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?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

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. Caredownthere.com.au
  7. Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
  8. Douching
  9. Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There
  10. Feminine Odor Problems? What You Should Know About Douching
  11. Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
  12. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
  13. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  14. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease
  15. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Patient Handouts
  16. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
  17. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  18. Menopause Management: Managing Vaginal Problems
  19. Menopause Patient Information: 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  20. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  21. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  23. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  24. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  25. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: New! Sexual Anatomy 101
  26. Prosayla Supported by ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  27. Self-Help Tips
  28. The Itchy Vulva [Video]
  29. The Vulva: Irritation, Diagnosis & treatment – Booklet
  30. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  31. Top Tips for Talking To Your Doctor
  32. Urogenital Problems
  33. Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
  34. Vaginal Discharge
  35. Vaginal Dryness
  36. Vaginal Dryness
  37. Vaginal Dryness: What To Do About It
  38. Vaginal Pain
  39. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  40. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  41. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  42. Video Series-2023
  43. Vulva and Vagina
  44. Vulva and Vagina
  45. Vulval Irritation
  46. Vulval and Vaginal Conditions
  47. Vulvar Awareness Day [18 September 2023]
  48. Vulvovaginal Health
  49. Webinars: Previous – Pay Attention on Your Way In! The Vulva Is An Important Organ Too
  50. Webinars: Previous – Sexual Health Issues in Menopause
  51. What Is Vaginal Steaming and Is It Safe?
  52. 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 September 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 September 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 September 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 September 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 September 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 September 2023
  7. Essential Information: Caring for Your Skin Down There – Cleansing. Caredownthere https://www.caredownthere.com.au/_pages/information_care.html Accessed: 16 September 2023
  8. Vulva and Vagina: What’s Normal? Smell. Last Updated: 05 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulva-and-vagina#whats-normal Accessed: 16 September 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 September 2023
  10. Vulva and Vagina: What’s Normal? Smell. Last Updated: 05 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 26 April 2023. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina/vulva-and-vagina#whats-normal Accessed: 16 September 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 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 16 September 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 September 2023

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by