Maintaining vaginal health looks so complicated from the endless diagnosis and treatments found online. Here we will discuss simple care without investing a lot of your time and money.
Looks - does it matter? Well, being confident applies here too. Be comfortable with yourself and admire your beauty. Love yourself and your body will love you back.
Smell - The vagina has its own natural smell and if you think the smell is getting stronger, then it must be an infection or simple irritation by fabrics, friction, products, etc. Avoid fragrance soaps or intimate washes, instead, just wash it with clean or lukewarm water after every bathroom visit and use unscented soaps during your bath. Make sure to dry it off properly after every wash as bacterial growth is very easy with its warm moist nature.
Discharge - This is a normal phenomenon until it gets too heavy and you need to keep changing your innerwear or pantyliner. When heavy discharge comes with smell, unusual color, texture and sometimes with pain, your body is trying to say something, listen and try to understand how it works. It might be from simple irritation to infection or any other underlying cause.
Itching - Itching can be caused due to various reasons or from just a simple irritation after shaving, waxing, or after a rough activity or sexual intercourse causing more friction.
Look out for infection as it may cause changes in smell, discharge, itching and even pain in your pelvic areas. It is one of the most common problems that women of all age groups face. If your irritation or infection is not reducing, then it is best to consult an expert right away.
Remember to follow these simple tips for a better vaginal health:
Let it breathe - Wear cotton panty, keep it dry and clean. Avoid those tight undies and pants if possible.
Let it self clean and help her along with it, don't go extreme! - Do not use harsh products, douching (spray or shower with water), etc. She has her own ability to clean herself. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do anything. Wash it with normal water and use unscented soap during bath. Intimate wash is not always necessary.
Support her - Drink lots of water, eat lots of fruits and veggies, have natural probiotics like curds, kefir (fermented milk drinks) to balance the good bacteria and defense against infection. Coconut water is good for hydrating and flushing out bacteria.
Practice good hygiene and safe sex - Using protection will not only protect you from STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), but also from unwanted pregnancy. You will also have lesser post-sex discharge, itching (sometimes with unpleasant smell) as it might disturb your normal vaginal flora.
Lastly for the looks - Massage the surrounding area including your pelvic with coconut oil to increase blood circulation and to keep it healthy. It will also improve your overall reproductive health.