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Vaginal health: Do’s
First and foremost, remember that anatomically, the vagina refers to the muscular tube that connects the cervix to the vulva. Meanwhile, the vulva is all the external parts of the female genital system.
The vagina has a unique environment made to support your body. The vagina has its own microbiome––microorganisms that live in the vagina and help protect from infections. The vagina also has a unique pH level of around 3.8 to 5, meaning it is slightly acidic.
To ensure vaginal health, it is important to support the natural environment and defense mechanisms of the vagina. Here are some things you can do:
- Practice safe sex: Practicing safe sex can help you prevent STDs that could damage the health of your vagina. Additionally, it will prevent semen––which is slightly alkaline––from disrupting the vagina’s natural pH balance. Make sure to use a reliable method of contraception that protects you from both pregnancy and STDs, and ensure you and your partner(s) are regularly undergoing STD testing.
- Use pH-balanced products to cleanse the vulva: The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that should not be cleansed with any hygiene products. However, washing the vulva with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser is important in maintaining vaginal health, as the vulva is often the first line of defense against pathogens. You can consider getting this clinically-formulated, pH balanced Probiotic Cleanser and this pH Balanced Mist from Ease.
- Wear breathable underwear: Wearing tight or restricting clothing may encourage growth of microorganisms such as yeast, leading to an infection. Yeast, for example, thrives in warm and moist environments––so make sure to choose breathable fabrics.
Vaginal health: Don’ts
In the same way, there are some habits you should avoid to keep your vagina healthy. These include:
- Douching: Douching can be very harmful for your vaginal health, as it can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in your vagina. This can leave you more susceptible to a range of infections.
- Using fragranced intimate products: Avoid intimate products such as pads and tampons that are fragranced, as these could irritate your vulva and vagina.
- Unprotected sex: Besides leaving you vulnerable to STDs and pregnancy, unprotected sex can disrupt your natural vaginal pH. Semen is naturally alkaline, and can cause changes in vaginal pH.
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Conclusion
Healthy habits are key to ensuring your vaginal health. If you have any further questions, we’re here to help. You can book a teleconsultation with an Ease physician at any time––we offer judgment-free, discreet care and treatment for your vaginal health. You can also learn more about sexual health and countless other topics on our blog.
