You most likely have no issues with visiting your GP for a stomach ache, headache, or sore back. You can probably explain your symptoms with confidence, eager to get to the bottom of the problem. But when there is something not quite right going on “down there”, it’s quite often a different story.
Why have vaginas been such a taboo topic for so long? Male genitalia has been well documented over the years – whether it be in books, TV, or just in general conversation. Female genitalia on the other hand, for most, feels uncomfortable to bring up. It’s a topic that always feels somewhat mysterious to some.
Vaginas can do so many amazing and magical things – they birth new life, have or*asms, the vagina is even quite capable of cleaning itself. This itself is the perfect reminder to take great care of it.
Steer clear of soap
You don’t need to clean your vagina, period.
Washing your vagina can lead to quite a few problems. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, it has actually been referred to as a “self-cleaning oven” – which is a brilliant metaphor! Your vagina cleans itself and stays healthy by maintaining the correct pH balance and cleans itself with natural secretions.
Your vagina contains a tonne of good bacteria, the acidic pH in your vagina makes it extremely hard for the bad bacteria to infect it. Which is why it’s just best to leave her be. She knows what she’s doing, and is quite efficient in staying perfectly healthy and clean.
If however, you feel you must wash, make sure it’s your vu*va only and never your vagina.
The term “vu*va” refers to the outer part of your vagina. Specifically, the la*ia and your cli*oris.
While, it’s not a good idea to ever wash the inside of your vagina, if you feel as though you need to wash your vu*va then treat it how you would a baby’s bottom. The skin is that gentle, so it should never be scrubbed. It is suggested to use warm water and soap substitutes, and definitely stay away from perfumed soaps. Following this, applying vaginal lotion helps increase moisture to the vagina and vu*va and is an extra simple step in keeping your vagina happy and healthy.
Most discharge is perfectly normal
Vaginal discharge serves as a very important function of keeping your vagina clean. Most of the time, it is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. While some women don’t have much discharge, others may have quite a bit, it is very different depending on each woman.
Healthy, normal discharge can range in color, from clear to milky white and it may also have a mild subtle scent that is not unpleasant or foul-smelling. Your discharge may also indicate an imbalance of healthy bacteria in your vagina, which can be a red flag that all is not so well. So with most vaginal discharge being totally normal, how can you tell when your vaginal discharge may be throwing up red flags that there might be a problem?
If the discharge is accompanied by itchiness or burning, and/or the color, smell and consistency seems a little unusual, this may be a sign of an infection. And time for a visit to a healthcare professional.
There is no such thing as having a perfect vagina, they’re all imperfectly perfect in their own way. They’re all unique in different. They all come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. And thank goodness they do! How uninteresting it would be if we all looked the same.
In saying that however, it is so important to maintain a healthy vagina. There are so many questions relating to this topic that has been so hush-hush for so long, but times are changing and that’s definitely a good thing! The topic of vaginas, especially vagina health is not so taboo anymore. After all, there is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to keeping a healthy and happy vagina.