Women’s Vaginal Care

What’s a vagina?
A vagina is also known as the birth canal for those who bear children. The vagina connects with the cervix and, through that, the uterus.

The ovaries, located on either side of the uterus, release eggs in fertile people. These eggs travel down the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where, in conception, they meet up with sperm for fertilization and implant along the uterine wall.

What’s a vulva?
The vulva is the outside portion of the female genitals — the part you can see. It consists of the mons pubis, clitoris, urethra, labia majora, and labia minora. The labia majora is the outer fold of the genitals, while the labia minora is the inner fold. These parts help protect the clitoris, which is extremely sensitive — even more so than the head of a penis. And like the head of a penis, the clitoris can be a major pleasure center! In fact, many people with vaginas need clitoral stimulation to orgasm.

Don’t douche
I hate to break it to you because you may enjoy smelling “summery fresh,” but douching is actually harmful to the vagina. So, how do you keep it clean?

Luckily, vaginas are amazing organs. Not only do they help bring life into this world (as if that wasn’t enough), but they also do a great job keeping themselves clean. They do this by balancing healthy bacteria and pH levels on their own. No douching needed.

Keep the Pubes
It’s okay to do a bit of trimming or removing hair along your swimsuit line. No one says it needs to be unruly-although you should rock it however you want! - but please, do keep your pubic hair.

Pubic hair serves many purposes. It protects your downstairs from extra bacteria, and it also eliminates issues related to friction and sweating. Less hair removal also means less itch as the hair grows back, fewer cuts and scrapes, and fewer ingrown hairs.

Practicee safer sex

1. Use protection. That could be a condom, dental dam, or gloves. It’s not rocket science, and you already know you should, so just do it.
2. Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should get tested after any partners you exchange genital fluids with.
3. Mind the order of your sex acts. Going from butt play to vaginal play can increase the likelihood that you’ll get an infection, such as those painful urinary tract infections (UTIs). If anal is your thing, make sure you do it after vaginal sex, not before.

Pee after Sex
Peeing after sex can help reduce the likelihood of UTIs. Plus, it helps you get in some discrete clean-up time.

Wear breathable clothing 
Breathable clothing and fabrics make happy vaginas. Cotton underwear is great. It has moisture-wicking properties to limit the amount of wetness that can promote bacterial growth. Changing out of wet clothing quickly can help limit issues, as well. Regardless of the kind of underwear you like, just make sure to change it daily

Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine is an interdisciplinary journal that explores clinical, medical, social and economic aspects of female reproductive health and medication worldwide.

Authors can submit manuscript as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at https://www.imedpub.com/submissions/womens-health-reproductive-medicine.html

Media Contact
John Kimberly
Associate Managing Editor
Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine
Email: womenshealth@emedscholar.com