As a woman, keeping your vagina clean and healthy should be your priority. You need to learn how to keep the vagina clean and healthy at all times. You should do this because it is not only healthy but keeps your underneath clean.

Before we go further, it is important we know that there is a difference between the vagina and the vulva. We need to know the part that really requires your attention. I mean the part that you need to regularly clean.

While the vagina is frequently used to refer to women’s Instruments, the correct term to use to describe all exterior sex organs is vulva.

The vulva is made up of the pubic mound, labia minora and labia majora, urethra and clitoris. On the other hand, the vagina is the internal muscular canal which connects the uterus to the vaginal opening.

Do You Need To Wash The Vagina Or The Vulva?

Now that you have known the difference between the vagina and the vulva, let’s get straight to which needs to be washed regularly.

The vagina itself is self-cleaning, that is, it doesn’t require you to wash it with chemical or anything. It is the vulva that requires your attention. It is the vulva that you need to wash to keep it clean and healthy.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your vagina cleanses itself and keeps itself healthy by preserving the appropriate pH balance and cleaning itself with natural secretions. This is one of the ways that your vagina maintains its health.

Your vagina are home to a large number of “healthy” bacteria. These bacteria keep the pH level in your vagina, which is often considered to be somewhat acidic, in the appropriate range.

Because of the acid nature of the vagina, “bad” bacteria have a more difficult time infecting your vagina.

The Danger In Washing The Vagina

As mentioned the earlier, the vagina contains friendly bacteria which helps it to clean the vagina clean and avoid bad odor from oozing out from it.

Washing the vagina with soaps, gels or spraying it is dangerous as the chemicals in contained in them kill these friendly bacteria which helps to keep the vagina clean.

This poses a great danger because when the ‘good’ bacteria are almost eliminated, you are indirectly paving way for the bad bacteria. These ‘bad’ bacteria easily suppress the ‘good’ bacteria and cause infections in the vagina which also affects the vulva.

Let’s dig more on the causes infection in the vagina and vulva.

What Causes Vaginal Infection?

The medical condition that causes inflammation or infection of the vagina is referred to as vaginitis. Vaginitis can be caused by a number of different disorders. The term ‘vulvovaginitis’ is used to describe inflammation of the vagina and vulva (the external part of your genitals).

The following are some of the most common causes of vaginal infections:

Bacterial infections – Bacterial vaginosis can be caused by an overgrowth of specific bacteria that are already present in the vaginal area of a woman.

Yeast infections – These are infections that are caused by a fungus known as Candida albicans.

Protozoan parasite – It can cause trichomoniasis, an infection of the vaginal canal.

Menopause – Menopause can cause vaginal atrophy, which can lead to a thinner and drier vaginal lining as a potential side effect.
Irritants – Some soaps, body washes, perfumes, and vaginal contraceptives have the potential to irritate the vaginal lining. Rashes and inflammation of the vagina can also be caused by clothing that is too tight.

What Is Feminine pH?

It is recommended that the pH of the vaginal or feminine fluids be between 3.8 and 4.5. The value of a substance’s pH indicates its level of acidity relative to its basicity. The range of pH values is from 0 to 14. Acidic substances have a pH value of less than 7, while basic substances have a pH value that is greater than 7.

Ideally, the pH of your vaginal fluid should be acidic. However, this value could display some variation before menstruation and after menopause respectively.

A vaginal pH level that is somewhat high, say about 4.5, creates the ideal environment for the development of vaginal infections.

How Often Should The Vulva Be Washed?

You should strive to wash the vulva frequently to keep your vulva and vagina clean and healthy. Wash your vulva everyday while bathing. Washing your vulva thrice a day, especially when you are in your period is hygienic. Wash it thoroughly with clean water. For more effectiveness, wash it with warm water. By washing the vulva with clean or preferably warm water, you are also keeping the vagina healthy.

What Feminine Wash Should I Use To Clean My Vulva Or Vagina?

A lot of people make the mistake of using feminine wash to wash their vagina. Though, some feminine wash are good for washing your vagina, you should take precaution by using warm water. You should be aware that some feminine wash contain chemicals that can kill or inhibit the growth of the ‘good’ bacteria in the vagina.

Never use soap or feminine wash to wash your vagina. Simply use warm water.

Using Sprays To Make Your Vagina Smell Nice

The vagina is self-cleaning, and the natural bacteria around the vagina help to give your vagina natural odor.

However, vaginal odor changes after having sex or during your period. During these periods, wash your vagina thoroughly with warm water. You may also wash it with mild soaps with lesser scents.

Do not complicate things by using sprays or scented soaps. The scents dry up the vagina and kill the natural bacteria aimed at protecting it.

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