Importance of Intimate Hygiene for Women

Today women are playing various roles both in and outside the house and in daily life hustle, the proper feminine hygiene of women is often overlooked. While women today spend a lot on their facial care, make-up, and other grooming products, not much attention is being paid to the intimate areas. It is high time women realize that just like other parts of the body, a woman’s intimate area requires special care and attention. Women's vagina has an acidic pH which is more than the skin of the rest of the body, which helps to maintain good bacteria (such as lactobacilli) healthy and bad bacteria in check. Just the way our digestive system, which contains gut bacteria, the skin, and lining enclosing a woman’s intimate area contain good bacteria, that produces lactic acid who play a vital role to maintain a healthy environment and prevents the growth of “unfriendly” bacteria or yeast, which can cause infection. Ignoring to follow proper intimate hygiene habits can lead to upsetting this pH balance that can further lead to vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV). It is often seen that most women don’t consider intimate hygiene as separate from their regular hygiene routine. Nonetheless, proper intimate hygiene demands various habits and it’s crucial because your intimate area is sensitive and can be prone to infection.

One of the key features of personal hygiene is having a routine plan and maintaining it with absolute discipline. There are some of the areas you must take care of as a woman:

·       Change sanitary pads every 4-6 hours:

According to gynecologists, when sanitary napkins or tampons are not changed for a long time, it can lead to skin rashes, a bad odor and can also put you at risk of infections that is why it is strongly recommended that women should change a sanitary napkin every four-six hours. Although, if you have a heavy flow during menstruation then changing sanitary pads every 3-4 hours is a necessity. In the case of using tampons, you must change them every six hours without fail and wash the area every time you visit a washroom during menstruation. We highly recommend that you use biodegradable sanitary napkins that are made entirely made up of organic cotton. Pee Safe's new addition to a well-rounded range of feminine hygiene products is 100% organic cotton, biodegradable sanitary pads to ensure your direct contact with the biodegradable pad is safe, secure, and provides you with comfort all day long.

·       Reusable Hygienic Menstrual Cup:

Menstrual cups are one of the simplest alternatives to regular sanitary napkins and tampons. The Menstrual cup is a flexible cup not that only gives you more freedom to move around but also helps in promoting environment-friendly uses as you ditch non-biodegradable sanitary pads. Instead of absorbing your blood flow, sort of a sanitary pad collects the menstrual flow blood. This next-generation feminine hygiene product provides hassle-free menstrual care for up to 12 hrs. A single menstrual cup can last close to 2 years if taken care of properly!

·        Wear dry and clean undergarments:

Underwear keeps our vagina dry and clean and gives comfort. Not drying the vaginal area after urinating can make the panties get wet, which can put you at a high risk of vaginal infections. While wearing underwear has a plethora of benefits maintaining underwear hygiene is even more important–as it prevents any microbe or bacteria from accumulating in and around the vagina. Hence, it is always advised to wipe the area using toilet paper or soft cloth so your underwear is always dry. This also helps in preventing any bad odor and itchiness.

·       Soaps are big NO while washing your vagina:

The skin in your intimate area needs special attention, mainly when it comes to hygiene. The intimate area has a pH that is different from the rest of the body. Washing with regular soaps can actually lead to a pH imbalance, making you more prone to vaginal infections. It is highly advised to avoid using harsh soaps or scented soaps to clean the vagina as it has toxic chemicals such as glycerol, artificial scents, and antiseptics that can harm the healthy balance of the bacteria in the vagina. It can cause irritation and lead to the growth of unhealthy bacteria.

·       Practice safe sex:

Unprotected sex brings the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, warts, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is advisable to use protection such as condoms every time you have sex is one of the simplest and effective ways to prevent STIs and vaginal infections and unwanted pregnancies. But before you use one, check if you are allergic to the material of the condom and pick the one that suits you.

Every woman should understand and follow these basic feminine hygiene tips to ensure a healthy vagina. Do share this information with all your friends to spread awareness including your daughters. Because knowing these tips right from puberty can make a huge difference in overall health and wellness.