When it comes to feminine hygiene, it’s important for women of all ages to be very meticulous and consistent with maintaining the cleanliness of their hoo haa. That said, no matter how clean and healthy a woman’s vagina is, it will always have a distinct smell that’s natural and innate.
Here are 7 different feminine hygiene tips that will help you keep it ‘fresh’ down there!
#1 Visit a gynaecologist
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Trips to the gynecologist can be pretty daunting. Nevertheless, they are still recommended and really help with the process of maintaining good feminine hygiene. More importantly, gynecologists offer valuable information on how to maintain the cleanliness of the vaginal area and also recommend feminine hygiene products according to a woman’s specific pH level.
On normal checkups, the gynecologist will just check the vaginal area for anything out of the ordinary. If any vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases come up, they will be treated accordingly. If you are sexually active, visit twice a year (minimum) for a routine pap smear.
One thing to keep in mind, if there’s ever an abnormal discharge with a foul, fishy smell, women are encouraged to visit their gynaecologist immediately.
#2 Trim it down
Pubic hair can cause the vagina to have a ‘funky’ smell. This is because the hair traps sweat and drops of body secretions. In order to have excellent feminine hygiene, shave or trim your pubic hair. For those who want to feel extremely clean, a full Brazilian or IPL is recommended.
#3 Go commando
Cotton underwear that permits the area to breathe, or wearing no underwear at night may be helpful in reducing sweat and odour-producing bacteria.
#4 Wipe it clean
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After each trip to the bathroom, a woman needs to wipe the outer surface of her vagina clean. This eliminates the acrid scent of urine, sweat and natural discharge. Instead of using rough tissue paper, opt for baby wipes instead.
#5 Wash often
Whenever possible, women should wash their private parts in order to smell good. Make it a habit to wash before and after sex to avoid any embarrassing revelations. Do not use regular soaps as it can be really drying and irritating. Utilise a feminine hygiene product for washing purposes and dry the area properly.
When choosing from a feminine hygiene wash available in the market, do look for those with no scent. Products that contain strong scents, no matter how hypo-allergenic they claim to be, can cause infections which leads to itching, swelling and foul-smelling discharge.
#6 You are what you eat
Experts say, ‘you are what you eat’ and that can greatly influence how one also smells ‘down there’. Curb spicy foods, alcohol, garlic, onions, cauliflower, asparagus, cabbage, red meat, dairy, and broccoli if you want to smell heavenly.
Consume lots of fresh citrus fruits like pineapple, grapefruit and orange juice and vegetables like cucumber and parsley to have a fresh smelling scent.
#7 Hydration is key
Drink lots of water which will keep you hydrated, and flush out toxins that can cause odour. If you don’t like water, then opt for green tea which is also believed to reduce foul smells.
Tell us what you’re doing to ensure great feminine hygiene and to keep it ‘fresh’ down there!
READ THIS ALSO: Vaginal odours: How to sniff out if something’s wrong down there
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