Let's talk vagina wellness.
You all know I love a good taboo subject and this is something NO ONE talks about. I remember going through sex education classes in high school AND Nursing school and I never learned a damn thing about my vagina. Again, NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT. NO ONE educates about it.
So here I am to educate YOU about it....
1. Caring for your Vagina
Eat the rainbow
I know you probably don't want to hear it, but it's so true. EAT HEALTHY. A diet high in sugars, fried foods, and alcohol will lead to pH imbalances, which contributes to bacterial overgrowth…and can lead to serious discomfort, like itching and burning.
Instead, take care of your vaginal health by choosing fresh foods: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins. Keep sugar low if you can, and try to get in plenty of probiotic-rich foods to keep bacteria levels balanced, or invest in a good probiotic supplement.
I like to think of diet/what we put in our bodies as the absolute baseline. Of our vaginal health, libido, etc. If this isn't fixed first, nothing else will really work.
Drink more water
Getting enough fluids is key for urinary health, particularly in preventing UTIs. Drinking lots of water keeps bacteria levels in check and helps maintain vaginal moisture. It also:
- Gives you more energy for sex
- Boosts blood flow to your vagina for increased arousal
Bottom line: drink water now, enjoy lots of good sex later.
Do not (and I can’t emphasize this enough) douche your vagina!!
Vaginas are self-cleansing. They produce natural secretions that maintain the pH balance in your vagina, making it hard for “bad” bacteria to infect it. But when you kill off ALL its bacteria (including the good stuff) with a douche, you’re disrupting that natural balance.
Considering that up to 40% of women between ages 15 to 44 use douches, let’s get the word out: don’t douche! At best it disrupts your pH levels, at worst it can give you repeated BV infections.
Consider a vaginal moisturizer
SOME lubes double as vaginal moisturizers. Look for pH-balanced formulas that moisturize your vaginal tissues. You’ll want this stuff to prevent microtears during sex, or chafing from tight clothes. Tears in your vagina make it more susceptible to infection, so moisturizers don’t just feel good – they prevent a lot as well
Check the label for parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrance, alcohol and petroleum: if any of these ingredients are present, they might irritate your vagina. I HIGHLY recommend Just Like Me, a water-based, pH balanced lubricant that can be used as a moisturizer for every day use AND a lubricant during intercourse.
Use Lube During Sex!
Any time you put something "foreign" into your vagina (penis, vibrator, fingers, etc) it can disrupt your pH. Using a lube will not only make the entire experience feel better, but you are protecting your vagina and vaginal walls as well.
Use a pH balanced Shower Gel/Bubble bath!
This is one we often don't even think about. But if you are washing your vagina or taking a bath and sitting in soap that isn't pH balanced, you could be experiencing repeat infections.
My favorite body wash that I've been using for 7+ years is this Shower Gel & Bubble Bath. All the scents are amazing AND it's pH balanced.
How do you know if you have an imbalanced vagina?
I wish I had known this information 10 years ago. Here are the three most common ones infections, and how to treat them. I highly recommend going to speak to your doctor if you experience any of these so they can help yo with a plan of action.
Yeast infection
- Symptoms can include: redness, itching, swelling, or burning of the vulva. Fun! (Not.) Painful sex, painful peeing.
- Causes: An overgrowth of fungus called candida. Common culprits include antibiotics (which kill off bacteria), hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, and diabetes: if not well-managed, the increase in sugar in the mucus membranes of your vagina can create a place for yeast to grow.
- Treatments: Topical antifungal medication, and/or antifungal pills. These are typically prescription-based, so for fastest treatment, go for a telehealth appointment to get that prescription ASAP.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Symptoms can include: itching or burning while peeing. Thin discharge that’s slightly gray, white, or green. And I’ll be honest, this one is often accompanied by a not-great smell.
- Causes: BV is NOT caused by poor hygiene, but an imbalance of “good” and “bad” bacteria. Remember what I said about douching: it kills off the good stuff too!
- Treatments: Antibiotic pills, topical antibiotics, or antibiotic creams inserted into the vagina. Same thing here with treatment: call your gyno or go for a telehealth option, and get your meds called into the pharmacy.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Symptoms can include: Burning during urination (or all the time), cloudy pee, or painful spasms of the urethra or bladder. Some vagina owners get chronic UTIs or have big problems getting rid of them, even with antibiotics, which are the standard treatment. Untreated UTI can turn into bladder or kidney infection — yeah, don’t want those.
- Causes: Bacteria from the vagina (or anus) enter the urinary tract and multiply. Wiping from back to front is a common cause. It might also help to pee after sex, to flush bacteria away from the urethra.
- Treatments: Antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines that reduce pain and restore bacteria levels back to normal.
We can all get vagina troubles from time to time. So if you’ve experienced (or are currently experiencing) one of the issues above, don’t sweat it! Treat the infection, and try incorporating these tips into your daily routine. Also, do know that some of these treatments – particularly those involving antibiotics – can cause additional imbalances. So, talk to your doctor to find out if you should supplement with probiotics or do anything else to get your vagina (and whole body for that matter) back on track.
Once you do, you can look forward to a thriving relationship with your vagina!
Hope ya found this helpful!
xo, Jaimie
*Use code VAGINA for 10% off Just Like Me Water Based Moisturizer/Lubricant