It is the desire of every woman to have a clean vagina all year round because it adds to their allure, comeliness, sexiness, and self-confidence, so some women invest benightedly in a variety of vaginal hygiene products to achieve this. This is because many of them are oblivious or incurious about the vagina being a self-cleansing organ.
Though there is a gamut of products purportedly said to be vaginal cleansing, but the fact is that it is unnecessary to go beyond the ordinary to achieve proper vaginal and even vulva care. But it is mandatory that any woman should meticulously monitor and maintain the healthiness and cleanliness of their vulva and vagina at all times.
To start with, the vulva is the outermost part of the female genitalia. It includes the opening of the vagina (vestibule) as well as that of the urethra, also the clitoris, the inner lips (labia minora), and the outer lips (labia majora). The vagina, on the other hand, is what connects the vulva to the cervix and ultimately to the uterus, it is the vagina that forms the canal for the passage of menstrual blood during menstruation and a baby/babies during childbirth.
As ludicrous as it may sound, the cleaning of the vulva and vaginal is a simple task that involves the use of the fingers (not a sponge etc.) to wash the vulva using either cold or lukewarm water (soap is optional but only gentle soap if soap must be used).
Naturally, the vagina cleanses itself by producing some discharges, so there is no extra need to wash the vagina after washing the vulva. This is necessary so as not to end up altering the delicate pH balance of the vagina, which if done may lead to irritation and infection of the vagina and even of the vulva.
The vaginal canal, aside from self-cleaning itself, is also lined with mucous membrane and some bacteria known as the vaginal microbiome. These are both responsible for the protection of the vagina from infections. More specifically, it is the lactobacilli in the vaginal microbiome that maintain the ideal pH balance that discourage the growth of the bacteria capable of causing vaginal infections.
The use of vaginal hygiene products claiming to clean, freshen and balance the vagina are rather deleterious than achieving those unfounded claims that their manufacturers market them as having. Just imagine why there are no penile hygiene products, are men God’s special creations?
Hence, products like vaginal washes, wipes, deodorants and douches are unnecessary and are the reason why some women, especially those that indulge in the practice of vaginal douching, are always having vaginal infections. Additionally, these products also hinder the God-given ability of the vaginal to clean itself.
It is not out of a place for a vagina to have an odor even when clean. This odor, though never as comely as in a rose garden but is characteristic of a normal vagina, albeit, there is no unique vaginal smell since vaginal smell changes with each stage of the menstrual cycle. This is because the vagina’s bacterial make-up changes in response to pH and hormones. Hence, a vagina smells stronger during the ovulation period, when there is more cervical mucus produced, than during any other stage of the menstrual cycle.
The odor of a vagina may also be from the use of some certain contraceptives such as the combined contraceptive pill. Sperm (semen) coming in contact with the vagina may also alter vaginal smell because of the alkaline pH of the semen alters the pH of the vagina. Also, like the armpit having a pungent smell after sweating, sweat can also make the crotch smells pungently. Thus, it is only when the vagina is infected that the way it smells should become worrisome and medical help sought.
In conclusion, it is good to also point out that vaginal hygiene also encompasses some things to always remember. Remember! Change tampons every four hours.
Remember!! Always wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.
Remember!!! Nothing that goes near the anus should ever come into contact with the vagina.
Remember!!!! Urinate immediately after sex to prevent urinary tract infections.
Remember!!!!! Always wear cotton underwear to prevent warm and damp conditions that are ideal for bacteria growth.
Remember!!!!!! Avoid wearing sweaty clothes for too long.
Remember!!!!!!! Always seek medical professionals’ help when the vaginal infection is suspected.
