6 essential tips for vaginal health

A woman may do what it takes to protect her heart, eyes, and digestive health, but is she also doing the same for her vaginal health?  Tucked away inside a woman’s body, it’s easy to forget this muscular tube that leads from the external genitals to the cervix of the uterus, needs special care too.  Considered mainly for sex, good vaginal health affects more than just a woman’s sex life.  Having a healthy vagina is an important part of a woman’s overall health.  If problems arise, it can affect a woman’s fertility, desire for sex and ability to reach orgasm.  Ongoing vaginal health issues can also cause stress or relationship problems impacting a woman’s self-confidence. 

By following the 6 tips for vaginal health, this can prevent many disorders affecting the vagina keeping it as healthy as possible:

1.  Get regular screenings

All women need to stay current with health screenings by seeing their gynecologist for regular care.  The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends women have their first screening gynecologic exam at age 21.  It is also recommended that women undergo Pap smears starting at age 21 to screen for changes in vaginal cells that might indicate the presence of cancer.  Gynecologists are doctors who are trained to diagnose diseases and disorders that can harm the vagina or reproductive system as a whole.

2.  Use condoms

To reduce the spread of STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases), the use of a condom is a must.  Condoms are not 100% safe, but if used correctly, they will reduce the risk of STDs. Women who are not in a mutually monogamous relationship or anytime she has sex with a new sexual partner, needs to insist on using condoms to reduce the spread of STDs such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis. 

3.  Avoid douching

The normal pH of the vagina is 3.8 to 4.5 however, if a woman chooses to douche, this can interfere with the vagina’s pH, reducing acidity and disrupting the healthy biome or bacterial makeup within the vagina.  This could increase the risk for bacterial infections.

Anytime the vagina has a strong or unpleasant odor, a woman should see her doctor. If she is douching, this will cover up the odor without curing the problem. 

4.  Eat right and exercise often

One of the best ways to achieve good vaginal health is to eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy body weight and to get in regular exercise.  This is good advice for anyone on getting healthy but it’s also good for areas of the body such as the vagina. 

This is especially so for women with diabetes.  Poorly controlled diabetes increases a woman’s likelihood of contracting yeast infections.  Yeast infections occur when the fungus Candida albicans grows out of control. The overgrowth of yeast can occur anywhere on the body, though for women, these infections typically affect the vagina which is very moist and warm.  Women with poorly controlled diabetes are at a high risk for yeast infections because candida thrives on higher-than-normal glucose levels.

5.  Clothing choices make a difference

A woman’s clothing choices can make a difference in the health of the vagina.  Certain types of fabrics and tight-fitting clothing create warm, moist conditions in which yeast thrive.  Thongs are out but wearing breathable, cotton underwear is in. Also women should change out of a wet swimsuit and sweaty workout clothes as quickly as possible. 

6.  Practice good hygiene

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ.  It doesn’t require any harsh chemicals, prepackaged wipes, or douching, all which can disrupt its normal process. Just a mild soap and water is all that is necessary for keeping the vagina clean.  Common sense practices of after a bowel movement, wiping from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination of the vagina and to lower the risk of a bladder infection should be practiced.  Sanitary pads and tampons should be changed regularly during a menstrual cycle.