Every part of the human body needs proper care and attention; more so, the female genitalia needs quality care to maintain health and to perform its function, which entails intimacy, menstruation, childbirth, and urine expulsion. In line with Everyday Health, this article seeks to reveal seven (7) things women should do to maintain health in their private regions.
1. Practice good hygiene.
Good hygiene and good health are inseparable. Women must imbibe the habit of using clean undergarments and washing their genitalia with clean, warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap to avoid irritating the walls of the privàte region and reducing the population of beneficial bacteria therein.
Also, toilet hygiene and appropriately disposing of pads, tampons, and other materials used during menstruation constitute practising good hygiene.
2. Wear breathable clothing.
Certain dress types, especially synthetic undergarments that are tight-fitting, rarely give room for air, hence creating a conducive environment for moisture-living microbes like yeast, fungi, and bacteria to grow and thrive in the privàte region.
3. Avoid douching and using scented products.
It's okay to desire that the private region smells like a bouquet of roses; however, douching and the use of fragrant products like soaps, sprays, or deodorants will affect the natural pH balance of the region and lead to the proliferation of potential pathogens, aside from other complications that may ensue.
4. Maintain fidelity and practice safe sèx.
With numerous reproductive health challenges encountered as a result of the rising percentage of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexually active women are encouraged to use condoms during intimacy, go for regular STI screening tests, and also stay with one tested and trusted partner.
5. Avoid using petroleum jelly as a lubricant during intimacy.
Using petroleum jelly to solve the problem of little or no lubrication during intimacy may impede the motility of the male reproductive cells, especially in women who are trying to get pregnant.
It is often recommended that lubricants based on oil, silicone, and water can serve this function with little or no interference in the motility of the male reproductive cells.
6. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Similar to practising good hygiene, a good diet can supply the necessary nutrients for overall body health, counter infections ahead of time, and also help maintain the acidity of the female private region. Foods relevant to vaginal health include protein, grains, fruits and vegetables, yoghurt, and cheese (which contain probiotics).
7. Get regular check-ups from qualified medical personnel.
Going for regular check-ups with your reproductive health specialist (gynecologist) can help with the early diagnosis of any underlying ailment and offer better lifestyle options.