Vaginal and Vulval Hygiene

“It is best to let your vagina clean itself. The vagina
cleans itself naturally by making mucous. The mucous
washes away blood, semen, and vaginal discharge”.1

Umbrella

What may the Vaginal and Vulval Hygiene Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Genital Care/Health/Hygiene
  • Vaginal Care/Health/Hygiene
  • Vulval Care/Health/Hygiene

Self-Cleaning

Is the vagina self-cleaning?

In Douching: What Is the Best Way To Clean My Vagina? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov elaborate on:

“It is best to let your vagina clean itself. The vagina cleans itself naturally by making mucous. The mucous washes away blood, semen, and vaginal discharge”.2

Douching

What is douching?

DotS the definition of douching may vary. In Feminine Odor Problems? What Every Woman Needs To Know the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“The term, douche, which means “to wash” or “to shower” in French, refers to cleansing the vagina using a solution of water mixed with another fluid — often vinegar, baking soda or some sort of perfume”.3

In Douching: What Is Douching? Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“The word “douche” means to wash or soak. Douching is washing or cleaning out the inside of the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. Most douches are sold in stores as prepackaged mixes of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. The mixtures usually come in a bottle or bag. You squirt the douche upward through a tube or nozzle into your vagina. The water mixture then comes back out through your vagina”.4

Bath/Shower

Is douching different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower?

In Douching: What Is Douching? Womenshealth.gov’s explain:

“Douching is different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower. Rinsing the outside of your vagina with warm water will not harm your vagina. But, douching can lead to many different health problems”.5

Why Not

Why should women not douche?

In Douching: Why Should Women Not Douche? the Womenshealth.gov elaborate on:

“Most doctors recommend that women do not douche. Douching can change the necessary balance of vaginal flora (bacteria that live in the vagina) and natural acidity in a healthy vagina.

A healthy vagina has good and harmful bacteria. The balance of bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment. The acidic environment protects the vagina from infections or irritation.

Douching can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If you already have a vaginal infection, douching can push the bacteria causing the infection up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious health problem.

Douching is also linked to other health problems”.6

Keeping Clean

How may women keep their vagina clean?

In Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There – Cleansing the (Australian) Caredownthere elaborate on:

Vaginal and Vulval Hygiene “Just in case you have been wondering if your vulval problem is happening because you aren’t washing enough….you don’t have a hygiene problem. Using soap, particularly if this is done frequently, will in fact make your skin more sensitive. It is best to avoid soap, particularly perfumed liquid soaps, abrasive washes and wet wipes. A soap substitute, available from your chemist, or simply soaking in a bath with a couple of handfuls of ordinary salt thrown in is the best way to clean vulval skin”.7

Postmenopause Odour

Postmenopause or after menopause, may vaginal odour change?

In Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour [+ Image] the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“After menopause, odour may change as the bacteria in the vagina also changes. The odour will be different compared to when you were still having periods”.8

In Feminine Odor Problems? What Every Woman Needs To Know the Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Lack of estrogen can be the cause if you’re past menopause and are experiencing vaginal odor. Your doctor will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and discuss treatment options”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I am worried about what is going on down there?

If you are worried about what is going on down there, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The JH note:

“If you are worried about the odour of your vulva and vagina, and/or have symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, soreness, painful sex or painful urination, see your doctor”.10

In Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Consult your health care provider if you notice:

  • A change in the color, odor or amount of vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal redness or itching
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause
  • A mass or bulge in the vagina
  • Pain during intercourse”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to the Vaginal and Vulval Hygiene?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vaginal and Vulval Hygiene?

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Links

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New or Updated

  1. 9 Tips To Keep Your Vagina and Vulva Healthy
  2. Are Probiotics Good for Vaginal Health?
  3. Caredownthere.com.au
  4. Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
  5. Douching
  6. Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There
  7. Feminine Odor Problems? What You Should Know About Douching
  8. Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
  9. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
  10. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  11. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease
  12. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
  13. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
  14. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  15. Menopause Management: Managing Vaginal Problems
  16. Menopause Patient Information: 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  17. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  18. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  19. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  20. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  21. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  22. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: New! Sexual Anatomy 101
    Self-Help Tips
  23. The Itchy Vulva [Video]
  24. The Vulva & Vagina Fact Sheet
  25. The Vulva: Irritation, Diagnosis & treatment – Booklet
  26. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  27. Top Tips for Talking To Your Doctor
  28. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  29. Urogenital Problems
  30. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  31. Vaginal Discharge
  32. Vaginal Dryness
  33. Vaginal Dryness
  34. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  35. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  36. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  37. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation
  38. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: What You can Do To Look After Your Vulva [+ Video]
  39. Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
  40. Vulvovaginal Health
  41. Webinars: Previous – Sexual Health Issues in Menopause
  42. What Is Vaginal Steaming and Is It Safe?
  43. Why You Should Never Douche

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted:

Sources

  1. Douching: What Is the Best Way To Clean My Vagina? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 16 March 2023
  2. Douching: What Is the Best Way To Clean My Vagina? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 16 March 2023
  3. Feminine Odor Problems? What Every Woman Needs To Know. 10 June 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/feminine-odor-problems-what-you-should-know-about-douching/ Accessed: 16 March 2023
  4. Douching: What Is Douching? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 16 March 2023
  5. Douching: What Is Douching? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 16 March 2023
  6. Douching: Why Should Women Not Douche? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed: 16 March 2023
  7. Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There – Cleansing. Caredownthere https://www.caredownthere.com.au/_pages/information_care.html Accessed: 16 March 2023
  8. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour. Last Updated: 11 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 09 April 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 16 March 2023
  9. Feminine Odor Problems? What Every Woman Needs To Know. 10 June 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/feminine-odor-problems-what-you-should-know-about-douching/ Accessed: 16 March 2023
  10. Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour. Last Updated: 11 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 09 April 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 16 March 2023
  11. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 16 March 2023
Topic Last Updated: 16 March 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 March 2023

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