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 smell change?

In Vulva and Vagina: What’s Normal? Smell [+ Image] the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“After menopause, the smell may be different to when you were having periods because the bacteria in your vagina changes at this time”.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 smell, or have symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, soreness, painful sex or pain when you wee, 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 A-Z 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

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 10 Embarrassing Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor
  2. 5 Common Problems ‘Down There’ — and Whether They Are Contagious
  3. 9 Tips To Keep Your Vagina and Vulva Healthy
  4. Are Probiotics Good for Vaginal Health?
  5. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
  6. Bacterial Vaginosis
  7. Bacterial Vaginosis
  8. Caredownthere.com.au
  9. Douching
  10. Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There
  11. FAQs: Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
  12. FAQs: Vulvovaginal Health
  13. Feminine Odor Problems? What You Should Know About Douching
  14. Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
  15. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
  16. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  17. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease
  18. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
  19. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
  20. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  21. Lichen Planus
  22. Lichen Planus
  23. Lichen Sclerosus
  24. Lichen Sclerosus
  25. Menopause Management: Managing Vaginal Problems
  26. Menopause Patient Information: 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  27. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  28. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  29. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  30. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  31. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  32. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: New! Sexual Anatomy 101
  33. Prosayla Supported by ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  34. Q&A: Normalize Seeking Proper Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosis, Treatment
  35. Self-Help Tips
  36. Sexual Problems and Menopause
  37. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  38. Top Tips for Talking To Your Doctor
  39. Urogenital Problems
  40. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  41. Vaginal Candiasis
  42. Vaginal Discharge
  43. Vaginal Discharge
  44. Vaginal Discharge
  45. Vaginal Dryness
  46. Vaginal Dryness
  47. Vaginal Dryness: What To Do About It
  48. Vaginal Pain
  49. Vaginal and Vulval Pain: Know the Different Causes and When To Seek Help
  50. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  51. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  52. Video Series-2023: Changes In Sexual Health After Cancer
  53. Vulva and Vagina
  54. Vulval Irritation
  55. Vulval Self-Checks: How To Get To Know Your Vulva and Why You Should
  56. Vulval and Vaginal Conditions
  57. Vulvar Awareness Day [18 September 2023]
  58. Vulvovaginal Thrush
  59. Webinars: Previous – Pay Attention on Your Way In! The Vulva Is An Important Organ Too
  60. Webinars: Previous – Sexual Health Issues In Menopause
  61. What Is Vaginal Steaming and Is It Safe?
  62. Why You Should Never Douche
  63. Yeast Infection (Vaginal)

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: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
  7. Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There – Cleansing. Caredownthere https://www.caredownthere.com.au/_pages/information_care.html Accessed: 04 April 2024
  8. Vulva and Vagina: What’s Normal? Smell. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulva-and-vagina#whats-normal Accessed: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
  10. Vulva and Vagina: What’s Normal? Smell. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulva-and-vagina#whats-normal Accessed: 04 April 2024
  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: 04 April 2024
Topic Last Updated: 21 April 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 April 2024

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