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Female Sexual Cleanliness
A woman’s vagina is a very delicate and important part of her anatomy. It is therefore very important that she should be concerned about her vaginal health. A healthy vagina is naturally acidic and contains rich quantities of beneficial bacteria that help fend off infections and maintain a normal pH level. A healthy vagina is self-cleaning. This means it will secrete small amounts of discharge to keep itself clean, much as saliva is produced to help cleanse your mouth. Therefore, any substance or external cleaning agents used in there would disturb these normal conditions, and you may face vaginal irritation or infection.
• There are various ways that you can keep your vaginal healthy. These include:
• Maintain your natural PH
Any form of artificial cleaning, douching, can interfere with the vagina’s pH levels, reducing its acidity and setting the stage for bacterial infections. Normally, vaginal pH is about 3.8 to 4.5. When you have any offensive smell,.it us safer to consult your gynecologist, and not indulge in any self medication, like buying a douching liquid over the counter.
To maintain a healthy pH balance, keep away from cleansers, chemical that would disturb your natural balance.
• Your diet must be healthy
A healthy diet is very important for a healthy vaginal. It is so important, and synonymous as the sayings goes, that you are what you eat.
Therefore, a balanced, nutritious diet and drinking plenty of fluids are key to vaginal and reproductive health. In fact, certain foods may be effective in treating vaginal health problems. Cranberry juice and yogurt can potentially help prevent yeast infections and aid in their treatment. And if you experience vaginal dryness, seek medical advice if you can increase your soy bean product intake. This products contain a weak form of estrogen that can aide natural lubrication .
•Engage in normal sexual acts
The use of a protection sheath, shields you from sexual,infections, such as HIV, genital herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, and chlamydia. Some of these diseases, like HIV and genital herpes, have no cure. And others, like the human papillomavirus that causes genital warts, are also known to cause cancer or lead to other diseases. If you must engage in other forms of sexual positions, please consider changing your sheath. In other words, normal sexual acts also helps you keep a healthy reproductive organ.
• Regular check ups
It is advised that you carry out regular checks with your doctor. Every woman should have her first gynecological exam by age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active. Gynecologists and many family physicians are trained to diagnose diseases and disorders that can harm the vagina or your reproductive system as a whole. Gynecologists also perform Pap smears, which can detect changes in vaginal cells that might indicate the presence of cancer.
Ensure you threat possible infections quickly
•Three types of vaginal infections are common:vaginosis, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis. Yeast infections are caused by several types of fungi, while bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria overgrowth in the vagina.
Trichomonas,infection, is an STD. ‘Treating these infections is crucial because not treating them can lead to unpleasant, painful, and serious reproductive health problems. All three are can be treated with oral or topical medications.
Lubrication is helpful
For you to enjoy your intercourse, there must be sufficient secretion front your vagina. Therefore, lubrication can help if you are experiencing dryness. Without it, the skin of the labia and vagina can become irritated and chafed, sometimes to the point of breaking. While vaginal lubrication usually occurs naturally during female arousal, some women do not produce enough natural lubricant. In this case, women should use an artificial lubricant to reduce friction and irritation, and to enhance pleasure. It is advised that you use lubricants like KY jelly. Vaseline and related products are dangerous as vagina lubricants they can cause the sheath to break, exposing you to infection.
Wear comfortable cloths
Your vagina should stay clean and dry and you are advised to wear cotton garments. Certain types of fabrics and styles worn close to the genitals can increase heat and moisture, potentially leading to bacteria overgrowth and infections. Wear cotton underwear during the day, and avoid thongs. Try not to wear tight-fitting cloths like skinny pants, skin-tight underwear and change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout cloths as quickly as possible.
• Good hygiene is essential
Common sense can go a long way in protecting the health of your vagina. The direction in which you clean yourself, after passing feaces is very important. After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination of the vagina and to lower the risk of bladder infection. Also, after passing urine, clean by just patting your genitals. Do not rub..Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. When you’re not having your period, do not use pads or panty liners to absorb normal vaginal discharge; they will keep moisture and warmth near your vagina, which can result in infection.
Your body is very important to you; pay rapt attention to it and to ensure you maintain very good health.