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Vaginal care 18/F
So I've decided to take extra good care of my body, which includes eating healthy foods, remembering to take my dietary supplements, deep conditioning my hair, and flossing after lunch and dinner, and excercising. But also this includes taking care of my intimates. This is a subject I've never talked about with my mother, and I recently learned that washing the area with just plain water is not enough, you should use a mild soap on the external area. Well, I have been using a body wash, but I don't think it's meant to be used on the vaginal area. I have heard of Summer's Eve Feminine Wash, and that it is made especially for the area and doesn't irritate or upset the pH. Is this product a douche or a soap (internal or external)? Is it safe to use? What are some other ways I can keep the area clean, healthy and fresh?
Oh, and I do know about the yogurt trick (applying sugar free, fruit free, live culture yogurt internally to your vaginal canal to add more good bacteria to help clean it from the inside out and keep it healthy). I also know about the pineapple trick (eating it will make you taste better). Are there any more tips like this?
Oh and it is probably important to note that I do have a funky smell and sometimes a funky discharge (which doesn't depend on the time of month). However I am very sure I don't have an infection because I've had this ever since I hit puberty and I have never had any discomfort, itching, burning, or oddcolored discharge ever. I do swim, however, and I'm pretty sure that its the chlorine that threw my pH out of balance killing off the good bacteria, which is why I'm starting the yogurt treatment as soon as I buy some.
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Your vagina (barring any infections you may have) is specially made to create and maintain its own ph balance. Putting things into your vagina to clean it, or to 'replenish' good bacteria, can seriously upset the delicate balance and cause infections, odor, and irritation.
The best way to care for your lady bits? Wash once a day with a non-perfumed soap. Simple baby soap works fine. It is important to not wash more than this, as this can again upset your body's natural balances - and actually leave you with more unpleasant smells and, yes, irritation.
Wash along the outside bits, NOT the inside of your actual vagina. Be sure to rinse well.
If you have persistent bad smell that is more than you just worrying you don't smell right, it is best to see a doctor.
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just use soups with with no perfume in them
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Whoever told you that washing with plain water is not enough, was wrong. Completely and utterly wrong.
The vagina is self cleansing. If you are healthy, it will take care of its self without any interference. It's much cleaner then your mouth naturally.
The yogurt trick is only for when you think you have a mild yeast infection or other bacterial imbalance. It's not something you should do regularly. Done regularly it could cause imbalances, rather then stop them. Douching is even worse, there is no 'could' cause imbalances with it: eventually it will make you sick.
Please, please go to a doctor before you shove anything up yourself. A gyno exam is easily the most important part of defending your vagina's health. A degree of smell and discharge is perfectly healthy, and part of your bodies natural routine for cleansing itself. Your doctor can tell you if something seems off.
Unless you doctor tells you otherwise, the following is all you must do to keep your vagina clean and healthy:
Wash with water.
Pat dry. Don't rub or scratch.
Rinse off chlorine shortly after exciting the pool.
Do not wear a wet bathing suit longer then necessary
Wear cotton underwear when possible, especially at night,or no underwear at all when you are sleeping.
Do not use any perfumes or spray, that includes perfumed body washes, pads or soaps in that area. Remember: Just because the sell it doesn't mean it's good for you. Those products out there that claim to make the vagina smell nice and help you, are bad for you just like Twinkies are bad for you. Your body doesn't need or want it.
Have a check up and ask your doctors these questions too. I know they'll back me on the yogurt / douching thing and a regular check up is part of taking care of yourself anyways.
EDIT IN RESPONSE TO FEEDBACK:
I'm totally flabbergasted. I come from a family with two nurses in it, and my old family doctor went on to be the head of medicine at the local hospital, my new gyno is a head doctor at the woman's clinic: ALL of them have told me water only (obviously you can use gentle soaps on the outside lips and area) and absolutely no douching, no yongurt, no nothing, unless I have an infection... That's just really wierd to me you would have been told differently.
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