- Vaginal Health
The Basic Rules of Genital Hygiene
As a pharmacist, genital hygiene is one of the subjects I talk about most often with my clients, but because it is still seen as a "taboo" in society, it is also one of the areas where mistakes are made most. Wrong cleansing habits can pave the way for disrupted vaginal flora, recurrent fungal infections (candidiasis) and bacterial vaginosis.
care with .ki2 min readContent principles
The Basic Rules of Genital Hygiene
1. pH Balance Is Everything
The vaginal area has a miraculous ecosystem that can clean itself. The pH of this area is acidic (about 3.8–4.5). Because ordinary soaps and shower gels are alkaline (high pH), they destroy this protective acid mantle.
- Our Advice: If a cleanser is used, choose a dermocosmetic liquid made specifically for the genital area that is pH-balanced and contains lactic acid. But washing the external genital area with lukewarm water alone is often the healthiest way.
2. Stay Away From Vaginal Douching
Washing the inside of the vagina with water or soap (vaginal douching) kills the beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli) there. This leaves you defenceless against infections. The vagina is like a "tunnel"; cleansing should be applied only to the entrance of the tunnel (the vulva).
3. The Right Wiping Technique
The simplest but most critical rule: always wipe from front to back. Otherwise, bacteria from the anal area will inevitably be carried to the genital area, inviting urinary tract infections (cystitis).
4. Cotton Underwear and Airflow
Synthetic fabrics (nylon, lace) trap moisture and stop the area from breathing. Damp, warm environments are fungi's favourite breeding grounds.
- Our Advice: Choose 100% cotton underwear in daily life. Avoid tight trousers and let the area breathe.
5. Period Hygiene
The pads and tampons used during your period are very favourable to bacterial growth once they come into contact with blood.
- Our Advice: Change your pads every 4–6 hours at the latest, without waiting for them to fill up. Avoid scented pads, because the chemicals in them can irritate the sensitive mucosa.
6. The Power of Probiotics
If you have recurrent infections, your flora balance may be disrupted.
- Our Advice: Supplements containing probiotic strains selected specifically for women's health (for example Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Lactobacillus reuteri) strengthen your defence mechanism by supporting the vaginal flora.
References
- ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): "Vaginitis: Causes and Treatments", Patient Education Pamphlet.
- WHO (World Health Organization): "Global strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections".
- Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease: "The Vaginal Microbiome and Its Role in Health and Disease".
- Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing: "Assessment and Management of Female Physiologic Processes".
