Cleaning your vagina remains a mystery to many women - should you and do you need to? What products do you need and are there any special care tips? Let’s talk about it.
Firstly, let’s take you back to a basic anatomy lesson. The vagina is the inner canal inside the body. Whereas, the vulva refers to the outer parts of the vagina - such as the clitoris, clitoral hood, and vaginal lips (inner and outer labia).
Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ and does not typically need cleaning. Women’s Health Mag shared a reference from Jessica Shepherd, MD, a gynecologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago and founder of Her Viewpoint. "The vagina has really great mechanisms within it to keep it clean and have its own little healthy 'ecosystem."
That said, whilst your vagina doesn’t need cleaning, your vulva does. So, let’s dive into talking about vaginal smells and how to clean your vulva.
Should you worry about vaginal smell?
A healthy vagina does come with a slight odor and it’s normal to have a smell “down there”. Your vaginal odor can change frequently during the different stages of your menstrual cycle and commonly after intercourse. Although, any unordinary fishy odor or discharge should be seen by a doctor to rule out any infection.
Once you’ve got the all clear from your doctor, consider these health tips for preventing future odor:
- Maintain a healthy diet by consuming lots of vegetables and lean protein sources. Stay away from cruciferous vegetables and spices such as garlic, as these can cause odor.
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least 3 litres of water per day. Water helps keep your tissues hydrated and helps your body eliminate toxins and waste.
- Wash your genital area before and after intercourse. Consider a yoni suppository product to help prevent a bacteria build-up.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes and avoid restrictive clothing on the area.
Why does the vagina not need cleaning?
The vagina is an internal organ. Like all other internal organs, the vagina is self-cleaning, meaning good bacteria keeps the area healthy with the help of natural secretions (aka discharge).
When you clean your vagina, it’s essential to stay away from perfumes and soaps to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels. Washing the outside of your vagina once per day with warm water and a cloth is generally enough to maintain cleanliness.
Why do you need to clean your vulva?
Remember, your vagina and vulva are not the same. While your vagina doesn’t need cleaning, your vulva does need extra care. It’s recommended to wash your vulva every day to maintain proper hygiene. Start with washing your vulva with lukewarm water. Then, spread your vaginal lips open and clean with a washcloth.
While you don’t need to use any fragranced soap, you are free to use soap that’s unscented, mild, and colourless. A perfect alternative is yoni spray, which keeps your vagina fresh and moisturized. This spray can aid private areas that experience constant and uncomfortable itching, discomfort, and irritation. Not only is this spray medicinal, but it is also infused with fruity essential oils to help bring a pop to your sex life and confidence.
How often do you need to clean your vulva?
It’s recommended to clean your vulva no more than once per day. When you use the yoni spray onto your private area, a combination of antibacterial/ antifungal combinations kills smelly germs and bacteria that hibernate there.
Once bacteria are killed, the sweet aroma will override any other smells - talk about a two-for-one deal!
A healthy yoni starts with self-care and understanding the signs of any feminine issues. If you are looking for a product with natural antifungal and antibiotic components, Personal Care Nourishment Yoni Sprays are exactly what you need.
