5 top tips for vaginal health

When it comes to tips on improving vaginal health, sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. Here are 5 everyday tips for improving your vaginal health and reducing dryness and irritation. 

1. DON’T DOUCHE

Whilst douching has become less common in recent times, there are still some women that feel the need to go through the process, believing that it helps your vagina stay fresher and cleaner. The truth is that there is very little scientific evidence to imply that this works - and actually, douching could domore harm than good when it comes to your vaginal health. 

Whilst you want to clean in between your legs - around the vulva and perineum, the vagina itself is self-cleaning. Your V is full of healthy bacteria which helps stop infections and irritation and it cleans out unwanted toxins and bad bacteria through natural secretions (aka discharge).

When you douche you remove the good bacteria from the vagina and you increase the risk of inflammation, vaginal dryness and burning. It can also harm the natural pH balance of the vagina, making it dry and irritated. So next time you’re in the shower - give douching a miss - your V will thank you later. 

2. CHOOSE HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Some of the products you use every day can have a big impact on your vaginal health.

Your vaginal walls definitely fall under the category of ‘sensitive skin’, so you want to choose products that are free from harmful chemicals and ingredients that could cause irritation and dryness. If you wouldn't include it in your evening skincare routine - then you don’t want it in or around your V. 

Tampons, condoms and lubricants often come with ingredients that, whilst not always harmful, could definitely irritate the skin inside your vagina, especially if you are already experiencing dryness. Try to choose products that are as natural as possible - and organically produced if you can. All Vagivital products contains super simple ingredients that are made specifically for your vagina’s sensitive skin - so you can use them in confidence!    

Even things that don’t have direct contact with your vagina could promote poor vaginal health. Fabric softener is one surprise culprit of irritated vaginas, but when strong processed fragrance make their way into your underwear drawer, they can lead to serious irritation - so definitely be conscious of products you are using and always look for those that are created for sensitive skin. 

3. WEAR BREATHABLE UNDERWEAR

Speaking of underwear, one great tip for vaginal health is to take a look at the kind of panties you are wearing. Your choice of underwear can make a huge difference to your V’s wellbeing and some materials are better than others. 

The key is to choose underwear and materials that let your skin (and your V) breathe. Again, going natural is key here - and cotton is definitely the best material for breathable underwear as is making sure you have the right fit - as too tight underwear is not only uncomfortable but could also increase heat and sweat around your V which could lead to irritation. 

You should also make sure that you are changing underwear every day and ensuring they are clean (using natural cleaning products of course!). You also want to avoid wearing wet underwear for an extended period of time - especially important if you are dealing with incontinence or are on your period. A final note on underwear - sometimes it’s best to go without any at all, for the ultimate breathable experience! 

4. STRESS LESS

It can cause dryness and/or discomfort. When you’re stressed, the last thing you want to be is intimate. So it makes sense, then, that your body would follow suit. With stress on your mind, hormone levels will begin to shift—as cortisol rises, testosterone (essential for your libido) will dip. 

When we’re stressed, your whole body shows it - including your V. This is likely down to a shift in hormones that can cause vaginal dryness, and a loss of libido. When we’re stressed our body goes into survival mode, so sex is often the last thing on our minds - and our body responds to this. As cortisol (the stress hormone) rises, testosterone takes a dip. As one of the hormones responsible for libido. It makes sense that we don’t always feel like getting intimate when we’re struggling with our stress levels - but what does that mean for our V?

Well, a lack of arousal means a lack of natural lubrication, which contributes to vaginal dryness. On top of that, your body won’t be sending enough blood down there to increase moisture, so vaginal dryness and/or discomfort is more likely.

Taking some time each day to breathe deeply, get outside and reset your mind can make a huge difference to your stress levels, sex life and vaginal health - so make sure to prioritise self care, even when things get stressful. 

5. USE PRODUCTS MADE FOR YOUR VAGINA

 Finally, one of the most important tips for vaginal health is to make sure you’re choosing products made especially for your vagina. The V is different from the rest of the body, so some products that you use every day, like soap, can contribute to dryness and disrupt the pH balance in your V.

Vagivital has both a cleanser and an active gel to help if you’re feeling dry or uncomfortable down there. The cleanser is formulated to carefully moisturize, cleanse, and restore the balance of your vagina. 

VagiVital gel is a transparent vaginal gel that helps and treats issues like itching, irritation and dryness. With a hydrating gel formula and always soap and fragrance-free, it’s made with your vaginal health in mind. 

Read more about how VagiVital can help you