#How to clean your vag how to#

It may be self-cleaning, but you still have to clean the stove top.вЂќ Because the vagina contains a good amount of healthy bacteria - lactobacilli - it utilizes normal vaginal discharge to cleanse itself. вЂњI like to think of the vagina and vulva like your oven at home. Ross says that while itвЂ™s important to think internally, you canвЂ™t ignore whatвЂ™s going on outside. We also recommend you clean the outside of your vagina and never the inside.вЂќ

Planned Parenthood nurse practitioner Glory Guerrero shares her recommendations for clients: вЂњFor women who prefer to use soap, we always recommend non-scented soaps like Dove, Ivory, or Cetaphil, because scented products can alter the pH in our vagina. If you donвЂ™t use the proper kind of soap on your vagina, irritation can occur. But even though cleaning every day is important, she says it can also lead to over-washing your vagina in the process. In RossвЂ™ opinion, the exterior of the vagina should be cleaned daily. This could potentially lead to infections and itchiness. Ross, OB/GYN, author of She-ology and ambassador for feminine hygiene product brand SummerвЂ™s Eve, says that anything from using soaps that arenвЂ™t vagina-friendly to adding the wrong vaginal hygiene products to your shopping cart could disturb your vaginal pH balance without you realizing it. When it comes to cleaning, the type of soap you use is very important for your vaginal health. вЂњThe vulva or the outside female anatomy, like the labia, may be washed with gentle soap and water,вЂќ she says. Carolyn DeLucia, a partner at womenвЂ™s intimate health spa VSPOT, agrees something mild should be used. Look for a pH (potential hydrogen) between 5.3 вЂ“ 7.0.вЂќ You can do a vaginal pH test yourself at home by purchasing pH test strips, or make an appointment at your OB/GYN to get your pH level tested.Дr. Soap can be too drying, but some people do OK with liquid castile soap or glycerin soap. But if you must, use a mild, fragrance-free/unscented cleanser. Mary Bogle, pelvic floor physical therapist from Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, explains via email: вЂњIn general, the vulva (external genitalia) and vagina require very little washing.вЂќ She also stresses you should never resort to using scented products. If youвЂ™re curious about what classifies as the вЂњrightвЂќ way to clean the vagina, you have more options than you think.

Ads may make you feel like you need to buy special products to clean your vagina, but thatвЂ™s not necessarily the case.

#How to clean your vag how to#

As with anything else, thereвЂ™s so much information out there that could guide you in the wrong direction, like, for instance, the fact that even though you may wash up in the shower daily, you probably donвЂ™t know how to clean your vagina properly. When it comes to potential unfamiliar odors, extra moisture, and other issues that may occur in the vaginal area, itвЂ™s better to get answers on whatвЂ™s going on sooner rather than later.