Maintaining good vaginal hygiene is a necessity for all women. A healthy vagina is naturally acidic and is rich in quantities of yeast, which is beneficial for your genital health. It is important to keep the pH of your vagina at a normal level. A healthy vagina will secrete small amounts of discharge to keep itself clean. Any problems with these normal conditions, you may have an infection or vaginal irritation.
Here are some tips to keep your vagina healthy:
- Keep a healthy pH balance: The normal pH levels of a healthy vagina range from 3.8 to 4.5. An imbalance in the pH level could cause vaginal dryness and other issues. Avoid douching and using soap cleansers on the inside of the vagina. You should also avoid using vaginal deodorant spray or gel, as they can affect pH balance.
- Practice safe sex: One of the most important steps for your vaginal health is the use of condoms. Condoms protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as herpes, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts and chlamydia. Some of these, like HIV, have no cure.
- Visit your doctor: Regular examinations, tests and visits to your gynecologist could help to prevent against infections. Leaving infections untreated can harm your vaginal health and cause other issues.
- Using lubricant: The use of lubrication is an important part of sexual intercourse. Most women naturally produce a lubricating discharge as a result of sexual arousal, but many do not produce enough of it. This could cause vaginal irritation, dryness and pain during sexual intercourse. Using an artificial lubricant can help. Avoid petroleum jelly and other oil-based products, since they can cause latex to break down in condoms and may cause infection.
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Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health-pictures/hygiene-rules-for-a-healthy-vagina.aspx
