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 will also secrete small quantity of discharge to keep itself clean, much as saliva is produced to help cleanse your mouth. If there is any interference with these normal conditions and you may face vaginal irritation or infection. The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal with a soft, flexible lining that provides lubrication and sensation. The vagina connects the uterus to the outside world. The vulva and labia form the entrance, and the cervix of the uterus protrudes into the vagina, forming the interior end. The vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse and also serves as a conduit for menstrual flow from the uterus. During childbirth, the baby passes through the vagina (birth canal). It is a pivotal part of the female reproductive system and has three basic functions. In sexual intercourse, the vagina accommodates the penis and it has a certain amount of elasticity that allows this to occur. This elasticity also aids in the birthing process, expanding so the baby can pass through.
Not only does the vagina serve as the birth canal, but it is also the passageway for a woman’s menstrual flow from the uterus. The vagina varies in sizes for different women, it could be from seven to nine centimetres long and can expand in both length and width. It has a soft protective lining packed with nerve endings, especially at the entrance. This relays pleasurable sensation during sexual activities for most women. Keeping the vagina healthy is very important to every woman as an unhealthy vagina can not only hinder your pleasure during sex, but also be prone to infections. Below are 15 ways to keep the vagina clean and healthy .It is a must read for every woman.
ALWAYS URINATE
AFTER SEX
The anus is very close to the vagina and this means that fecal bacteria is also nearby. Therefore, when you have intercourse, that penetration allows some of these bacteria to get closer to the urethra, making it easy for the bacteria (once inside) to make its way to the bladder, where it can multiple, damage tissue, and cause inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can be painful and require antibiotics. Peeing right after sex can help prevent the spread of fecal bacteria to the bladder and, therefore, UTIs. This is also why partners should not switch to vaginal intercourse right after anal.
USE CONDOMS
Condoms are great at protecting against STDs and pregnancy, but one study found that using condoms helps keep your vagina’s pH level at the status quo so good bacteria, like lactobacilli, can survive in there. And this is super important since those little bacteria help prevent yeast infections, UTIs, and bacterial vaginosis.
WEAR COTTON
UNDERWEAR
When it comes to underwear selection, the vagina has a preference which is cotton. That’s why most underwear comes with a thin strip of cotton fabric in the crotch. Since it breathes and absorbs moisture, it’s the ideal way to clothe the vagina. And when you’re home, feel free to go commando (without panties) so you can let things air out. Your vagina should stay clean and dry and what you wear can affect that. 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 clothing, and change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes as quickly as possible.
DO KEGEL EXERCISE REGULARY
Not many know that one of the fastest ways of tightening your vagina is through Kegel Exercise. Doing kegels is crucial for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, which are key in producing stronger, mind-blowing orgasms—not to mention bladder control. The good thing about Kegel is that it is an easy exercise that you can do at any point in time without any special efforts. You do the kegel exercise by finding the muscles you use to stop urinating, Squeeze these muscles for 3 seconds and then relax for 3 seconds. Simply put, it’s the way to hold back when you feel like urinating, it’s like squeezing the part of your vagina that stops you from urinating in order to hold back the urine, but in this case, you are not urinating and don’t do the kegel exercise while urinating.
EAT PLENTY OF
GREEK YOGURT
Snacking on yogurt with live cultures helps boost the good bacteria in the vagina and this helps to prevent vaginal problems like yeast infections,. Just be careful that you’re not eating on the super-sugary kind, because that could make you more susceptible to those infections.
ALWAYS GO TO YOUR ANNUAL EXAM
Always go for annual vaginal check-ups to help keep the vagina healthy. There are different kinds of vagina test such as Pelvic examination: Using a speculum, a doctor can examine the vulva, vagina, and cervix. The strength of the pelvic muscles can also be tested.Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear): During a pelvic exam, the examiner swabs the cervix and vagina. Pap smears screen for cervical or vaginal cancer. Bacterial culture: A swab of the cervix and vagina during a pelvic exam may be cultured in a lab. This can identify bacterial and viral infections.
LUBE UP
Lubrication is an important part of intercourse. 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. Avoid petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) and other oil-based products for this purpose because they can cause latex in condoms to break down and also might cause infection.vaginal dryness can impact on you if you take certain medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, or hormonal birth control. It can also crop up after pregnancy or shortly before menopause. When this happens, make sure you’re communicating with your partner so they don’t forge ahead before you’re properly lubricated, which is obviously painful and can cause abrasions.
AVOID DOUCHING
Douching is a very common practise among most women but research shows that douching does more harm than good to the vagina. Douching is the practice of washing or flushing the vagina with water or other fluids or many vagina wash products flooding the market. Studies have shown that using intravaginal hygiene products can put you at increased risk of infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and STDs. Use plain, unperfumed soaps to wash the area around the vagina (the vulva) gently every day. The vagina will clean itself inside your body with natural vaginal secretions (discharge). 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. If your vagina has a strong or unpleasant odor, see your doctor; a douche will only cover up the smell without curing the problem that’s causing it. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers on the vulva or inside the vagina, as these also can affect a healthy pH balance.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET FOR VAGINAL HEALTH
You may not realise it, but 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, ask your doctor if you should eat more soy products, which contain a weak form of estrogen that can aid natural lubrication.
PRACTICE SAFE SEX
TO KEEP HARMFUL
BACTERIA OUT
Using condoms during sex helps to protect against sexually transmitted diseases 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. You should change condoms when switching from oral or anal sex to vaginal sex, to prevent the introduction of harmful bacteria into the vagina.
TREAT INFECTIONS WHEN THEY OCCUR
Three types of vaginal infections are common: yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Yeast infections are caused by several types of fungi, while bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria overgrowth in the vagina. Trichomoniasis is sexually transmitted. 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.
FOLLOW GOOD
HYGIENE
Common sense can go a long way in protecting the health of your vagina. After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination of the vagina and to lower the risk of bladder infection. 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.
AVOID EXCESSIVE INTAKE OF
ANTIBIOTICS
Another threat to your nether region’s good bacteria are antibiotics. Those pills can kill off some of the good bacteria that keep your vagina healthy. For some women, taking antibiotics can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and this allows candida to grow, causing thrush. The symptoms of thrush include itchiness, pain and a vaginal discharge. Thrush can also affect other parts of the body including your mouth (white patches will be visible) and skin.
BE MINDFUL OF THE ORDER OF SEX ACTS
During sexual intercourse, some people tend to go from anal to vaginal sex without changing the condom or properly cleaning off first. Going from backdoor to front exposes your vagina to a host of bacteria and can up your risk of infections. If you must play with the anal, always clean up properly before going to the vagina, whether it’s the finger, tongue or the dick.
VIVIAN ONUORAH with additional reports from Women’s Health Journals
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