FEMININE HYGIENE
Vulva
and vaginal basics
and vaginal basics
First things
first: What is the vagina, what is the vulva, and what is the difference
between the two? In medical terms, the vagina refers to the internal muscular
tract extending from the cervix to the vaginal opening.
first: What is the vagina, what is the vulva, and what is the difference
between the two? In medical terms, the vagina refers to the internal muscular
tract extending from the cervix to the vaginal opening.
The vulva is the
external part of the female genital tract, which includes:
external part of the female genital tract, which includes:
-The inner and
outer labia (labia minora and majora)
outer labia (labia minora and majora)
-The glans
clitoris (the external part of the clitoris) and clitoral hood (the fold of
skin protecting the glans clitoris)
clitoris (the external part of the clitoris) and clitoral hood (the fold of
skin protecting the glans clitoris)
-The vestibule
(which surrounds the vaginal opening)
(which surrounds the vaginal opening)
-The urethral
opening
opening
To maintain
vulvar and vaginal health, a person must ensure that two important aspects
remain balanced: their pH, which is
a measurement that denotes something’s acidity or alkalinity, and their
bacterial balance.
vulvar and vaginal health, a person must ensure that two important aspects
remain balanced: their pH, which is
a measurement that denotes something’s acidity or alkalinity, and their
bacterial balance.
Studies indicate
that vulvar pH is usually 3.5–4.7, while vaginal pH varies according to a person’s age and
the stage of their menstrual cycle.
that vulvar pH is usually 3.5–4.7, while vaginal pH varies according to a person’s age and
the stage of their menstrual cycle.
So, before a
person reaches reproductive age and starts menstruating, their vaginal pH will
be 7 (neutral), whereas a person of reproductive age may have a vaginal pH of
3.8–4.4. At menopause, depending on whether or not a person undertakes hormone
replacement therapy, their vaginal pH may be 4.5–5 or 6.5–7.
person reaches reproductive age and starts menstruating, their vaginal pH will
be 7 (neutral), whereas a person of reproductive age may have a vaginal pH of
3.8–4.4. At menopause, depending on whether or not a person undertakes hormone
replacement therapy, their vaginal pH may be 4.5–5 or 6.5–7.
No matter how
comfortable we are with our bodies, we all have times where we question how we
smell down there. You’ve likely thought to yourself at some point, “Do I smell normal?” “And
what’s normal anyway?”
comfortable we are with our bodies, we all have times where we question how we
smell down there. You’ve likely thought to yourself at some point, “Do I smell normal?” “And
what’s normal anyway?”
Everyone’s
vaginas, even healthy ones, have their
own special scent. Still, that below-the-belt area sometimes gets a bad
rap. “People think the vagina is the dirtiest place on the planet,”
says Alyssa Dweck, MD, assistant clinical professor in the Department of
Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Science at the Mount Sinai School of
Medicine in New York City and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V.
vaginas, even healthy ones, have their
own special scent. Still, that below-the-belt area sometimes gets a bad
rap. “People think the vagina is the dirtiest place on the planet,”
says Alyssa Dweck, MD, assistant clinical professor in the Department of
Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Science at the Mount Sinai School of
Medicine in New York City and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V.
Vagina has
particular smells, which vary from person to person, influenced by clothing’s material, diet and how much you’re hydrated.
Education is important when it comes to feminine hygiene.
particular smells, which vary from person to person, influenced by clothing’s material, diet and how much you’re hydrated.
Education is important when it comes to feminine hygiene.
How does the vagina clean itself?
The vagina is
able to remain clean due to natural secretions (also known as discharge), which
are produced from the cervix.
able to remain clean due to natural secretions (also known as discharge), which
are produced from the cervix.
Healthy
discharge shouldn’t have a strong odour or colour. That said, the consistency
of vaginal discharge will vary throughout the menstrual cycle, and the quantity
may increase or decrease.
discharge shouldn’t have a strong odour or colour. That said, the consistency
of vaginal discharge will vary throughout the menstrual cycle, and the quantity
may increase or decrease.
If you
experience abnormal discharge, or it starts to smell, change colour, or cause
an itch, you should see your doctor.
experience abnormal discharge, or it starts to smell, change colour, or cause
an itch, you should see your doctor.
The vagina also
contains bacteria, which help to prevent infection in a few different ways.
