Washing is healthier. How should women clean their private parts?

Author: Wang Aihua, deputy chief pharmacist, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University

Reviewer: Wang Sha, Ph.D., Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University

Many gynecological diseases are related to not paying attention to private hygiene, such as not paying attention to cleaning the vulva and not changing underwear in time.

We have to defecate and urinate every day, so there will be a lot of bacteria left in the private parts and underwear. These bacteria can easily enter the vagina, disrupt the normal flora environment of the vagina, and cause vaginitis. Pathogens in the vagina ascend to infect the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and pelvic cavity.

Therefore, doctors recommend that women clean their vulva and change their underwear every day.

Perhaps influenced by advertisements, many women believe that their private parts need to be cleaned regularly with lotions. However, if healthy women frequently use lotions to care for their genitals, it may be counterproductive.

Let’s first take a look at the types of washes commonly used by women.

1. What are the types of commonly used feminine washes?

The lotions on the market can be divided into three categories according to their production numbers: pharmaceutical, disinfectant and cosmetic.

The drug number is the national drug standard number. This type of product is a drug with a clear therapeutic effect and can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. Women with gynecological diseases who need to use it should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and pay attention to the method, frequency and dosage of use. For example, if there is an ulcer on the vulva, it is necessary to use the original solution for wet compresses to promote wound healing. Some require vaginal washing. If the concentration of the original solution is too high, it may cause local burning. It must be diluted to an appropriate concentration before washing or flushing.

The "Xiao" lotion is a lotion that has obtained health approval from the relevant departments and has a disinfecting and sterilizing effect. However, the female vulva has its normal microbial environment. If the lotion is used for sterilization for a long time, it may cause an imbalance of the normal vulva flora. Therefore, it is not recommended for healthy women to use it frequently.

As the name implies, lotions with makeup numbers are cosmetics. They can only cover up bad odors and provide care, but they do not have any therapeutic or antiseptic effects. If the lotion is only used for daily care, even if it is confirmed that the pH value meets the human body standard, it is not recommended to use it every day. It should be used intermittently. If the vulvar skin becomes dry after use, or if it causes vulvar itching after use, it must be discontinued.

Figure 1 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

2. Can healthy women use vaginal washes to prevent vaginal diseases?

Under normal circumstances, a woman's vagina has a self-cleaning function and can kill bacteria through the microecological environment in her body. In this case, there is no need to use a wash solution.

If a woman suffers from vaginal diseases such as vulvitis or vaginitis, she may need to use a wash to treat it. After treatment, it is completely unnecessary to use a wash to prevent these diseases, because the occurrence of vaginal diseases is related to many factors. Using a wash alone to prevent vaginal diseases will not only be ineffective, but may even be counterproductive.

3. How should healthy women clean their vulva?

Healthy women can just wash their vulva with clean water.

Figure 2 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

The female vulva has a normal microecological environment. If the washing liquid is used frequently, it may lead to excessive washing of the vulva, destroy the microecological environment, cause bacterial flora imbalance and pH imbalance.

Excessive washing is not just about using too much washing liquid, but also includes excessive vaginal douching. Studies have shown that frequent vaginal douching may increase the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Therefore, healthy women can just use warm water to wash their vulva. If the water quality in the area is poor, you can boil the water and let it reach a suitable temperature before washing.

Showering is the preferred method of cleaning. If you cannot shower, you can prepare a basin specifically for cleaning the vulva. Do not use the same basin for multiple purposes and do not share it with others.

After cleaning, you can use a clean towel to gently press the vulva to absorb excess moisture, but do not rub it too much. Because the female vulva is very delicate, excessive stimulation can easily cause vulva itching. After washing and wiping, wash the towel and put it in a ventilated place and expose it to the sun to disinfect it.

After cleaning the vulva, the underwear should be changed once a day. After washing the underwear, it should be placed in a ventilated place and dried in the sun.

In addition, before and after intercourse, both parties should pay attention to cleaning the vulva.

Many women usually pay attention to cleaning the vulva, but they don't wash it during the menstrual period. They think that the vulva should not be cleaned during the menstrual period. This is a big mistake. During the menstrual period, because of wearing sanitary napkins and panty liners, menstrual blood, leucorrhea, urine stains, etc. are all mixed together, which is more likely to breed bacteria. You must pay attention to menstrual hygiene and pay more attention to cleaning the vulva during the menstrual period. If the amount of menstrual blood is relatively large, it is okay to wash it twice a day with warm water.

Many women ask, I don’t use any lotion to wash my vulva, but I use shower gel and soap to clean my vulva when I take a bath, is this okay?

Most shower gels and soaps are scented. Long-term use of scented shower gels or soaps may cause allergic dermatitis. The pH value of soaps and shower gels with cleaning effects is alkaline, generally above 7. For normal women, the vulva and vaginal environment is weakly acidic, with a pH value generally between 3.8-4.5. Therefore, long-term use of alkaline shower gels and soaps to wash the vulva will destroy the normal pH value and cause bacterial flora imbalance.