15 Tips For Menstrual and Intimate Hygiene

Feminine hygiene is essential in keeping our vagina healthy and free from infections. Assuming or failure to observe intimate hygiene during your menses or on a typical day can cause long-term health issues, discomfort or even diseases. As you can see, proper menstrual and personal hygiene is critical. We’ve prepared a few tips for vaginal hygiene every woman should know about and implement.

1. Bath Regularly 

You must shower at least once daily to eliminate odour and keep your body clean. Showing also cleanses your body. More so, it also aids in relieving menstrual cramps and backaches and helps improve your mood. 

2. Change Pads and Tampons Regularly

You risk getting urinary tract infections when you use a sanitary towel or tampon for a long time. Since the organism thrives in warm and moist conditions for a long time, they multiply, leading to these infections. Also, please do change your pads or tampons; often, they irritate your skin or cause rashes.

The recommended time for a woman who has a regular flow to change a pad is after four to six hours. Note this applies even when you have a light flow. In addition, a person with a heavy flow should change sanitary towels after three to four hours. In case you’re using a tampon, change after six hours.

Changing the tampons or pads might be challenging because you can’t afford them. Then you should check in town for a free sanitary hub or get natural sanitary napkins.

3. Avoid Using Soap While Cleaning Your Vagina

Avoid using body wash or soap while washing your vagina and vulva since these are the most sensitive parts of your body. Using soap or scented soaps to clean your vagina can change the PH around the vaginal area: Which might lead to infections. Hence It will be best to use your hand and warm water  for washing your vagina.

4. Avoid Wearing Tight Clothes

The best inner clothes are the once made from cotton material since it’s breathable. Avoid wearing tight clothes and undergarments made from synthetic material, which can cause increased sweating and irritation on your skin. Also, when buying your pads go for cotton sanitary pads.

5. Use The Right Washing Method

When washing or wiping your vaginal area, start from front to back. Avoid cleaning in the opposite direction as it can expose your vagina to harmful bacteria from the anus, leading to infections.

6. Practice Safe Sex

If you’re going to have sex when on your periods, you must use protection such as a condom. When on your periods, you’re at a high risk of getting or transmitting infections such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through unprotected sex. Never use lubes when having sex on your periods as it can damage your vagina leading to diseases.

7. Dispose of Used Sanitary Products Properly

Wrap the pad/tampon well before you discard it; this will help curb the smell and spread of infections. Always wash your hands after disposing of the used sanitary products. Never flush the tampon or pad in the toilet, as it can cause the toilet to block. 

8. Clean Up After Intercourse

Every time you get intimate, always clean up your vagina. Because if you don’t, the body fluids and elements from the condom can lead to irritation which can, later on, develop into infections. Use warm water to clean up.

9. Keep The Undergarments Clean and dry 

Clean and dry pants aid in minimising irritation on your vagina. Cotton undergarments are the ones advised as they are breathable. As a woman, your undergarments are critical to enhancing your intimate hygiene.

Always remember to clean your vagina after urinating to avoid wetting your panties. Failure to do so can lead to foul odour and also infections. Then Use toilet paper or a soft cloth to wipe yourself.

10. Avoid Scented Feminine Products

Don’t let anyone deceptive products with fragrances will only do more harm than good. Please keep away from them. They can lead to irritation. Alternatively, use a non-scented or natural intimate wash of the correct PH value to clean and eliminate vaginal odour.

11. Use Soft, Dry Towels

After showing, use a soft and well-dried towel to dry yourself; avoid infections as bacteria stick on wet towels or washcloths. Change your towel after every three days. Wash your towels in lukewarm water with a mild soap. Dry it best in the sun if possible. Lastly, don’t share your towel.

12. Drink Up and Eat Healthily

Eating healthy and drinking enough water are vital for your health. Ensure you drink enough water to boost your body to flush out toxins, keeping your vagina clean and healthy.

13. Be Ready With Necessities During Your Periods

Be ready always. During your periods, carry extra pads or tampons, pocket tissue and hand sanitiser. You will need to have an extra pad since changing is vital. For wiping the pocket, the tissue will come in handy. Then the sanitiser to sanitise your hands after changing or wiping.

14. Don’t Ignore Signs of Vaginal Infections

Never assume any signs or symptoms of vaginal infections. When you see colored discharge, excess discharge, a foul odor discharge, or itchiness in your vagina, see a doctor immediately; it might be an infection, and if not treated, it can lead to diseases. Alternatively, you might also consider getting over-the-counter treatments like collagen support vaginal cream or boric acid vaginal suppositories from a pharmacy like Medivera Compounding Pharmacy, to help address the issue.

15. Don’t Wear Last Night Pajamas 

Avoid repeating your pyjamas because your body discharges fluids while sleeping, and they stick to your clothing. That is why your pajamas must wash them, and you get another pajama for the next day. Shower before bed and wear fresh night clothing; this will give you a clean feel and a healthy vagina.