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What are the Best Tips for Feminine Hygiene?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

To maintain good feminine hygiene, a woman should bathe regularly. During menstruation, she should exercise good habits with regard to changing pads or tampons. Any time infections develop, they should be promptly treated. Also, to help reduce infections and hygiene problems, women are advised to make sure that any object that will be used during intercourse, including a partner’s body parts, are properly cleaned in advance.

Bathing regularly is an important part of maintaining good feminine hygiene. If this is not done, the bacteria that is naturally present can overpopulate the genital area and cause problems such as discharge and odor. It is not generally necessary for a woman to douche in order to be clean. Some gynecologists do, however, recommend pH-balanced feminine washes.

Women may enjoy scented soaps for use in personal hygiene.
Women may enjoy scented soaps for use in personal hygiene.

Women can get various infections from time to time. It is common for this to happen for many reasons other than uncleanliness and sexual indiscretion. The idea that people may make those accusations, however, tends to cause some females to avoid prompt and sufficient treatment. Untreated infections, however they are caused, can create other problems, such as sterility, antibiotic resistance, and poor feminine hygiene. To prevent this from happening, women should always get the necessary medical treatment.

Tampons should be changed frequently to avoid bacterial build up.
Tampons should be changed frequently to avoid bacterial build up.

The menstrual cycle also requires females to develop good habits. Women who use pads should change them before they reach their maximum absorption point. Women who use tampons should avoid leaving them in for periods longer than those stated on the packaging. If there is a need for more frequent changing, which is often indicated by spotting on the attached string, tampons should be changed more often than recommended.

Women who use pads should change them before the pads reach their maximum absorption point.
Women who use pads should change them before the pads reach their maximum absorption point.

What a woman wears can affect her feminine hygiene. When it comes to panties, gynecologists tend to recommend those that have cotton in the crotch. Women are also advised to avoid making a habit of wearing tight clothing that prevents the vaginal area from breathing adequately.

Sex can become the cause of poor feminine hygiene if individuals are not careful. This is why it is important for women to take the necessary precautions to protect their vaginal health. One practice that gynecologists commonly advise women to avoid is having vaginal intercourse after anal intercourse. This is because germs can be spread to the vagina that can cause problems.

Underwear that has cotton in the crotch is usually best for feminine hygiene.
Underwear that has cotton in the crotch is usually best for feminine hygiene.

Women should be very careful to ensure that any items that are inserted in them are properly disinfected. This includes sexual accessories, douche dispensers, and fingers. It is also important to make sure that uncircumcised partners have cleaned themselves properly before having unprotected sex. If these measures are not taken, bacteria may be introduced into the vagina, and feminine hygiene may be jeopardized.

Discussion Comments

anon353497

Thanks for sharing this article. Sometimes it's hard to know what the answers are to some questions that can be a little hard to ask. Luckily for me, I was able to go here for all my needs and the doctors/aides were able to help me out just fine.

anon344086

I am a happily married woman 42 years old. About two weeks after I returned from my honeymoon, my mother instructed me about douching to keep myself "cleaned out" as she said for my husband. Although I still douche after my period ends and several times a week after we have sex, I have never had any problems from douching too much. About five years we built a new home and I put a bidet in my bathroom which I use daily. I wish I had one when I first got married.

anon323543

Thank you! I never knew that you should make sure that the other person's body part is clean before sex. I may have missed it, but did you mention anything about the importance of hygiene and disposal? I use Scensibles Bags and apparently they help protect against blood-borne pathogens. Have you used these?

anon312707

I know there has been a lot of discussion about not douching. i am a happily married woman 22 years old. my mother advised me after I got back from my honeymoon to start douching to keep myself from having the "drippies" all day long. Since then I have been douching three or more times a week and have not had any problems from doing it.

anon200340

Women should also be careful about what soaps they are using when cleansing the vagina. Using a normal body soap can lead to all kinds of problems.

Your best bet is to use something made specifically for that area a good example and my personal favorite is fresh control.

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    • Women may enjoy scented soaps for use in personal hygiene.
      By: red2000
      Women may enjoy scented soaps for use in personal hygiene.
    • Tampons should be changed frequently to avoid bacterial build up.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Tampons should be changed frequently to avoid bacterial build up.
    • Women who use pads should change them before the pads reach their maximum absorption point.
      By: DoraZett
      Women who use pads should change them before the pads reach their maximum absorption point.
    • Underwear that has cotton in the crotch is usually best for feminine hygiene.
      By: Ruslan Kudrin
      Underwear that has cotton in the crotch is usually best for feminine hygiene.
    • Gynecologists may give advice on feminine hygiene, such as recommending women wear underwear with a cotton crotch and avoid vaginal sex after anal intercourse.
      By: endostock
      Gynecologists may give advice on feminine hygiene, such as recommending women wear underwear with a cotton crotch and avoid vaginal sex after anal intercourse.