The value placed on good personal hygiene is deserving. Acquiring and maintaining good personal hygiene practices offers several benefits to individuals. First, good hygienic practices safeguard your health.
When you observe hygienic practices, such as washing your hands regularly, you reduce the number of germs you are transferring to surfaces. The simple act will slow down the multiplication of germs. Therefore, this will reduce your chances of falling ill and contracting viruses.
Good personal hygiene also boosts your confidence and self-esteem. You will be more comfortable interacting with people when you do not have to worry about your hygiene. The confidence will also positively impact how people respond to you.
However, proper hygiene also includes good vaginal health. Yet, the very talk about our genitals is considered taboo in many places. Because of this, women tend to keep their vaginal issues to themselves.
We should talk about vaginal health often. In fact, it is discovered that at least two-thirds of millennial women have felt insecure about their vaginal scents. Because of this, they tend to be less confident.
Being open about the topic will help each woman know that they could always seek help. But if you are unsure about it, here’s a checklist to maintain a woman’s personal hygiene properly.
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Develop Safe Sexual Practices
Sex has multiple benefits for women among them better sleep and decreased depression or anxiety. An average of sex twice a week is enough for younger women, while older women can do with at least once a week. However, you need to be careful and practice safe sex if you are doing it casually.
Try to have a limited number of sexual partners and always use a condom. You should be wary of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the effects they have on your health. The common STDs include genital herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Some of these are treatable, however, some can only be managed.
The early signs of an STD include vaginal odor accompanied by a colored discharge, sores in the mouth and anus, pelvic pain, and vaginal itching. In case you get any of the signs you should visit a medical facility.
With medication, most of the signs will fade. You should also get regular check-ups if you are sexually active.
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Keeping Your Undergarments Clean and Dry
Ensure you keep your vagina and undergarments dry at all times. Make sure you wipe down your vagina after urinating. The practice of wiping your vagina will ensure that your panty remains dry and you do not have any bad odor.
Another benefit of keeping your undergarments clean is you will reduce the chances of getting an infection. You should also consider wearing panty liners. They are similar to sanitary pads and they absorb your vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge is normal. It is the vagina’s self-cleaning mechanism at work. Getting rid of toxins and moisturizing the area. The properties of the discharge will vary during different stages of your menstrual cycle.
You should avoid using talcum powder or wiping the discharge because it may lead to irritation and dryness. When the vagina gets irritated and becomes itchy, keep in mind that you shouldn’t scratch it no matter what. Instead, seek the best vaginal itching relief medicine you can find over-the-counter.
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Changing Your Sanitary Pad Regularly
The frequency of changing your sanitary towel when you are menstruating will vary depending on your flow. If you have a normal flow, it is advisable to change pads every 4 to 6 hours.
However, a shorter interval of 3 to 4 hours is advised if you have a heavy flow. For tampons, a change every 6 hours is recommended. The practice will reduce the risk of getting an infection, skin irritation, rashes, and bad odor.
If you prefer reusable pads or menstruation cups ensure that you wash and dry them properly. Doing so will reduce the risk of infections.
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Avoid Using Soap on Your Vagina
Taking regular showers is good practice. It helps eliminate germs and sweat buildup during the day. Showering at least a day is recommended, however, you should not use soap on your vagina. As indicated earlier, the vagina is self-cleaning therefore, you do not need to interfere.
Using soap will do more harm than good. The soap may interfere with your pH, kill good bacteria in your vagina or even cause irritation. In the long run, you may even get a yeast infection. You should steer clear of douching.
Instead, we recommend trying pH balance wipes. These wipes are a great alternative to using soap or other cleaners, as they can help you maintain and clean your vagina all while still remaining pH balanced. You can even purchase portable wipes to take with you on the go, just in case.
Ensure you shower after coitus to avoid contracting a urinary infection (UTI). You should use warm water and only do external cleaning.
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Keep Your Pubic Hair
Contrary to popular belief, your pubic hair is healthy and beneficial. Pubic hair will shield your vulva from bacterial infections. It is important to keep it clean and well-groomed. However, if you decide to get rid of your pubic hair, there are some things you should note.
Use electric shavers instead of your ordinary razor shaver. The electric shavers have a lower probability of causing injuries or bruising. Therefore, there is a lower chance you will get an infection.
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Wipe in the Right Direction
It may sound like common knowledge, but part of the population is unaware of what direction you should wipe. When wiping the vagina, a front-to-back motion is best. You wipe from the vagina down to the anus.
The motion will ensure that you do not drag any bacteria from your anus to your vagina and give yourself a UTI.
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Visit Your Doctor Regularly
You should conduct regular self-examinations of your genital area. Ensure that you take note of any changes such as swelling, rashes, or smell in your discharge. You can tell when your body is off.
You should also schedule regular visits to your doctor to track your health. Regular check-ups will help you identify any developing illness or abnormalities in your body. It is also crucial that you desist from self-medicating. Let the doctors do their job.
Conclusion
You need to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and overall health. Your hygiene plays a key role during interpersonal interactions and will affect your confidence. Therefore, you should embrace good hygienic practices.
Good hygiene will ensure you live a healthy life free from diseases. Your sexual activity is also closely linked to hygiene. Ensure your sexual partner is responsible and has good personal hygiene.
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