Common Intimate Hygiene Issues
Intimate hygiene, briefly, is taking care of your reproductive parts, especially your external genitalia. Unfortunately, more often than not, we tend to overlook intimate care.
Here are four intimate hygiene issues you need to watch out for!
1. Spots & Stains - When we're close to our period, it's quite common to have spotting or stains randomly. These are just little drops of menstrual blood. But once menstrual blood is out of your body, it can cause the growth of pathogens and bacteria. Hence, when you're nearing your period, it is good to wear a panty liner to absorb spotting blood. This will also help prevent period stains on your underwear!
2. Infections - Bacteria and yeast are common causes of vaginal infections. Some common products like soaps, body washes and lotions can irritate the vagina, cause inflammation and cause vaginal infections. You can spot a vaginal infection if you have itching down there, a change in the colour and amount of vaginal discharge, pain or burning during peeing or during sex, or vaginal spotting when you're not around your period. Vaginal infections can be treated with anti-fungal creams or other medicines that your gynecologist may suggest. Maintaining proper intimate hygiene can help in preventing vaginal infections.
3. Odour - In case there is an infection in your reproductive areas, your genitalia may emit an unpleasant or pungent smell. In case this happens, the first step is to consult your doctor. You can use an intimate hygiene wash to control odour. It is important to use a wash that is pH balanced and is preferably made with all natural ingredients.
4. Vaginal Discharge - Vaginal discharge is a common indicator of the health of your reproductive organs. White or transparent discharge, which is neither too runny nor too solid, is normal. On some days, we tend to have more discharge than usual, which can cause wetness in the underwear. This can become a good environment for bacteria and fungus to grow on. To prevent this, you can wear a panty-liner on non period days to absorb the discharge, and keep your intimate area clean and dry.
Your intimate hygiene is just as important as your overall health and hygiene. Practice intimate care everyday!
