No matter how comfortable we are with our bodies, we all have times when we wonder how we feel “down there.” You've probably thought to yourself at some point, "Do I smell normal?" And what's normal anyway?
Education is important when it comes to feminine intimate hygiene. You probably learned about your body from a variety of sources: school, the internet, your best friends, your mother. However, chances are some feminine hygiene skills were never taught to you or have evolved over time. Read on for some helpful tips.
Keep your private parts clean and dry
Cotton is a breathable material, making it the ideal fabric for underwear. It helps reduce moisture between your legs and keeps your skin cool and dry. With breathable fabrics like cotton, you have a reduced risk of bacterial growth and infections.
On the other hand, fabrics like satin retain moisture. This is because it reduces airflow, creating irritation and friction. And this promotes the growth of yeast and bacteria which can lead to infections. After sports sessions, also remember to change your clothes and take a good shower. Indeed, the sweat that remains on clothing and skin is a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria.
Don't douche
Your vagina knows how to take care of itself. It self-cleans and naturally produces discharge that helps eliminate germs and bacteria from your body. So douching or using harsh cleansers or soaps can disrupt your natural pH balance and can irritate your vagina and kill good bacteria.
Additionally, douching will only mask the odor but will not cure infections. For example, if your vagina smells similar to rotten fish, you might have bacterial vaginosis which is a common vaginal infection. Apply warm water and mild soap to the vulva. You do not need to clean the inside of the vagina.
Eat well
Eating a healthy diet can do good for your body and your vagina. Foods like yogurt with live cultures contain health-promoting bacteria that help promote vaginal health.
If you're prone to urinary tract infections, research in Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that taking a cranberry supplement daily may be helpful.
Use clean towels
Wash and replace towels and washcloths after using them. It is not wise to reuse towels because bacteria can cling to their surfaces. And this will potentially put you at risk of infection.
Have safe sex
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says that correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases transmitted through genital secretions such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
However, condoms offer less protection against STDs transmitted through skin-to-skin contact like genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
When condoms don't protect against STDs, it's usually because they are used incorrectly. For example, some people use a condom just during ejaculation or sometimes have sex without a condom. Also remember to put a condom on sex toys, because certain infections can be transmitted by these sex toys. Clean toys with soap and water if the product allows before and after each use.
Is there anything else you should avoid doing or using?
To be very clear: anything marketed as “feminine hygiene” should be banned. The same goes for all products that claim to rebalance pH. The vulva does not need to be pH balanced, and the vagina is capable of managing its own pH. In addition to all the advice given above, don't forget that it is very important to consult your gynecologist regularly. Please do this at least once a year to ensure your good health.
This is the reason why, at HIMALYA STORE, you will find the intimate gel with khamaré and tahara, made from natural plants. You will also find natural plants such as djeka leaves and khamare, for good intimate hygiene.