Do We Need Hygienic Products to Maintain a Healthy Vagina?

Highlights

It’s a myth that the vagina needs extensive cleaning with feminine hygiene products.

Vagina is self-defensive and doesn’t require any douches or cleansers to keep it healthy.

Harsh chemicals introduced to the vagina may damage the mucus of the vagina.

The best way to maintain a clean and healthy vagina is just to leave it alone.

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Vaginal hygiene is still a taboo subject in India and it’s a fact that many women, even today, feel uncomfortable talking about vaginal issues even to their close ones or share tips on how to maintain feminine hygiene.

42% of women say they have never been taught how to look after their vaginal health

Given that it’s the most sensitive zone, we are conditioned to think that vagina is unclean and needs high maintenance to keep it clean and healthy.

The vagina is naturally a self-cleaning organ that cleans itself by producing natural secretions.

Here are some of the facts that you need to know about your vagina and its natural cleansing system.

Vagina and its Self-defensive Nature

The vagina is a tube of muscle that joins the cervix and the vaginal opening and is surrounded by the vulva (the exterior organ).

It is lined with mucous membrane and is colonized with healthy bacteria from the Lactobacillus group. Together, they keep the vagina healthy and hygienic with natural secretions and are responsible for protecting the vagina from infections.

Lactobacilli produce lactic acid and help maintain an ideal pH balance and play an important role in keeping the vagina healthy. Lactobacilli also produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other substances which inhibit the growth of pathogens or unfavorable bacteria and yeast.

Do you need hygienic products to keep your vagina healthy?

It’s quite natural if you often feel the need to wash your vagina and most women use the so-called feminine hygiene products hoping to feel clean and fresh. But the vagina is self-defensive and doesn’t require any douches or cleansers to keep it healthy.

There is a range of products such as intimate washes, shaving gels, cleansers, lubricants, douches, and deodorants, available in the feminine hygiene market that claim to clean, freshen, and balance your vagina.

Do these feminine products help maintain vaginal health?

Good vaginal hygiene is key for intimate health. But it’s a myth that the vagina needs extensive cleaning with feminine hygiene products.

45% of women use soaps to clean their vagina which upsets the natural pH.

The truth is they do more harm than good and increase your risk of infections.

For instance, douches usually contain water and vinegar and other commercial products contain antiseptics and fragrances that can reduce the lactobacilli and reduce the protective effect of the discharge.

Some of the women even reported douching their vaginas developed cancer.

Any kind of harsh chemicals introduced to the vagina may damage the mucus of the vagina and upset the delicate balance of bacteria giving a chance to the pathogens to cause vaginal infections.

The mucous membrane that lines the vagina is also very porous which makes the vagina an efficient route for absorbing medication and pathogens. It could be a risk factor for bacterial vaginosis or even the potentially deadly toxic shock syndrome.

Final thoughts

Experts advise the women to avoid any feminine hygienic products like perfumed soaps, gels, and wipes as these can affect the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in the vagina and allow the growth of bacteria and yeast.

Instead, warm water and some unperfumed soaps are recommended for cleaning your vagina effectively.

The vagina is naturally designed to keep itself clean with natural secretions and is self-defensive and doesn’t need any internal washing or douching or steaming.

The best way to maintain a clean and healthy vagina is just to leave it alone.

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It’s summer around the corner! And our sweat glands are going to be super active to keep us cool! It’s a fuss with the sweaty armpits during this season.

Deodorants are extensively used, especially to get away from those sweaty armpits during summers. A sizzling splash to refresh all of us, irrespective of the constituents used in them.

There have been several rumours surrounding the health effects and links between deodorants and breast cancer. Some of you must be worried that certain chemicals in antiperspirants and deodorants can be absorbed through the skin, especially after shaving.

So, should you worry about the deodorant or antiperspirant you are using?

What is the link between deodorant and cancer? Rolling a deodorant underarm after a shower or before stepping out has become commonplace. But how often do you worry about the constituents and associated health risks before spraying the splash of refreshment to keep you fresh throughout the day? Let’s find it out!

Is there a link between deodorants and breast cancer?

The results of the research are conflicting. But, one thing is for sure, there are no shreds of evidence supporting the scientific link between deodorants to breast cancer. Though there are studies about the possibilities.

One reason some scientists associate them together is that deodorants or antiperspirants are applied near underarms that are very close to breasts.

Are deodorants and antiperspirants safe?

The fact that many antiperspirants and deodorants contain extremely harmful constituents cannot be denied. Short and crisp, be careful while you use your deodorants and never overuse them. Preferably apply it on clothes and refrain from directly splashing it on your skin. Taking care of the usage, in general, is a good idea.

Parabens and aluminium based deodorants and antiperspirants have been active but concerning elements to researchers, but more concrete research and evidence are required to conclude the speculations. Aluminium found in many antiperspirants has led to concerns that it could be a contributing reason for increasing the risk factors.

And it has been found according to a study that a tiny fraction, 0.012% to be exact, was actually absorbed through the skin. For a substance to cause cancer, it should enter the body in high doses to lead to alarming situations. A tiny amount in roll-on just isn’t enough!

To really clear out your body from aluminium, it’s better to say goodbye to aluminium foil and cookware. In addition, FDA scientists have found no evidence that parabens used in cosmetics such as deodorants cause breast cancer.

Should I continue using it to stay refreshed?

Well, many brands claim 24-hour sweat and germ protection. But merely keeps us sweat-free. Isn’t it? You definitely have the answer. Do you need these chemicals to keep you fresh? Hope you got the answer! It can be considered as safe as other chemicals, including shower gel, soaps, moisturizers, and perfumes we use on our bodies. And remember not to use it if your skin develops allergic reactions.

While antiperspirants and deodorants are often linked to breast cancer, there is no conducive research supported with evidence. However, further study is required to find out a convincing link to draw any conclusion.

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This text is provided for information purposes only and is not aimed as an alternative to professional medical advice. Always take the advice of a health specialist if you have questions regarding your health or a medical condition.