Come, Relax, Enjoy and Get the door- it’s VAGINAL WASH
By: Ojaswi Kafle
Tags: Womens Health, Vaginal Rejuvenation, Womenhealthcare, Hygiene, Vaginal Health

The vagina is something we rarely talk about even though it is an important part of our body. Most women avoid this topic or are embarrassed, but there is nothing to be ashamed of. It is an important part of the female reproductive system.

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Vaginal health and reproductive health are very important as they are important parts of our body. The vagina should be clean and dry which will prevent infection and complications. Vagina has its own cleaning mechanism. It is normal to produce clear or white mucus secretions maybe during the ovulation period from the vagina. The mucus is produced naturally from the neck of the womb, known as the cervix. A vaginal discharge is nothing strange and if it comes in different colors or smells bad, it is best to consult a doctor.

People might be confused about whether they just want to clean the vulva or vagina in general. The vulva is the outer portion of the genitals that surrounds the entrance to the vagina whereas the vagina is an internal organ. So, there is a difference in cleaning the vulva and vagina. A complex colony of good bacteria and other microbes helps keep the vagina healthy. In this case, we should clean the vulva lips gently. Excessive cleaning can have negative effects.

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The vagina and genitals produce a variety of fluids that are essential for life. We should not try to eliminate all odors from the vagina by washing the vagina. The naturally healthy genitals have a slight odor. Washing the vagina will also not remove the infection from the vagina. In some cases, it can make them worse. Using a mild soap can wipe soft tissues, causing small tears that make it easier for harmful germs to become infected in the vagina.

Taking all these factors into consideration, there are many products for women’s hygiene in the market. Women’s hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other physical activities related to the vagina. Those products used during menstruation can also be called menstrual hygiene products.

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Here discussion is particularly about vaginal cleanliness so one of the major products which are used by a broad spectrum of women on a daily basis for this process is “VAGINAL WASH”.

So, what is vaginal wash and how much effectiveness does it have in comparison to other products available?? These are the first questions we all want to get answered about.

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Washing your vagina. It’s a good idea to avoid perfumed soaps, gels, and antiseptics as these can affect the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in the vagina and cause irritation.

Vaginal wash is a solution formulated especially for women to cleanse the intimate area vagina. We can buy it at any medical or departmental store without a doctor’s prescription. All women can use an intimate wash. It is safe to use by those who experience irritation, itching, dryness, and infection. You can also use it during pregnancy and periods. It is recommended to use a vaginal wash instead of shower gel or soap. Vaginal wash helps balance vaginal pH level, which in turn helps in preventing itchiness and bacterial infection in the vaginal area. It also supports the growth of good bacteria, Lactobacillus, which is important for a healthy vagina.

Normally vaginal wash is made up of ingredients like coconut oil (natural moisture), lavender (minimize discomfort), grapefruit seed extract (gentle preservative), apple cider vinegar(balance and maintain a healthy pH). Other ingredients may include purified water, coco glucoside, sunflower seed oil, lavender flower water, rose water, citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Good vaginal wash highly avoids artificial fragrance, parabens (can also sensitize the skin, causing allergic reactions.), carcinogens(have been found to cause cancer in humans), sulfates(may clog pores and cause acne), dioxins(patchy darkening of the skin and effects on a reproductive system on long term basis).

Artificial fragrance is highly no to be included in the vaginal wash as they can contain hundreds of chemicals, unknown to consumers as it is not required to include details on product packaging and labels. So, we should shop for products that are made with natural fragrances such as florals or citrus.

Vaginal wash is beneficial to avoid itches in the vagina and can be used on regular basis. It keeps the pH level balanced and protects the vagina from infections and inflammations as well as maintains the odor of the vagina.

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We don’t need to wash the inside of our vagina because it produces its own natural discharge throughout the month — kind of like a self-cleaning oven. You do need to wash your vulva, though. As a reminder, this includes the inner and outer labia, clitoris, clitoral hood, the vestibule (around the vaginal opening), and the urethral opening. If we need to quickly cleanse and freshen up during our period or after exercising, the vaginal wash can be an effective product. It is designed for our delicate intimate area and is convenient to use.

So, how to use vaginal wash then. Simply, take a small quantity of the solution in hand and apply it on the external part of the vaginal area during toilet usage or a shower. Apply gently and then rinse it with clean water. Dry the area with a clean towel. We can use the intimate wash every day but use a gentle product that contains natural ingredients.

After learning about all these productivities one might be concerned about the effects of vaginal wash too. A new study conducted at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, which takes into account information about intimate health provided by 1,435 adult women from Canada, revealed that intimate hygiene products are popular among the female population, but their use worryingly heightened the risk of vaginal or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Intimate washes and other types of vaginal cleansers were linked with 3.5 times higher risk of bacterial infection, as well as a 2.5 times higher risk of UTIs.

Hence, the vaginal wash can be used to maintain the cleanliness of our intimate part but it is not necessary to use it on a regular basis. As mentioned earlier, the myth about using a vaginal wash to clean the vagina is not true. Vagina has self-cleansing power and the vulva as an outer part that acts as a protector of the vagina is to be cleansed. Vaginal wash with high quality with more natural essence and minimal use of chemicals can be used. On a regular basis, we can use lukewarm water to clean our intimate parts but should keep the reminder that it is harmful to forcefully use the water supply for the cleanliness process. Occasionally we can use a vaginal wash to maintain odor, to avoid infection.

So Ladies, lavish as much attention on your vagina.