When you talk about taking good care of your body, you don’t always think about your vagina.
But knowing how to look after your vagina can help to keep it comfortable and free from infection.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to keep your vagina clean, whether you should be washing it after sex, or even if vaginal steaming is safe, then read on.
How do I clean my vagina?
Step away from the soap: your vagina keeps itself clean, all on its own.
From puberty, your vagina self-cleans with the help of normal discharge and good bacteria, called lactobacilli. These help to keep your vagina healthy and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
So avoid anything that can disturb the natural balance of your vagina, including:
- Getting soap in your vagina when you’re washing
- Scented vaginal washes and wipes
- Washing inside your vagina (douching)
It’s a good idea to wash the area outside your vagina every day. Your vulva is the area surrounding the opening of your vagina. It includes your labia (or vaginal lips) and clitoris.
When washing your vulva:
- Gently cleanse the folds of your labia using a clean flannel or your hands, taking care not to get soap inside your vagina.
- Be careful to wash from front to back, otherwise you can spread bacteria from your anus to your vagina.
- Make sure you rinse well so no soap is left to irritate your skin.
- Dry gently by dabbing with a soft towel. Don’t rub.
You may find that using perfumed soap makes you feel itchy. Plain warm water, unperfumed soap, or a soap substitute are good alternatives.
Can my underwear irritate my vagina?
It might. Some women find that tight-fitting or synthetic underwear can make their vagina and the area around it feel sore or itchy. Tight trousers could also be to blame.
Switching to loose-fitting cotton underwear, or roomier trousers can help to solve the problem. Wearing fresh clean underwear every day is a good idea but you might also want to try wearing no underwear when you’re at home or at night.
If your vagina is experiencing irritation or other symptoms and you think there might be something wrong, book a consultation with us so we can check you out.
How can I keep my vagina healthy during sex?
There are certain things you can do before, during and after sex to care for your vagina.
Before sex
Sex may be uncomfortable if you’re not relaxed and aroused. Making time for foreplay can help your vagina lubricate itself, making sex more comfortable and enjoyable.
During sex
To keep your vagina happy during sex you should use a condom. Not only will using condoms protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STI), but unprotected sex can cause an imbalance of the bacteria in your vagina.
Avoid using condoms that come with spermicide on them, or using spermicide as a lubricant, as it may increase your risk of infection. Consider using a water-based lubricant to make sex friction-free and pleasurable – these types of lubricants are safe to use with all condoms.
If you’ve had unprotected sex and you think you may be at risk of having caught an STI, contact us and we can help test and treat you quickly.
After sex
Immediately after sex you should have a wee. This will flush out any germs that have got into the tube that carries wee out of your body (called the urethra) during sex.
You may also want to gently clean your vulva by rinsing with warm water. Don’t douche!
How can I safely remove my pubic hair?
First of all, it’s worth knowing that removing your pubic hair won’t make your vagina cleaner or healthier.
How much hair you have down there is a purely personal choice. But before you grab the hot wax or razor, be aware that some hair removal methods carry a risk of injury.
Shaving your pubic hair comes with the risk of cutting yourself or getting razor burns, and cuts can get infected.
Follow these tips for safer shaving:
- Soak in the tub or have a wash before you start shaving to get rid of bacteria.
- Apply shaving cream, gel, or soap suds to keep your skin lubricated and make shaving easier.
- Shave in the direction that the hair grows, using slow strokes. This will irritate less and be smoother.
- Rinse your skin with warm water after you are done shaving and then pat dry.
Waxing and hair removal creams can also irritate your skin. This can lead to problems such as a deep infection of the skin (cellulitis), and inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis).
Always follow the instructions for waxing or hair removal creams and use the correct product for the area.
Should I try vaginal steaming?
Your doctor would prefer that you don’t try vaginal steaming!
This is a traditional method of cleaning your vagina and uterus that involves sitting over a container of hot water and herbs, allowing the steam to travel up into your vagina. It was made popular when it was advertised by the actor, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Vaginas don’t need to be steam cleaned and you risk irritating, or even burning, the delicate skin in that area. We recommend avoiding this practice.
What else can I do to keep my vagina healthy?
It’s a good idea to get to know what’s normal for you. This could mean being aware of what your normal vaginal discharge looks, smells, and feels like across the month. That way, if you notice any changes you know to seek help.
Get familiar with what the area around your vagina looks and feels like, so that you’ll notice any changes in colour, new bumps, itchiness, or burning.
You can also help your vagina to stay healthy by:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Doing pelvic floor exercises
- Always wiping from front to back after a wee or poo so that you avoid spreading bacteria.
If you have symptoms that are worrying you, our women’s health specialists can discuss your concerns, do an examination if necessary and find the right treatment plan for you. For more information or to make a booking contact us or visit one of our clinics.
Helpful resources
38 things to know about sex and foreplay.
Healthline, Brito J. 2019
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/foreplay-sex
How to clean your vulva and vagina
Healthline, Ferguson S. 2019
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-vagina
Things you should (and shouldn’t) do after sex
WebMD, DerSarkissian C. 2019
https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/ss/slideshow-sexual-hygiene
Removing pubic hair
Center for Young Women’s Health, 2019
https://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/08/22/removing-pubic-hair/
Is sex painful the first time?
NHS, 2018
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/is-sex-painful-the-first-time/
Everything you need to know about maintaining your vaginal pH balance
Healthline, Watson S. 2019
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance
