{"id":2671,"date":"2022-05-17T10:25:42","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T10:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toplinemultist.wpengine.com\/theme4\/?p=2671"},"modified":"2022-05-17T10:25:42","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T10:25:42","slug":"5-tips-for-improving-vaginal-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/2022\/05\/17\/5-tips-for-improving-vaginal-health\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips For Improving Vaginal Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not that difficult to maintain good vaginal health. The most important thing is to listen to what your body tells you and go for regular visits to the gynecologist. In all honesty, when it comes to how to maintain a healthy vagina (and vulva), there are no special requirements or products involved. The most important thing is to have proper vagina hygiene practices and know the basic do\u2019s and don\u2019ts for optimal<\/span> vaginal health<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Difference Between Vagina and Vulva<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before we start discussing how to maintain a healthy vagina, it\u2019s important to understand what\u2019s a vagina and what\u2019s a vulva. Surprisingly, a lot of women tend to confuse the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

Essentially, the vulva is the outer part of the female genitalia, the part that is visible. That said, it consists of the vaginal and urinary openings, urethra, labia, clitoris, and pubic mound.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the vagina is not visible. It\u2019s basically the inner canal that connects the vulva and cervix and then the uterus. Women menstruate and give birth through the vagina.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Maintain a Healthy Vagina<\/b><\/h2>\n

Now that we differentiated vagina and vulva, we\u2019ll go through the best practices for optimal vaginal health.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Keep Your Vulvovaginal Area Clean<\/b><\/h3>\n

When best vagina hygiene practices are concerned, you should make sure to clean the vulva every day with warm water and, if you want, a very mild and gentle soap that\u2019s hypoallergenic. Never use a loofa or washcloth on your genital area, just your hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the vagina is self-cleaning. Therefore, don\u2019t try to clean the inside of your genitals.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, you should never use scented soaps and gels or harsh scrubs on your genitals if you want to have a healthy vagina. These products can mess up the natural pH balance, triggering an infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the<\/span>i\u00a0mportant thing here is to know your natural smell. The vagina is not a flower, nor is it meant to smell like one. But, if you suddenly notice that your natural odor has changed and the smell is even accompanied by discomfort, itching, and\/or burning, make sure to schedule a visit to your gynecologist. You can always count on Dr. TaiSenChoy-Bent<\/a> for all your gynecological matters and concerns.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the biggest rule of proper vagina hygiene is to first wipe in the front and then in the back after using the toilet. The opposite can easily move the bacteria to the urethra, thus triggering a urinary tract infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Female<\/p>\n

2. You Should Stop Douching<\/b><\/h3>\n

Douching might seem like a good practice for good vaginal health, but it\u2019s actually quite the opposite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If douching has been prescribed to you as a treatment for some vaginal health issue, then it\u2019s perfectly fine to practice it for the amount of time the doctor recommended. However, you shouldn\u2019t try to douche on your own as a part of your regular vaginal health routine. This can only affect your pH levels and wash away the good bacteria in the vagina. That way, you\u2019ll be more prone to infections and irritations.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Practice Clean Sex<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s only natural to want to enjoy sex to the fullest. Therefore, it\u2019s perfectly fine to make the most out of available products for sexual pleasure. Still, if you want to have a healthy vagina and vulva, you should pay attention to some things. For instance, if you plan to use a lubricant, make sure to avoid those that contain potentially harmful ingredients such as:<\/span><\/p>\n