Girl Talk: Feminine Hygine

FEMININE HYGIENE

Vulva and vaginal basics

First things first: What is the vagina, what is the vulva, and what is the difference between the two? In medical terms, the vagina refers to the internal muscular tract extending from the cervix to the vaginal opening.

The vulva is the external part of the female genital tract, which includes:

-The inner and outer labia (labia minora and majora)

-The glans clitoris (the external part of the clitoris) and clitoral hood (the fold of skin protecting the glans clitoris)

-The vestibule (which surrounds the vaginal opening)

-The urethral opening

To maintain vulvar and vaginal health, a person must ensure that two important aspects remain balanced: their pH, which is a measurement that denotes something's acidity or alkalinity, and their bacterial balance.

Studies indicate that vulvar pH is usually 3.5–4.7, while vaginal pH varies according to a person's age and the stage of their menstrual cycle.

So, before a person reaches reproductive age and starts menstruating, their vaginal pH will be 7 (neutral), whereas a person of reproductive age may have a vaginal pH of 3.8–4.4. At menopause, depending on whether or not a person undertakes hormone replacement therapy, their vaginal pH may be 4.5–5 or 6.5–7.

No matter how comfortable we are with our bodies, we all have times where we question how we smell down there. You've likely thought to yourself at some point, "Do I smell normal?" "And what's normal anyway?"

Everyone's vaginas, even healthy ones, have their own special scent. Still, that below-the-belt area sometimes gets a bad rap. "People think the vagina is the dirtiest place on the planet," says Alyssa Dweck, MD, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Science at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V.

Vagina has particular smells, which vary from person to person, influenced by clothing's material, diet and how much you're hydrated. Education is important when it comes to feminine hygiene.

How does the vagina clean itself?

The vagina is able to remain clean due to natural secretions (also known as discharge), which are produced from the cervix.

Healthy discharge shouldn’t have a strong odour or colour. That said, the consistency of vaginal discharge will vary throughout the menstrual cycle, and the quantity may increase or decrease.

If you experience abnormal discharge, or it starts to smell, change colour, or cause an itch, you should see your doctor.

The vagina also contains bacteria, which help to prevent infection in a few different ways. Firstly, the good bacteria in the vagina usually outnumber any bad bacteria which enter the vagina. The good bacteria also maintain a healthy pH level in the vagina, produce types of natural antibiotics to kill or reduce the amount of bad bacteria, prevent bad bacteria from sticking to vaginal walls and invading that tissue.

Why are ‘feminine hygiene’ fads dangerous?

Feminine hygiene fads, such as douching, scented wipes, or vaginal deodorant, can be dangerous because they disrupt the good bacteria in the vagina, which creates an imbalanced environment.

If the pH level of the vagina is able to increase, the number of bad bacteria can also increase. This may lead to infections, including bacterial vaginosis and thrush.

Instead of douching or using scented wipes, gently wash the vulva with unscented soap and water everyday. You don’t need to wash the vagina, because it will clean itself.

How to keep your vagina healthy

Keep the vagina clean and dry

Cotton is breathable, making it an ideal fabric selection for underwear. It can down on moisture as it keeps your skin cool and dry. With breathable fabrics like cotton, you have a reduced risk of bacterial growth and infections. On the flip side, fabrics like satin retain moisture. That reduces airflow, creating irritation and friction. And that encourages yeast and bacteria growth, which can lead to infections. You should also change out of sweaty workout clothing and wet swimsuits to help prevention infections.

Don't douche

Your vagina knows how to take care of itself. It self-cleans and naturally produces some discharge that helps get rid of germs and bacteria from your body. So, douching or using harsh cleaners or soaps can disrupt your natural pH balance and can irritate your vagina and wash away good bacteria. Plus, douching will only mask the smell—not cure what's going on. For example, if your vagina smells like something rotting (such as rotten fish), you may have bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal infection. Stick with warm water and mild soap on the vulva, Dr. Dweck says. "You don't need to clean the inside of the vagina," she says.

Eat right

Maintaining a healthy diet can do your body and your vagina good. Foods like yogurt with live cultures contain good-for-you bacteria that help promote vaginal health. If you're prone to urinary tract infections, research in Archives of Internal Medicine suggests it may be helpful to take a cranberry supplement daily.

Use fresh towels

Wash and replace towel and washcloths after you use them. Reusing towels isn't wise because bacteria can cling to these surfaces. And that potentially puts you at risk for an infection.

Practice safe sex

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says that consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of any sexually transmitted diseases that are transmitted by genital fluids such a gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. However, condoms provide less protection against STDs spread through skin-to-skin contact like genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Stay clean

It sounds simple but it's important to wipe from front to back until the toilet paper shows no residue. That will help prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina. Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. If you're wearing panty liners, change them frequently. However, if you wear them all the time, you may have some irritation.

What to avoid in feminine hygiene products

Talc: Avoid powders such as talc or corn starch.

Shaving: Minimize (or avoid) shaving to care for delicate vulvar skin.

When to worry about your vagina

If you experience any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor. They could indicate a vaginal infection or another gynaecological condition:

-vaginal irritation

-changes to the quantity, colour, or smell of vaginal discharge

-redness around the vulva

-itching

-bleeding during or after sex

-pain during sex

-bleeding between periods

-bleeding after the menopause

-pain when peeing

REFERENCE:   https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325360.php

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ATTENTION!!

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Prepared by : Nur Hazida Binti Abdul Jabar / NurAin Amirah Bt Azman