Proper intimate hygiene is important to prevent diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. However, around 40% of women who visit a gynecologist because of a vaginal fungus actually owe this infection to excessive intimate hygiene. We will therefore tell you what optimal intimate hygiene for women looks like.
Contents
- The dangers of incorrect intimate hygiene
- It's all about the dosage and the products
- Proper intimate hygiene: no vaginal douches and intimate sprays
- The influence of underwear on a woman's intimate hygiene
- It is better to wash underwear at 60 degrees
- Hands should be clean before use
- A few additional rules apply during your period
- Don't forget the anus either
- Women's intimate hygiene and intimate shaving
- What can, should and must HE do?
We now take a daily shower for granted. And the intimate area is also getting more and more attention. There are a few rules to follow, because proper intimate hygiene not only increases a woman's well-being, it also prevents infections and diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. The fact that around 40% of women who visit a gynecologist because of a vaginal fungus actually owe this infection to excessive intimate hygiene shows how important proper care is.
The dangers of incorrect intimate hygiene
Washing too often with soap or shower gel irritates the skin and destroys its protective acid mantle in this sensitive area. Pathogens can penetrate more easily and cause infections. However, insufficient intimate hygiene is just as harmful, as bacteria have an easy time in this case too. Dermatologists and experts advise daily washing with lukewarm water only and without soap. If lotions are still used, they should be as gentle as possible. One thing is clear: if intimate hygiene is not carried out at all or too infrequently, this can lead to increased bacterial growth in the intimate area and the risk of infection increases.
It all depends on the dosage and the product
However, it is often not too little but too much intimate hygiene that leads to problems. Washing too often with soap or intimate lotions weakens the vaginal flora and thus promotes diseases. This is because lactic acid bacteria are particularly important for healthy vaginal flora in the intimate area. If the right bacterial cultures die off here, pathogens such as fungi can spread easily.
The addition of perfume to washing lotions can also irritate sensitive skin and cause redness. Washing too often also dries out the skin. This causes inflammatory cracks, which favor the penetration of pathogens. The anal area is also part of intimate hygiene and should not be allowed to dry out, as this can cause pain. Another danger of incorrect intimate hygiene is that bacteria from the anal area can enter the vaginal area. Here you should make sure that you wash from front to back.
Proper intimate hygiene for women: no vaginal douches and intimate sprays
According to most gynaecologists, proper intimate hygiene for women does not include intimate sprays, vaginal douches or sitz baths. To exaggerate somewhat, one could say that intimate hygiene for women takes care of itself. While a pH value of 7 to 7.5 is considered neutral, it is around 4 to 4.5 in a woman's intimate area. This means that there is an acidic environment with a high number of lactic acid bacteria. These provide natural protection against invading germs. Shower gels, on the other hand, usually have a pH value of 10, which means that a normal shower gel can upset the balance of the intimate flora. Cleaning once a day in the shower with clear water or a pH-neutral washing lotion is therefore completely sufficient.
This is because the vagina has a self-cleaning function and the lactic acid bacteria kill off invading pathogens. If you scrub them away, you disrupt this natural cleansing function and upset the healthy bacterial balance. Intimate sprays often contain perfumes that irritate the skin and sometimes even produce bad odors in the first place. Incidentally, bad odors in the vagina come from the whitish deposits (smegma) that form in the skin folds of the labia - which is why women need to wash themselves daily. If you use a washcloth, you should change it daily or use disposable washcloths - bacteria love the environment on a damp cloth. For women who are prone to fungal infections, gentle, fragrance-free wash lotions are recommended especially for intimate hygiene, as well as an oily intimate care cream for dry skin.
The influence of underwear on women's intimate hygiene
It is often a woman's own intimate odor that causes her to use too much intimate hygiene. In principle, odors arise wherever bacteria can be found on your skin. An intimate odor is therefore completely normal and no cause for concern. The odor only becomes a cause for concern if it is very pronounced and smells very strong. You should then consult a gynecologist.
But our underwear also plays a major role. No matter how sexy it looks: Thongs are not very healthy for the intimate area. This is because the thong can rub and thus transport pathogens from the anal region to the vagina. Lace underwear is often made of synthetics - this material is usually impermeable to air and promotes sweating. However, heat and moisture are the ideal breeding ground for fungi. Experts therefore recommend breathable and not too tight underwear made of cotton. If you don't want to do without lace lingerie and thongs, you should at least not wear them every day. Even panty liners with a protective plastic film do not let air through, moisture collects, which increases the risk of infection and can also smell unpleasant.
It is better to wash underwear at 60 degrees
Proper intimate hygiene for women is useless if the bacteria and germs remain in the underwear. That's why it should always be washed at 60 degrees - the pathogens are only destroyed at this temperature. If the laundry can only be washed up to 40 degrees, you should use a hygiene rinse aid (drugstore), which also reliably kills the bacteria.
Hands should be clean before use
There are thousands of germs and pathogens on our hands, and we also pick them up when we touch things. It is therefore particularly important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap before using intimate hygiene products. However, normal, antibacterial soap is not enough - it only attacks the skin's natural protective acid mantle.
A few additional rules apply during your period
A tampon should be changed at least every four to six hours. This is because if it remains in the vagina for too long, the body's own bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can multiply in the soaked sponge and trigger a life-threatening toxic shock. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly before inserting the sponge. You should choose the smallest possible size for your bleeding rate and switch to pads at night. Otherwise, don't go to any more trouble than usual during your period - plain water and a mild soap lotion are all you need for proper intimate hygiene.
Don't forget the anus either
Intestinal bacteria can also cause cystitis or other bacterial infections in the vagina. The anus should therefore be cleaned after a large bowel movement - for hygienic reasons, doctors often recommend using bidets and then blow-drying. This way, nothing gets from the back to the front. Nowadays, more and more manufacturers are offering toilets that do away with toilet paper completely thanks to a hair dryer function. In Asia, water cleansing is very popular after a large bowel movement. In everyday life (and for those who do not have such a toilet), toilet paper can be moistened and used to clean the bottom. You should avoid using wet wipes, as these often contain skin-irritating substances such as alcohol, preservatives and fragrances.
Intimate care for women and intimate shaving
In principle, it is not easy to answer the question of whether intimate shaving has a positive or negative effect on intimate hygiene. The fact is that a relatively high number of bacteria accumulate in the hair, which can pose a risk. However, shaving also irritates the sensitive skin in the pubic area and creates tiny cracks into which bacteria can penetrate. Dermatologists therefore advise against intimate shaving. To guarantee adequate intimate care, you should observe the following points:
- Avoid fragrances in cleansing lotions.
- Avoid using intimate deodorants.
- It is best to wash your intimate area with lukewarm water only.
- Once a day is sufficient.
- Only use intimate lotions with an appropriate pH value.
- Avoid synthetic underwear and thong panties.
What can, should and must HE do?
Proper intimate hygiene for women is one thing, but men should also wash their intimate area daily. It is best to clean your penis and testicles under running water with a mild soap or washing lotion. Unlike women, they do not need to use lotions with a specific pH value. It is particularly important that you thoroughly wash off the so-called smegma, the white to light yellow substance between the glans and foreskin. When washing, the foreskin must be pulled back completely to remove the substance. If it is not removed, it can lead to inflammation and even penile cancer.
Men should also use daily cleaning to check the penis and testicles for changes, such as swelling. And: Men can also get a fungal infection or urethritis. In this case, he should go to the doctor immediately to be prescribed the appropriate medication.
You might also be interested in this: