Woman with water on her face as if she is in the shower — (C) Love Matters | Rita Lino

8 hygiene tips for women

When you kiss or have sex, it’s nice if you’re clean and smell nice. Brush your teeth, shower regularly, and wear clean clothes.

Did you know that we all produce unique natural scents? If you’ve had several partners, you may have noticed that they will have a unique natural smell; some good, some not so good.

Everyone has a natural scent. This is really important in love and sex. You often find someone more attractive because you like the way they smell. So you don’t have to cover up your natural, clean body odour. Your partner will like it!

Here are 7 feminine hygiene tips:

1. Shower at least once a day!

As a woman, keeping yourself clean is recommended since you are getting your period, daily vaginal discharge, and sweat. Take a shower or bath at least once a day to keep yourself clean. Be sure to brush your teeth as well.

2. Wear cotton underwear or go commando

Many women have discharge. This is a yellowish white fluid that can come out of the vagina when you haven’t got your period. It’s perfectly normal. Wear clean cotton underwear every day, which allows air to get to your vagina. Alternatively, go commando.

3. Your vagina doesn’t like soap!

It’s fine to use soap to wash between your legs and your outer labia, but it’s not a good idea to use it to wash between your labia or inside your vagina.

Using soap or vaginal douches to wash your vagina can upset the natural balance of bacteria, which may encourage yeast infections. It can cause itching and irritation and can be a cause of pain during intercourse. If you do use soap, choose a mild baby soap without strong perfumes.

To dry off after a shower or bath, use a towel that is soft and completely dry. Change your towel every 2 to 3 days and avoid sharing with anyone else.

4. Don’t douche

Never aim a stream or spray water directly into your vagina. Instead, let the water run down from the top of your pubic area over your vagina. This feminine care tip prevents outside bacteria from entering your vagina.

5. Does your vagina smell?

Your vagina should not smell like vanilla essence or fruity.

It’s perfectly normal that your vagina should have a certain smell. Often you have a different smell just before your period compared to around the time of your ovulation. Don’t use vaginal soap, douches, or perfumes to take away the smell. They can irritate your vagina and make the smell even stronger.

Wash your vulva with water and wear cotton underwear. Synthetic underwear, such as polyester, makes you sweat more and can irritate your vagina. This makes your discharge heavier so your vagina can start to smell.

6. Wipe front to back

When you go to the loo, always wipe front to back – and never back to front! This prevents harmful bacteria from your anus get into your vagina. If the bacteria get into your vagina, it can get smelly and may even lead to an infection.

7. Change sanitary pads and tampons

Change your sanitary pads regularly, every few hours. You also need to change tampons every four to eight hours depending on how heavy your flow is. For more see the section on pads and tampons.