Tips on keeping your vagina healthy

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, just like your eyes. All you need to do is wash it with clean water, once or twice a day, and you’re done. It’s that simple. No soap is required since the pH of your vulva is different from the rest of your body and most soaps would end up disturbing it. Unless advised by your gynaecologist, you don’t even need to use a vaginal wash.

Pubic hair seems to be a big beauty issue at this time. We know that getting a Brazilian/bikini wax might make you feel clean but that’s really not how it works. Shaving can even cause cuts on the vulva - possibly one of the worst places to have a cut. Pubic hair is there for a reason, to protect your vulva from the friction caused every time you move. So rethink your grooming choice and let the hair grow out if possible. You can always trim it carefully to maintain neatness.

If you are still keen on it for a special occasion, there are some safe ways to remove pubic hair. Do talk to your gynaecologist before you try them, to find one that is best suited to you.

We’re all tempted by the lacy alternatives, but cotton, though admittingly less sexy, is the best option when it comes to picking underwear. It’s a breathable fabric, unlike synthetic options - meaning that it would absorb any white discharge or sweat. This doesn’t mean every other fabric is off the table forever - just try limiting your time in them. Otherwise, you know best what suits your body.

There is no end to the number of trends when it comes to cleaning your vagina or making your vulva look or smell better. Products and practices like vaginal douching and vaginal steaming are not backed by science. And unnecessary chemicals will end up messing with your natural vaginal flora. Don’t fall into the trap - all of these are not required to keep your vagina healthy.

Vagina odour is natural - it arises from the discharge from the glands in the vaginal walls. Though a noticeably foul odour may be a sign of conditions like bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and genital warts. These conditions are treatable. Visit your gynaecologist immediately if your vaginal odour suddenly becomes worse.

Leggings, jeggings, treggings… None of these really ever let your vagina breathe at all. So after trapping it with tight clothes all day long, give it some time to just air itself out. A few hours, and even the whole night, if you’re comfortable with it, without underwear, can do your vagina and vulva a lot of good.

Whenever buying any product that comes into contact with your vulva, always read everything you can about it. Whether it’s a lubricant, sanitary napkins, tampons - you must know what is in it and what can go wrong by using it.

What you have on your plate directly affects every process taking place inside your body. We all know about cranberry juice already - it helps ward off urinary tract infections (no, your Cosmopolitan cocktail made with cranberry syrup doesn’t count). If you can’t find fresh cranberry juice, you might want to try cranberry pills after consulting with your doctor. Another diet habit that can help maintain a healthy vagina is having more prebiotic and probiotic foods. All of these promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut and vagina. Foods rich in vitamin C - such as orange, amla and guava - help maintain the pH of the vagina.

Yes, this is probably something that has been ingrained in you from the beginning. But it’s just as important now as it was when you were a baby. Whenever you’re using the bathroom, make sure to rinse your genitals with water and then wiping from the front to the back.

Read more: Vaginal Yeast Infection: Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention

To protect your vagina from infections and diseases, make sure you always practice safe sex. Use properly fitting condoms. Never, ever reuse a condom. Use a new one even if you are just switching between anal, vaginal and oral sex. Safe sex also means regularly getting checked for STDs and having open conversations about your sexual history with a new partner.

Read more: How to Have Safe Sex

Yes, masturbation is the safest sexual activity out there but that doesn’t mean you can throw caution to the wind. Always wash your hand before and after, if you’re using any sex toys, make sure to clean them properly and carefully. And be careful about what you put up there, if it’s not clean, your vagina may get exposed to harmful, infection-causing bacteria.

Among the most common infections of the vagina is vaginitis. Visit a doctor if notice signs like itchiness and swelling.