No matter how comfortable we are with our bodies, we all have times when we wonder how "out there" feels. You've probably thought at some point, "Do I smell normal?" And what is normal anyway?
Education is important when it comes to feminine intimate hygiene. You've probably discovered your body from a variety of sources: school, the internet, your best friends, your mother. However, chances are that some feminine hygiene skills have never been taught to you or have evolved over time. Read on for some helpful tips.
Keep your private parts clean and dry
Cotton is a breathable material, which makes it the ideal fabric for underwear. It helps reduce the moisture between your legs and keeps your skin cool and dry. With breathable fabrics like cotton, you have a reduced risk of bacterial growth and infections.
On the other hand, fabrics like satin retain moisture. Indeed, it reduces the flow of air, creating irritation and friction. And it promotes the growth of yeast and bacteria that can lead to infections. After sports sessions, also remember to change your clothes and take a good shower. Indeed, the sweat that remains on clothes and skin is a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria.
Don't Douche
Your vagina knows how to take care of itself. It is self-cleaning and naturally produces discharge that helps eliminate germs and bacteria from your body. So, douching or using harsh cleansers or soaps can upset your natural pH balance and can irritate your vagina and wash out the good bacteria.
Also, douching will only mask the smell but won't cure infections. For example, if your vagina smells like rotten fish, you might have bacterial vaginosis, which is a common vaginal infection. Apply warm water and mild soap to the vulva. You don't need to clean the inside of the vagina.
Eat well
Eating a healthy diet can be good for your body and your vagina. Foods like yogurt with live cultures contain healthy bacteria that help promote vaginal health.
If you're prone to urinary tract infections, research in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that taking a cranberry supplement daily may be helpful.
Use clean towels
Wash and replace towels and washcloths after using them. It is not a good idea to reuse towels because bacteria can cling to their surfaces. And it will potentially put you at risk of infection.
Have safer sex
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention state that the correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases transmitted by genital secretions such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
However, condoms offer less protection against STDs transmitted through skin-to-skin contact such as genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis, says the US Food and Drug Administration.
When condoms don't protect against STDs, it's usually because they're being used incorrectly. For example, some people use a condom just during ejaculation or sometimes have sex without a condom. Also remember to put a condom on sex toys, as some infections can be transmitted by these sex toys. Clean toys with soap and water if the product allows before and after each use.
Is there anything else you should avoid doing or using?
To be very clear: anything marketed as “feminine hygiene” should be banned. Ditto for all products that claim to rebalance the pH. The vulva does not need to be pH balanced, and the vagina is able to manage its own pH. In addition to all the advice given above, don't forget that it is very important to consult your gynecologist regularly. Please do this at least once a year to ensure your good health.
This is why, at OKHAMARE, you will find the intimate gel with khamaré and tahara, made from natural plants. You will also find natural plants such as djeka leaves and khamaré, for good intimate hygiene.