Hey, your vagina’s trying its best. But there’s only so much it can do.
You probably already know, but we’re happy to say it again: the vagina is one of the hardest working organs in your body. Not only is this reproductive organ the lead agent for healthy menstruation, conception, childbirth, and sexual function, it’s also got its own complex immune system. Impressed? So are we.
With that lengthy job description, it makes a whole lotta sense that your vagina is also one of the most sensitive organs in your body. Your vaginal health is dependent on many factors, and as always, we’re here to spread the word. Let’s dive into a few surprising elements that can affect the health of your vagina.
#1: Your underwear choices.
Let us begin by setting you free: contrary to popular belief, there’s little to no statistical evidence that suggest thong underwear leads to increased vaginal infections.1 Are you celebrating yet? Is Sisqo there?!
Here’s the bad news: the fabric of your underwear absolutely can impact your vaginal health.
Your vagina is a cavity lined with mucous membrane.2 Proper air circulation and moisture control are essential to preventing the overgrowth of yeast and “bad” bacteria. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton or cotton-synthetic blends are ideal choices for undies. So, consider stocking up!
#2: Your intimate wash.
Look, we’ll take a win where we can. Given the fact that vaginal hygiene was once literally in the Dark Ages, we’re not mad that you’re giving your vulva (the external female genitalia around your vagina) a gentle cleanse. But if your intimate wash is full of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or artificial fragrances, we may have to file a cease and desist.
We kid, we kid (for now). But you should consider scanning your labels and swapping harsh intimate washes for a pH balanced feminine soap that’s a bit more nourishing, like this one.
#3: Douching.
If you’re noticing that your pH balance is off, and you’ve been partaking in douching, it’s time to stop. Douching, or the practice of inserting a solution or mixture into the vagina to clean it, has been found to contribute to pelvic inflammation.3
NEXT!
#4: Your spa treatments.
If you haven’t heard this before, hear it from us now: you should not be steaming your vagina. Vaginal steaming, or the practice of squatting over herb-infused hot water in order to “detox” the vagina, is an increasingly popular treatment—but we’re advising that you unsubscribe from this trend.
Why? First of all, your vagina is not a pack of frozen broccoli or garlic mussels, and it simply does not need to be steamed. Second? There’s little to no scientific evidence that this practice improves the health of the vagina.4 Third? You can risk infections and second-degree burns.5 Ouch ouch ouch.
#5: Your partner’s hygiene.
Like anyone else, your vagina is completely thrown off by a bad date. And by that, we mean: engaging in sexual activity with someone or something with less-than-stellar hygiene can result in disruptions to your vagina’s pH balance. We’re not surprised! Studies have found sexual activity, in general, can throw off your vagina’s microbiome—imagine how hygiene adds to that cocktail.6
Having sex with someone with a penis? A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the skin of male participants’ genitalia carried bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis, leading to recurrence of the infection in their sexual partners.7
Having digital vaginal sex, or sex in which fingers are used to penetrate the vagina? If there’s unwashed grime under those fingernails, guess where that bacteria has a high risk of ending up?8
We’re wincing already.
Even using sex toys or vibrators that aren’t properly cleaned (soap and warm water, everyone!) can affect your pH balance. TL;DR? Take some time to ensure that who and whatever you’re engaging in sexual activity with is using a proper hygiene routine.
#6: Your food intake.
To clarify: by food intake, we do not mean the foods that you’re literally putting in your vagina, because you should NOT be putting any food in your vagina (check out the full “do not insert” list here). However, your diet can definitely affect your vaginal health.
Studies have shown that high-sugar, high-alcohol, and low-fiber diets have a higher risk of disrupting the balance of bacteria in your vagina, potentially leading to an odors, itchiness, discomfort, and infections like bacterial vaginosis.9 So, if you’ve been noticing these symptoms, you might want to think about adding some whole foods to your diet or a probiotic for pH balance.
#7: Your job.
Sadly, this is not a joke. Walk with us: stress creates chaos in your endocrine system, which manages the production and release of hormones within your body. In turn, increased cortisol production throws off the balance of flora in your vagina’s microbiome, which can result in unpleasant odors, itchiness, and bacterial vaginosis.10 Yikes.
We’re not saying your vagina wants you to stop working overtime, but…your vagina may want you to stop working overtime. If you’ve been noticing any of these symptoms, consider putting any other long-term stressors on the chopping block, too.
