
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