Gynaecologist’s Top 10 Tips for a Happy & Healthy Vagina | How To Prevent Irritation & Infection | Gynaecologist available for comment

Nobody likes an unhappy vagina…but it’s important to remember that the skin around your vagina and vulva is incredibly sensitive and so can be easily irritated.

According to intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA’s UK resident Gynaechologist Dr Shree Datta, keeping your vagina happy and more importantly, healthy, is key to preventing irritation and infection.

Things that suggest you may have an infection or irritation down under include itching and noticeable changes in your vaginal discharge. 

So if you’re suffering from seemingly sad nether regions, check out Dr Shree Datta’s top 10 tips for maintaining a happy and healthy vagina:

 1. Wash your vagina and the vulva with warm water and pat dry gently with a clean towel. Internal “douching” isn’t needed as this can upset the natural balance of your vaginal flora. This can make you more prone to infections by changing the pH in your vagina. Remember, the vagina is actually designed to keep itself clean and produces natural discharge to help with this. 

2. Avoid perfumed soaps, gels and antiseptics; if you must use soap try and use unscented soaps and only on the outside of your vagina. 

3. Wear cotton underwear where possible and don’t forget to wash new underwear before putting them on. Cotton underwear is “breathable”, so you don’t harbour moisture, which can promote bacterial growth.

4. Avoid wearing tight thongs, or synthetic materials as these can irritate the skin around your vagina and cause a build-up of sweat and bacteria. Look at what detergent you are using to wash your underwear – try and use a mild detergent only. 

5. Try and use soft toilet tissue – ideally white, so that you can see if there is any abnormal discharge or bleeding on wiping.

6. Before having sex with a new partner, make sure you have both been tested for STIs, or use a condom. If you are treated for an infection, avoid sex until you have both completed the course of treatment. If you use sex toys, make sure you clean them after every use.

7. If you develop an abnormal discharge – with a change in colour or smell – visit your doctor early. Look at the consistency – if it looks like cottage cheese it could be thrush. Don’t forget that the nature of your discharge will change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

9. It’s fine to shave, but remember pubic hair reduces friction and chafing during sex. If you shave, shave in the direction of your pubic hair, not against it to prevent ingrown hairs from developing. 

10. Exercise regularly to maintain the tone of your pelvic floor muscles and the general health of your vagina. INTIMINA’s KegelSmart is perfect for exercising your pelvic floor.  

Dr Shree Datta adds: “Don’t forget to attend your smear test – this gives you the opportunity to have a checkup and talk to your doctor about any changes which you’ve noticed. This will help to detect a  problem early, so that it can be treated early and potentially prevent complications from developing.”

INTIMINA UK Marketing and Communications Manager Marcella Zanchi says; Intimate wellbeing is the cornerstone of INTIMINA’s brand policy. Our mission is to improve women’s intimate health one menstrual cup at a time, with products that promise no dryness or odour, just increased confidence and comfort with every wear.