Having good vaginal health is something that should be important to any woman, regardless of age, race, or social status. Unfortunately, however, not everyone knows the best ways to maintain vaginal health, which can lead to the development of a number of common vaginal problems that become serious.
Stay In Balance
Vaginal health starts, of course, with knowing how to maintain a healthy vagina. One of the top items on the list is having a normal vaginal pH level, but many women who believe that vaginal douching is necessary to keeping their vagina healthy and clean are actually interfering with their pH balance. A healthy vaginal pH level falls between 3.8 and 4.5, but douching or washing with harsh soaps and cleansers reduces the acidity, which can put a woman at risk for bacterial infections.
Healthy Food, Healthy You
Believe it or not, your diet can affect vagina health. Eating a balanced diet and staying properly hydrated are critical to the health not only of your vagina, but also to the entire reproductive system. Work a few dietary do-gooders like cranberry juice and yogurt, which are effective in preventing yeast infections, into your menu. And if you’ve noticed vaginal dryness, think about adding soy into your diet, which will amp up the estrogen and help with lubrication.
Use wise judgment in your sexual activity. Use condoms to prevent the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases like as HIV, genital warts, genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
Check Up On Things
Have routine visits with a women’s healthcare specialist such as a urogynecologist to have regular female pelvic exams and physicals. Any woman over the age of 21 should have had their first gynecological exam, and anyone who is sexually active should have had their first exam within three years of becoming active. Specialists will be able to take a medical history and recognize the signs and symptoms of potential problems, and Pap smears will be able to detect any changes in the vaginal cells that are indicative of cancer.
If you have an infection, take care of it. Infections such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis should be treated with medication when they first present, so that potential damage to the reproductive system can be prevented.
Use artificial lubricants as needed during sex, as lubricant will prevent irritation and inflammation that may happen if the vagina isn’t naturally moist enough. It’s important, however, to avoid using petroleum jelly and other oil-based products because they can cause latex condoms to break down. These substances also increase the risk of developing an infection.
Wear clothing that allows your vagina to stay clean and dry. Wearing certain materials and types of clothing can cause the build-up of heat or moisture in the vaginal region, which can result in bacterial growth or infections.
V is for victory in health! Consult with the caring experts at Coyle Institute today!