As the old saying goes, “health is wealth”- and it is. When we think of health, we don’t really think about vaginal and vulva (clitoris, clitoral hood, and inner and outer labia) health. Sure, we know the basics of vaginal health such as cleaning (EXTERNALLY) with water and mild soap, but what else do we need to know? Continue reading for the dos and don’ts for how to properly take care of your vagina and vulva.

1. Don’t: Douche

There are multiple ways to clean your vagina- douching is not one of them. Douching refers to the cleaning of vaginal bacteria using an insertive tool filled with water, vinegar, and other materials. Douching is frowned upon because it does more harm than good. It has been linked to causing infections such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. The vagina is self-cleaning; don’t help it out by adding harmful materials inside.

Do: Use a pH-balancing feminine wash

Although the vagina is self-cleansing, the vulva is not so take the extra step to cleanse down there. If you want a soap that will gently cleanse your vulva, brands like The Honey Pot have plenty to choose from! Make sure the soap is low in fragrance (or fragrance-free), pH-balancing, and has no parabens or sulfates.

2. Don’t: Insert vaginal (yoni) pearls

For the love of everything that is holy, do not insert vaginal pearls into your vagina! Vaginal pearls are rumored to help with cleansing and detoxing the vagina. There are currently no reports showing the benefits of using vaginal pearls.

Do: See an OBGYN

There are seven kinds of smells that help indicate your vagina’s health: tangy/fermented, metallic/coppery, sweet, ammonia, skunky/smoked earthy, fishy, and rotten. If you find your vagina to smell rotten or fishy, see a doctor immediately as this could be a sign of an infection, STD, or a leftover object. If you find your vagina to have an ammonia-like smell, you may have a buildup of urine in your underwear or around your vulva. In some cases, an ammonia-like smell can indicate signs of bacterial vaginosis.

3. Don’t: Use baby oil as lubricant!

When it comes to lubricants, stay away from the baby oil. Baby oil has been known to cause infections in partners when having sex. Additionally, vaseline is not a good lubricant as it can trap bacteria and has been recorded to cause bacterial vaginosis in women.

Do: Go for water-based or natural lubricants

The best types of lubricants to use are water-based and silicone-based lubricants. If you prefer to use natural lubricants, coconut oil and raw aloe vera are some of the top natural lubricants to use. When it comes to using coconut oil, you do not want to be using a latex condom as coconut oil can cause the condom to break.

4. Don’t: Exfoliate your vulva with regular body scrubs.

Do you ever get those painful red bumps and ingrown hairs after shaving? If you’ve said yes, then you might not be exfoliating with the right products before and after you shave. If you’re using regular body scrubs to exfoliate your vulva, you might be causing the pores to clog and irritating the skin due to the ingredients.

Do: Exfoliate with acids and vulva-friendly exfoliating products.

It has been said that using BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) like salicylic acid and glycolic acid can help prevent ingrown hairs and reduce inflammation. So, you can look for scrubs or body washes that have BHAs or AHAs in them to help exfoliate your vulva. In some instances, you can use products with benzoyl peroxide to help control your ingrown hairs. Remember, when you are exfoliating down there, try to use products that are low in (or have no) fragrance to prevent irritation.

For the Love of Intimacy Overview

The vagina is self-cleansing; it does not need your assistance. Your vulva, on the other hand, will need all the help it can get. When it comes to vaginal health, it’s important to not use products that will cause an infection or irritate your skin. Have a good diet, hygiene, and a great sense of self to keep your flower happy. You only get one vagina and vulva, so why not take care of them in the best way possible?

For the Love of Intimacy is a biweekly segment that shines a light on conversations dealing with love, sex, and intimacy. The purpose of this segment is to inform those looking for advice and information concerning love, intimacy, kinks, and more. This segment is meant to be nonjudgmental and inclusive.

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