Do You Really Need to Clean Your Vagina?

By Rahab Mbiriti / May 1, 2019 | 1:18 am

One of the most googled topics around the world by most women involves vaginal health, the reason being that most women still find it hard to visit a gynecologist.

80 percent of women across the globe find it uncomfortable and rather embarrassing having conversations with doctors and even their sexual partners concerning their vaginas and for this reason, turn to the internet where there is so much misinformation.

One of the most confusing topics when it comes to vaginal health is about cleaning the vagina. A lot of women ask, should I wash my vagina? If yes, how should I wash it? If no, why not?

The vagina is one of the most delicate parts of a woman’s body and thus should be handled with delicacy and care.

Most gynecologists agree on the fact that the vagina is a self-cleaning organ and for this reason, you should use minimal effort and techniques to clean it.

Nonetheless, here are some tips that have been widely recommended by health experts on how best to take care of your vagina and keep it healthy;

Have a balanced diet

Observing a healthy diet will automatically help your vagina stay healthy and hence be able to keep itself clean.

Drink lots of water, fruits, and vegetables that will help your vagina maintain its normal PH.

Wash only the outside of the vagina

When showering only clean the outside parts (the labia/lips) of the vagina with warm water and avoid the inside completely.

Separate the labia and gently wipe with a clean damp cloth to rinse off any secretions that get stuck between skin folds.

Avoid using soaps, shower gels or wet wipes

NEVER douche or use feminine deodorant sprays, bubble baths, wipes, bath oils or other perfumed products on your vulva or in your vagina as they can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or remove the natural fluid that keeps your vagina clean.

These products are NOT necessary and may be harmful.

Dry your vagina after showering

Remember to always dry yourself when you are from the shower and before you put on any underwear so as to reduce your chances of developing a yeast infection.

Change sanitary towels regularly

It is vital to always change pads and tampons regularly so that they should not create a feeding ground for bacteria.

Additionally, you should not wear pads when you are not on your periods in order to trap the normal discharge because it will only make things worse.

Wear cotton underwear

Wear underwear with a cotton crotch and avoid wearing thong-style underwear as they can irritate your vulva.

Wipe from front to back

To avoid the risk of a possible urinary tract infection (UTI) always wipe your genital area from the front to the back and not vise-versa.

Bottom Line

Anything introduced to the vagina risks upsetting the careful balance of bacteria, particularly if a woman is buying products because she thinks something is wrong.

It’s a myth that the vagina needs extensive cleaning with perfumed soaps or feminine hygiene products, so stay clear of anything sold in beauty shops.

About Rahab Mbiriti

Rahab Mbiriti is an Experienced Research Specialist working for Sokodirectory with a passion for collecting data, breaking down data and analyzing it for easy consumption. Rahab also has a passion for writing Business and Economic oriented articles.To reach her, email her on rahab@sokodirectory.com

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