by Trina Remedio

Poor hygiene, leaving the sanitary pad or tampon on for long duration or vaginal infection are the major causes of vaginal odour.

However, the following daily habits can help prevent vaginal odour and maintain feminine hygiene.

1. Diet:

Prevent the consumption of sugar and yeast but increase the intake of yoghurt. Sugar and yeast increases the risk of yeast infection at the vagina. Whereas yoghurt produces the bacteria, lactobacillus which is beneficial in balancing the pH level at this intimate area.

2. Medication:

Certain vaginal odours are a result of serious health issues like STDs, bacterial vaginosis or cervical cancer. After identifying the infection, the medical expert will suggest the necessary medication to reduce the infection.

3. Hot showers:

Hot showers hamper the growth of natural and healthy bacteria at the vagina. Instead switch to cold showers to balance the bacterial level of the vagina.

4. Sanitary pads:

Leaving the sanitary pad on for a longer period of time builds-up bacteria in the vagina. Also scented products affect the balance of vaginal bacteria.

5. Intimate wear:

For hot and humid climate or during the rainy season, cotton underwear is good for the skin and it leaves room for circulation. It is important to choose the right material to reduce vaginal odour.

6. Soap:

Avoid using strong soaps to wash your intimate area. Soaps and body washes have higher pH levels that wash off good bacteria from the vagina. To maintain a healthy vagina, use vaginal ‘soap’ if needed or simply use a lot of water.

It is important for women to observe these simple hygiene tips, so that the cause of vaginal odour would not escalate from a mere infection to a full blown health problem.

The vagina is one of the most important parts of a woman’s body, so please guard it jealously.

————————

Read this article in Health Me Up

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.