VAGINAL AND VULVA CARE.

A lot of young ladies and even some adults don't know how to clean their vagina and there are a lot of questionable products and advice for vaginal wash out there.

Before we discuss how to clean the vagina, let me differentiate between the vagina and the vulva. Most ladies call the vulva the vagina.

A recent YouGov survey found that 45% of women could not label the vagina on a diagram, and more than half (52%) couldn't describe its function.

Vagina: The passage leading from the opening of the vulva to the cervix of the uterus for copulation and childbirth in female.

Vulva: This is the external part of your genitals i.e. your vaginal opening, your labia, clitoris and the opening of the urethra(where you urinate from).

In other words, the vagina is inside, the vulva is outside. Hope you get?

HOW DO YOU CLEAN?

According to Cleveland Clinic;

Note: Never wash your vagina even with water. The vagina cleanses itself. Just focus on the vulva as you wash gently.

1. Use warm water to wash the vulva. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel. (If the vulva is very irritated, you can try drying it with a blow dryer set on cool.)

2. The vagina cleanses itself naturally in the form of normal, vaginal discharge. Avoid using douches unless prescribed by your physician. These products can upset the natural balance of organisms.

3. Wear only white, 100 percent cotton underwear. Avoid wearing nylon, acetate, or other manmade fibers if you have delicate skin or are prone to vulva irritation.

4. Avoid wearing thongs.

5. Rinse underclothes carefully after washing or double-rinse. Avoid using too much laundry detergent.

6. Wash new underclothes before wearing.

7. Use a mild soap (such as Woolite®) for washing underclothes. Avoid fabric softeners (including dryer sheets) and detergents with enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease and cellulose).

8. Use soft toilet tissue (white only).

9. Use tampons instead of sanitary napkins to control menstrual bleeding. (Do not use deodorant tampons.) Do not leave tampons in for a long period, due to toxic shock syndrome. Do not leave tampons in all night.

10. Take sit baths daily, if prescribed by your healthcare provider.

11. Don't scratch.

12. Avoid wearing nylon pantyhose or panty girdles. They trap heat and moisture, providing an ideal breeding environment for organisms. When nylons or leggings are required, wear cotton or nylons with a cotton panty.

13. Avoid these feminine hygiene products, which can irritate the vulva: sanitary pads, feminine spray and deodorants, scented oils, bubble baths, bath oils, talc or powder.

Reference: Cleveland Clinic