Natural Doesn’t Mean Neglected: Caring for Your Vagina Without Shame

Most body parts aren’t designed to clean themselves, but the vagina is different. This remarkable female organ contains beneficial bacteria that keep the vagina balanced and healthy. These include lactobacilli bacteria, which produce lactic acid to stabilize pH levels and eliminate harmful microbes. You don’t need those heavily scented deodorizing cleansers and sprays you see in the feminine care aisle at your local drugstore. In fact, introducing such products to your sensitive areas could do more harm than good.

Harsh cleansers and scented products can disrupt your natural pH balance and make you more susceptible to vaginal irritation and infections. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to maintain your vagina’s natural acidity levels without simply ignoring or neglecting it. Here are some excellent ways to support optimal vaginal health naturally.

Moisturize With Non-Hormonal Products

At times, the vagina can become dehydrated and easily irritated. This is especially common during perimenopause and menopause. Many women also experience chronically dry vaginal tissue after going through menopause. Rather than being a hygiene issue, vaginal dryness often occurs due to declining estrogen and progesterone levels. Fortunately, you can easily address this problem by applying a vaginal moisturizer periodically.

Whenever possible, look for a non-hormonal moisturizer that uses natural ingredients such as vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to gently hydrate vaginal skin. Hormone-based products such as estrogen creams carry a risk of side effects, including increased breast tenderness, vaginal burning, headaches, or increased vaginal infections. Many women prefer non-hormonal creams because they hydrate and lubricate without unwanted side effects.

Add Vagina-Friendly Probiotics to Your Regimen

If you take good care of your vagina but still struggle with pH balance, you’re not alone. Many women have difficulty maintaining optimal vaginal acidity, which can put them at higher risk for yeast infections and other infections, such as bacterial vaginosis. A poor diet, excessive stress, and hormonal changes can all potentially disrupt your vagina’s natural pH balance.

If you suspect your vagina’s natural acidity has been compromised, consider adding probiotics to your diet. The best probiotic strains for vaginal health include Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri. Many of these probiotics can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, certain cheeses, and kimchi. However, if you don’t get enough through your diet, you may benefit from quality probiotic supplements.

Change Your Diet to Support Feminine Health

Some foods support vaginal health and balance better than others. For example, a diet high in simple sugars and saturated fats can negatively impact vaginal microflora. It can also fuel yeast growth and make you more susceptible to infections of all types. Therefore, it’s best to minimize fast foods and sugary treats and drinks in your daily diet.

Plant-based foods contain prebiotics that help nourish healthy bacteria in the vagina and throughout the body. Include a healthy serving of plant-based foods at each meal to help maintain optimal vaginal pH. It’s also wise to eat more complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, sweet potatoes, black beans, green peas, and raspberries. These release natural sugars more slowly into the body for sustained energy and improved health.

Avoid Douching

Douching is the practice of cleaning out the vagina using a liquid solution, typically water or other fluids. Women often do this because they think their vagina needs to be thoroughly cleaned to stay hygienic. However, this simply isn’t true because the vagina is designed to clean itself.

Douching disrupts vaginal pH and increases a woman’s risk of infections like pelvic inflammatory disease, yeast infections, and other problems. Most gynecologists and women’s health practitioners recommend avoiding this potentially harmful practice. If you’re concerned about feminine odor, try simply washing your vagina and vulva with plain water more frequently.

Choose Natural Underwear Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics can wreak havoc on your delicate, feminine microflora. They trap moisture and sweat, which can make your vagina an ideal environment for unwanted bacteria and yeast growth. Synthetic fabrics can also block airflow and cause unpleasant odor.

It’s far better to wear breathable underwear made with natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo. These promote optimal air circulation and make it harder for undesirable bacteria to thrive. Don’t forget to change your underwear promptly after exercise to avoid sitting in sweat for extended periods. It’s also important to quickly change out of a wet bathing suit and into clean, dry underwear after swimming.

Test Your Vaginal pH

It’s natural to wonder whether the natural approach you’re taking is helping you maintain optimal vaginal health. You can invest in at-home vaginal pH tests to ensure your feminine microbiome is in excellent condition. These tests may come in the form of vaginal swabs or litmus paper. Follow the directions included with your at-home test to measure your vagina’s acidity.

A normal vaginal pH is somewhere between 3.8 and 5.0, which is moderately acidic. Anything higher or lower than this range could indicate poor vaginal health or an active infection, such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. It’s wise to consult with your healthcare provider if your pH falls outside the normal range.

Taking a natural approach to vaginal care doesn’t mean you should neglect feminine hygiene altogether. Instead, it focuses on utilizing natural products, fabrics, and methods to keep your intimate areas fresh, healthy, and pH-balanced. Use these suggestions to naturally care for your vagina with confidence and without shame.