Firstly, the good bacteria in the vagina usually outnumber any bad bacteria
which enter the vagina. The good bacteria also maintain a healthy pH level in
the vagina, produce types of natural antibiotics to kill or reduce the amount
of bad bacteria, prevent bad bacteria from sticking to vaginal walls and
invading that tissue.
contains bacteria, which help to prevent infection in a few different ways.
Firstly, the good bacteria in the vagina usually outnumber any bad bacteria
which enter the vagina. The good bacteria also maintain a healthy pH level in
the vagina, produce types of natural antibiotics to kill or reduce the amount
of bad bacteria, prevent bad bacteria from sticking to vaginal walls and
invading that tissue.
Why are ‘feminine hygiene’ fads dangerous?
Feminine hygiene
fads, such as douching, scented wipes, or vaginal deodorant, can be dangerous
because they disrupt the good bacteria in the vagina, which creates an
imbalanced environment.
fads, such as douching, scented wipes, or vaginal deodorant, can be dangerous
because they disrupt the good bacteria in the vagina, which creates an
imbalanced environment.
If the pH level
of the vagina is able to increase, the number of bad bacteria can also
increase. This may lead to infections, including bacterial vaginosis and
thrush.
of the vagina is able to increase, the number of bad bacteria can also
increase. This may lead to infections, including bacterial vaginosis and
thrush.
Instead of
douching or using scented wipes, gently wash the vulva with unscented soap and
water everyday. You don’t need to wash the vagina, because it will clean
itself.
douching or using scented wipes, gently wash the vulva with unscented soap and
water everyday. You don’t need to wash the vagina, because it will clean
itself.
How to keep your vagina healthy
Keep the vagina clean and dry
Cotton is
breathable, making it an ideal fabric selection for underwear. It can down on
moisture as it keeps your skin cool and dry. With breathable fabrics like
cotton, you have a reduced risk of bacterial growth and infections. On the flip
side, fabrics like satin retain moisture. That reduces airflow, creating
irritation and friction. And that encourages yeast and bacteria growth, which
can lead to infections. You should also change out of sweaty workout clothing
and wet swimsuits to help prevention infections.
breathable, making it an ideal fabric selection for underwear. It can down on
moisture as it keeps your skin cool and dry. With breathable fabrics like
cotton, you have a reduced risk of bacterial growth and infections. On the flip
side, fabrics like satin retain moisture. That reduces airflow, creating
irritation and friction. And that encourages yeast and bacteria growth, which
can lead to infections. You should also change out of sweaty workout clothing
and wet swimsuits to help prevention infections.
Don’t douche
Your vagina
knows how to take care of itself. It self-cleans and naturally produces some
discharge that helps get rid of germs and bacteria from your body. So, douching
or using harsh cleaners or soaps can disrupt your natural pH balance and can
irritate your vagina and wash away good bacteria. Plus, douching will only mask
the smell—not cure what’s going on. For example, if your vagina smells like
something rotting (such as rotten fish), you may have bacterial vaginosis, a
common vaginal infection. Stick with warm water and mild soap on the vulva, Dr.
Dweck says. “You don’t need to clean the inside of the vagina,” she
says.
knows how to take care of itself. It self-cleans and naturally produces some
discharge that helps get rid of germs and bacteria from your body. So, douching
or using harsh cleaners or soaps can disrupt your natural pH balance and can
irritate your vagina and wash away good bacteria. Plus, douching will only mask
the smell—not cure what’s going on. For example, if your vagina smells like
something rotting (such as rotten fish), you may have bacterial vaginosis, a
common vaginal infection. Stick with warm water and mild soap on the vulva, Dr.
Dweck says. “You don’t need to clean the inside of the vagina,” she
says.
Eat right
Maintaining a
healthy diet can do your body and your vagina good. Foods like yogurt with live
cultures contain good-for-you bacteria that help promote vaginal health. If
you’re prone to urinary tract infections, research in Archives of Internal
Medicine suggests it may be helpful to take a cranberry supplement daily.
healthy diet can do your body and your vagina good. Foods like yogurt with live
cultures contain good-for-you bacteria that help promote vaginal health. If
you’re prone to urinary tract infections, research in Archives of Internal
Medicine suggests it may be helpful to take a cranberry supplement daily.
Use fresh towels
Wash and replace
towel and washcloths after you use them. Reusing towels isn’t wise because
bacteria can cling to these surfaces. And that potentially puts you at risk for
an infection.
towel and washcloths after you use them. Reusing towels isn’t wise because
bacteria can cling to these surfaces. And that potentially puts you at risk for
an infection.
