In a woman’s life, her reproductive health is important. You need to keep the system running smoothing, but not everyone receives a memo on how to. Things get especially tricky when the discussion focuses on vaginal valvular health, in particular.
Due to the element of shame, or perhaps the taboo nature of the topic, it is seldom discussed as to how to keep your vagina and vulva healthy.
If you don’t cater to their wellbeing, it can then lead to problems like infections and diseases, that then merit the intervention of a gynecologist in Karachi then.
So, to help you keep your lady parts and by extension, the rest of the body healthy, you need to follow some simple tips –thank us later!
Tips on keeping your vagina and vulva healthy
Make sure you eat right
You are what you eat, in entirety. So, rest assured, a poor diet will also have a negative impact on the health of your nether regions as well.
For example, consuming too much sugar can upset the flora of your vagina; when the excess sugar is passed out of the body, the yeast feeds off of it, disturbing the balance then.
Moreover, it can also have an impact on the pH of the vagina as well. Result, infections, and irritations. Moreover, as sugar promotes inflammation in the body, it also negatively affects the immune system. So, essentially, you have a double whammy.
Hence, make sound dietary choices. Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Cut back on sugar and other refined carbohydrates. For to keep your body health, eat food high in antioxidants.
Do not douche your vagina
Douching is the action of cleaning the vagina using water, or other cleaning agents like soap, baking soda or vinegar. The exercise involves putting the cleaning fluid inside of the vagina using means like a tube or a nozzle. The mixture then exits due to the pull of gravity.
However, this cleaning activity is entirely unnecessary. Vagina is known as a ‘self-cleaning organ,’ so no external help is required if that’s your purpose of douching.
Some women might also turn to this activity to prevent pregnancy; unfortunately, douching is no form of contraception. Similarly, some also turn to it for preventing STIs –sexually transmitted infections. However, STIs can only be prevented with by condoms or no sex, douching does not help at all.
Practice safe sex
For to keep your vaginal healthy, you must be very safe when practicing sex, if you and your partner have not gotten and STI panel testing done.
It is best to wear a condom, since it also protects against STIs alongside being a form of birth control.
Make smart clothing choices
When you dress, also think about your vagina and vulva as well. If your clothes are super tight, it will create moisture –think sweat –that can promote conditions for the yeast and fungi to flourish.
Similarly, wear an easily drying underwear, otherwise, if it remains damp for longer periods of time, it can create favorable conditions for the yeast to grow.
So, make sure that you wear breathable clothes and be considerate of their fabric. In the aftermath of exercise and swimming, be quick in changing to clean and dry clothes and undergarments.
Visiting your gynecologist
Infections of the nether regions are common in women. For to prevent further issues, it is best that you report to your doctor whenever you suspect an infection. To prevent bacterial vaginosis, you can use prebiotics available in the market.
Note, it will smell, and that’s okay
Some women are ashamed by the vaginal odor. Just like the rest of your body excretes different fluids and have an odor, so does the vaginal. There should not be any shame in this matter.
However, if you observe any change in the odor, or if it smells bad like a fishy smell, it may be a sign of an infection. It is thus recommended that you immediately consult your gynecologist, Dr. Saima Zaki.
