Care For Vagina And Steps You Can Take To Protect Vaginal Health

All women should be concerned about their vaginal
health. A healthy vagina is naturally acidic and
contains rich quantities of beneficial bacteria that
help fend off infections and maintain a normal pH
level. A healthy vagina will also secrete small
amounts of discharge to keep itself clean, much as
saliva is produced to help cleanse your mouth. Any
interference with these normal conditions and you
may face vaginal irritation or infection. Here’s how to
keep your vagina healthy.

Douching can interfere with the vagina's pH levels,
reducing its acidity and setting the stage for
bacterial infections. Normally, vaginal pH is about 3.8
to 4.5. If your vagina has a strong or unpleasant odor,
see your doctor; a douche will only cover up the smell
without curing the problem that's causing it. Avoid
using harsh soaps or cleansers on the vulva or inside
the vagina, as these also can affect a healthy pH
balance.
You may not realize it, but a balanced, nutritious diet
and drinking plenty of fluids are key to vaginal and
reproductive health. In fact, certain foods may be
effective in treating vaginal health problems.
Cranberry juice and yogurt can potentially help
prevent yeast infections and aid in their treatment.
And if you experience vaginal dryness, ask your
doctor if you should eat more soya product, which
contain a weak form of estrogen that can aid natural
lubrication.
Using condoms during sex helps to protect against
sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, genital
herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, and
chlamydia. Some of these diseases, like HIV and
genital herpes, have no cure. And others, like the
human papillomavirus that causes genital warts, are
also known to cause cancer or lead to other diseases.
You should change condoms when switching from
oral or anal sex to vaginal sex, to prevent the
introduction of harmful bacteria into the vagina.
Having regular gynecological exams is crucial to
maintaining your vaginal health. Every woman
should have her first gynecological exam by age 21
or within three years of becoming sexually active.
Gynecologists and many family physicians are
trained to diagnose diseases and disorders that can
harm the vagina or your reproductive system as a
whole. Gynecologists also perform Pap smears, which
can detect changes in vaginal cells that might
indicate the presence of cancer.
Three types of vaginal infections are common: yeast
infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis.
Yeast infections are caused by several types of fungi,
while bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria
overgrowth in the vagina. Trichomoniasis is sexually
transmitted. Treating these infections is crucial
because not treating them can lead to unpleasant,
painful, and serious reproductive health problems. All
three are can be treated with oral or topical
medications.
Lubrication is an important part of intercourse.
Without it, the skin of the labia and vagina can
become irritated and chafed, sometimes to the point
of breaking. While vaginal lubrication usually occurs
naturally during female arousal, some women do not
produce enough natural lubricant. In this case,
women should use an artificial lubricant to reduce
friction and irritation, and to enhance pleasure. Avoid
petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) and other oil-based
products for this purpose because they can cause
latex in condoms to break down and also might
cause infection.
Your vagina should stay clean and dry — and what
you wear can affect that. Certain types of fabrics and
styles worn close to the genitals can increase heat
and moisture, potentially leading to bacteria
overgrowth and infections. Wear cotton underwear
during the day, and avoid thongs. Try not to wear
tight-fitting clothing, and change out of wet
swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes as quickly as
possible.
Common sense can go a long way in protecting the
health of your vagina. After a bowel movement, wipe
from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination of
the vagina and to lower the risk of bladder infection.
Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly during
your period. When you're not having your period, do
not use pads or panty liners to absorb normal vaginal
discharge; they will keep moisture and warmth near
your vagina, which can result in infection.
9. Work it out
Doing kegels is crucial for strengthening your pelvic
floor muscles, which are key in producing stronger,
mind-blowing orgasms—not to mention bladder
control. Note to self: Include kegels in every work out.
Source: Everyday Health