Practice safe sex
The Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention says that consistent and correct use of latex
condoms reduces the risk of any sexually transmitted diseases that are
transmitted by genital fluids such a gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
However, condoms provide less protection against STDs spread through
skin-to-skin contact like genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis, says the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Disease Control & Prevention says that consistent and correct use of latex
condoms reduces the risk of any sexually transmitted diseases that are
transmitted by genital fluids such a gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
However, condoms provide less protection against STDs spread through
skin-to-skin contact like genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis, says the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Stay clean
It sounds simple
but it’s important to wipe from front to back until the toilet paper shows no
residue. That will help prevent bacteria from getting into the
vagina. Change
sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. If you’re wearing panty
liners, change them frequently. However, if you wear them all the
time, you may have some irritation.
but it’s important to wipe from front to back until the toilet paper shows no
residue. That will help prevent bacteria from getting into the
vagina. Change
sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. If you’re wearing panty
liners, change them frequently. However, if you wear them all the
time, you may have some irritation.
What to avoid in feminine hygiene products
Talc: Avoid
powders such as talc or corn starch.
powders such as talc or corn starch.
Shaving:
Minimize (or avoid) shaving to care for delicate vulvar skin.
Minimize (or avoid) shaving to care for delicate vulvar skin.
When to worry about your vagina
If you
experience any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor. They could
indicate a vaginal infection or another gynaecological condition:
experience any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor. They could
indicate a vaginal infection or another gynaecological condition:
-vaginal
irritation
irritation
-changes to the
quantity, colour, or smell of vaginal discharge
quantity, colour, or smell of vaginal discharge
-redness around
the vulva
the vulva
-itching
-bleeding during
or after sex
or after sex
-pain during sex
-bleeding
between periods
between periods
-bleeding after
the menopause
the menopause
-pain when
peeing
peeing
Choose Your Right Feminine Care!!!
An imbalance in healhty intimate flora can result in variety of symptoms, such as itch, odour and excessive discharge.
Betadine Feminine Wash Foam Daily use Gentle protection immoetelle, is designed exclusively for feminine hygiene needs. It nourishes and supports growth of your healthy intimate flora for natural protection against feminine discomforts.
➤ Soap,Paraben, Colourant Free
➤Gynaecologically tested
➤ Helps maintains natural pH
➤ Contains prebiotics
➤ Moisturises gently
➤ Hypoallergenic
Formulated from Natural Ingredients :
1. A prebiotic that helps stimulate the growth and dominance of beneficial bacteria and prevents harmful organisms from growing.
2. With its unique Tri-Care+ formulation combined with prebiotics, and provides daily protection from unwanted symptoms associated with pH imbalance.
____________________________________________________________________________
The Feminine Series is formulated to help woman of all ages maintain healthy intimate hygiene with the benefits of traditional, natural plant-based extracts such as Chamomile and Oak Gall. It also helps to reduce irritation, lighten and soothe skin, prevents excessive discharge and thereby enhancing confidence. This series is suitable and safe for pregnant women, teenagers and pregnant women including after childbirth and after monopause.
99% pure Manjakani with traditional herb extracts for intimate feminine hygiene freshness
• Helps lighten & soothe the skin of intimate area
• Feminine and exotic fragrance
• Helps lighten & soothe the skin of intimate area
• Feminine and exotic fragrance
DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Pour a small amount of Feminine Hygiene Wash onto moistened palms. Gently wash the delicate area. Rinse well with water.
Pour a small amount of Feminine Hygiene Wash onto moistened palms. Gently wash the delicate area. Rinse well with water.
A gentle intimate wash with natural soothing, antiseptic and anti-fungal properties suitable for young girls, teenagers and women of all ages
• Helps maintain an ideal pH of 3.5, balances the well-being of vaginal flora
• Helps reduce irritation
• Helps reduce discharge thereby enhancing confidence
• Helps maintain an ideal pH of 3.5, balances the well-being of vaginal flora
• Helps reduce irritation
• Helps reduce discharge thereby enhancing confidence
DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Pour a small amount of Feminine Hygiene Wash onto moistened palms. Gently wash the delicate area. Rinse well with water.
Pour a small amount of Feminine Hygiene Wash onto moistened palms. Gently wash the delicate area. Rinse well with water.
ATTENTION!!
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Prepared by : Nur Hazida Binti Abdul Jabar / NurAin Amirah Bt Azman
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