Play the Vagina Game

You may have been taught early on to cleanse your vagina daily with strong soap or "feminine hygiene" sprays, but these practices can actually do more harm than good. To have a healthy vagina, clean the area with medium-hot water only to avoid disrupting your natural pH, change menstrual products frequently to prevent bacterial growth, and wipe front to back when using the toilet.

Many people feel paranoid about how they smell "down there" — you are not alone! The truth is, every person with a vagina has their own signature scent, and if you have a sexual partner, your partner probably doesn't mind it a bit. At the same time, if you're feeling a little insecure, then it won't hurt to make sure that you're covering all of the bases when you wash your vaginal area. You deserve to feel clean and confident.

Vaginal odor sounds off-putting, but every woman has their own particular, natural odor, often described as “musky”. It’s nothing to be ashamed or worried about. There are even some natural substances that can slightly alter it without concern, such as certain fruit, or during menstruation when it can become slightly metallic. But if the smell becomes unpleasant, this may be a sign that something is wrong. There are a few different possible causes of unpleasant vaginal odor, and one of the main, and most common, is bacterial vaginosis.

• Bacterial Vaginosis is a common complaint among women of child-bearing age.

• It’s different from an STD or a yeast infection, although some of the symptoms are similar.

• The usual symptoms are abnormal vaginal discharge, whatever that may be for each woman – every body is different, although grayness or a change in the amount of discharge is quite a clear indication; and an unpleasant smell, generally foul-smelling, or fishy.

• Bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria. Vaginas naturally have bacteria, but if it becomes imbalanced, this causes the symptoms.

• It’s not dangerous, but the symptoms can make women feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. It does need treating, especially during pregnancy, as there is a chance that it can affect the baby.

• It is common for it to come back, even after being successfully treated.

Prevention is not only possible, it’s the best way of stopping it – before it even starts. These tips are part of a positive lifestyle that will help to naturally keep you healthy down below. Just add these habits to your daily routine.

This is a must anyway, to avoid contamination from other sources. For example, always make sure to wipe from front to back on visiting the bathroom. When menstruating, make sure to change tampons and pads frequently. Dry around your vagina after washing, swimming and working out, and always change your underwear regularly – especially after exercise. Washing is extremely important before and after intercourse, as many foreign substances can be introduced.

When washing, avoid the chemicals in most wash products – soaps, bubble bath and shower gel – and use a plain, unscented one instead. Never use perfume or deodorant around the groin area as it can irritate and disturb the natural balance of bacteria.

Vaginas actually clean themselves naturally, so all you need to do is let it. Mostly, you just need clean water, and showers are better for this than baths. Although there are many times when you might need to clean that area, don’t do it too often, either, as you can wash away the positive bacteria that it needs. Keep to natural washing and allow your body to organically clean and balance itself.

You should also adopt some minor lifestyle changes, eat foods that boost your vaginal health (e.g., yogurt, fruit, garlic), and do kegel exercises to keep your vaginal area healthy and strong overall.