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- Hand Hygiene. Washing Your Hands has always been the simplest and inevitable personal hygiene practice. And probably the first thing that comes to your mind when someone talks about hygiene!
- Toilet Hygiene. Maintaining appropriate toilet hygiene, whether at home or in a public restroom, will help reduce infections. Toilet hygiene comprises many habits.
- Oral Hygiene. When it comes to dental care, you need to be very conscious of your habits and maintain oral hygiene to avoid all sorts of dental problems.
- Shower Hygiene. For most of us, a daily shower is more like a habit; than a personal hygiene practice. And there's a solid reason why you've developed this habit!
- Overview
- What does ‘feminine hygiene’ actually mean?
- Why is it referred to as ‘feminine’ and not ‘vulvar’?
- At what age should you start developing your routine?
- What does a typical routine consist of?
- Should your routine change over time?
- What about douching, steaming, and other trends?
- Is there anything else you should avoid doing or using?
- Is there ever a time when you should see a doctor?
- Where can you learn more?
The phrase “feminine hygiene” belongs in the trash alongside your last soiled dental dam or tampon.
But that doesn’t mean vagina owners shouldn’t prioritize the health of their genitals — they should!
As it’s primarily used, “feminine hygiene” doesn’t really mean anything.
It’s nothing more than a marketing ploy. One that’s based in transphobic, misogynistic values designed to make cisgender women feel ashamed of their genitals, and therefore buy so-called feminine hygiene products.
“While the phrase ‘feminine hygiene’ is often used to make people with vaginas feel dirty, the goal of the phrase is recognizing the unique qualities of the parts that make up the vulva and the vaginal canal,” explains Felice Gersh, MD, author of “PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist’s Lifeline to Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness.”
So, actually, a better, more accurate phrase would be vulvar/vaginal hygiene.
If you’re wondering why the phrase “vulvar hygiene” would *not* suffice, here’s a quick anatomy lesson:
•The vagina = the internal part of the genitals. It’s the canal where things like tampons and dildos can go.
•The vulva = the external parts of the genitals, which include the pubic mount, inner and outer labia, clitoris, and the vestibule.
And as Gersh notes, here we want to be talking about both parts.
As young as possible, actually.
“Just as parents explain to their children that they need to clean between their toes and brush their teeth, they need to explain to their child that they should tend to their genitals,” Gersh says.
Feeding
It really does all start with food! “Our entire body needs a wide range of nutrients in order to function optimally,” Gersh says. “So, what we eat and drink affects our vulva and vagina in the same way that what we eat and drink affect all parts of our body.” To maintain the most optimal vulvar and vaginal health, she recommends a diet rich in: •antioxidants •vitamin E •vitamin C •omega-3 fatty acids •omega-6 fatty acids •protein •probiotics
Cleaning
Likely, cleaning your bits is a far less ~involved~ process than you might have guessed.
Grooming
Pubic hair has many important biological purposes, says Streicher. This includes protecting the delicate vulvar skin from friction during intercourse and other activities. “But there has been no research that shows that the pubic hair has any function as far as hygiene goes,” she says. That said, if you choose to remove some or all of your pubic hair, the way you do it matters. “You want to use a fresh blade every time,” Streicher says. If that sounds too pricey, at the very least designate a vulva-only blade. That way you’re not using a blade that’s been dulled by shaving shag elsewhere on your body. When you’re done, dry the razor and store it away in your cabinet as opposed to on a shower ledge. This can help keep the razor from growing mold and rust. Even if you follow all these above steps perfectly, ingrown hair and irritation are still a risk. And for folks with uber-sensitive skin, they’re practically inevitable. “A warm compress on the ingrown hair can help open the pore and pull the follicle from underneath the skin,” Streicher says. But if the bump you think is an ingrown hair is accompanied by symptoms like funky discharge, a foul odor, or pain, reach out to a healthcare provider. “They’ll be able to tell you if it’s actually an ingrown, and do any culture swaps they seem fit,” she says.
If you have (or continue to have!) sex
If you become a sexually active person, prioritizing your genital health means knowing your current STI status. Sex isn’t just penis-in-vagina penetrative intercourse. It’s also: •oral sex •hand play •bumping and grinding •anal sex And the only way to know your current STI status? Get STI screened after every new sexual partner.
If you’re pregnant
“When you’re pregnant the last thing you want is [foreign] bacteria to take over, so my opinion is that less [cleansing] is more,” Gersh says.
If you’re going through menopause
“After menopause the vulva skin may need more moisture because the skin and area will become more dry,” Gersh says. She also recommends additional supplements to keep the skin moisturized from the inside out and outside in: •vitamin E •vitamin C •multivitamin •collagen protein
Two words: Please don’t!
“Trends like douching and steaming may be fun to read about,” Streicher says, but they’re less than fun for your genitals.
“Not only are there absolutely no benefits to these trends, but doing them can actively cause harm,” she says.
Douching — the act of washing the vaginal canal with a water-soap or water-vinegar mixture — can alter the vagina’s natural microbiome.
And when that happens? “You take away the vagina’s natural defense against infections,” she says.
Vaginal steaming can also mess with these defenses. But even more painful and unsavory is the risk that it can literally burn your vaginal tissues and vulvar skin. Ouch!
To be very clear: Anything marketed as “feminine hygiene” is a no-go.
Ditto goes for anything that claims to be “pH balancing.” “The vulva doesn’t need to be pH balanced, and the vagina is able to manage its own pH,” Streicher says.
Yep! See a healthcare provider if you’ve noticed a change in look, feel, or smell, says Fosnight.
(Not sure how to notice a change? Scroll back up, darling!)
Whether you prefer video, page, or audio-only learning, there’s an education medium for you!
You might:
•Follow @DrJenGunter or read her book “The Vagina Bible,” which you can purchase online.
•Buy “Our Bodies, Ourselves” by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, or check out their website.
•Peruse the Planned Parenthood website or the Planned Parenthood YouTube channel.
•Check out the website Bedsider.
May 20, 2020 · Good personal hygiene involves keeping all parts of the external body clean and healthy. It is important for maintaining both physical and mental health.
Oct 3, 2023 · Good personal hygiene involves keeping all parts of your external body clean — and healthy. Poor hygiene leaves you open and more vulnerable to infection as it creates the ideal environment for germs and bacteria to grow.
Here are some personal hygiene suggestions for women: Menstruation - wash your body, including your genital area, in the same way as you always do. Change tampons and sanitary napkins regularly, at least four to five times a day. Always wash your hands before and after handling a tampon or pad.
Good personal hygiene is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about self-care and respect for oneself as well as others. It involves a series of practices that help in preserving the health and well-being of individuals and the public at large.
May 18, 2018 · Establishing a good personal hygiene routine can help you reduce your risk for health conditions and may also improve your self-esteem.
