Summer can wreak havoc on our bodies, but in particular, the extra heat and moisture can cause problems with vaginal health if not kept in check. Here are six tips for keeping your vagina healthy this summer —
1. Wear Cotton Only
Cotton is not only hypoallergenic, it allows your skin and vagina to breathe, which is especially important when it’s hot outside. Ventilation not only leaves you feeling less clammy, but prevents yeast and bacteria build up in your private parts, which can lead to uncomfortable infections. While much sexier, underwear made of synthetics or silks are known for doing the exact opposite — trapping moisture and warmth, leaving you vulnerable to itchiness and irritation, if not an infection. Try not to stay seated for too long or wear tight clothes that absorb sweat either — if you’re working out, consider switching to looser fitting cotton clothes. No yeast infection is worth it.
2. Ditch the Douche
Our vaginas are self cleaning! You may be tempted to use soap in there, or even douche, but this can really harm your vagina’s natural pH levels and environment. Good bacteria exists in our vaginas to help control the overgrowth of less friendly kinds — if you use soap and eliminate all the good bacteria, a lot more harmful bacteria will come gate crashing the party causing symptoms to worsen. Opt for something like our organic cleansing intimate wipes made with natural ingredients like olive oil and chamomile to balance out the pH levels.
3. Drink More Water
While water keeps you hydrated and cool, it also flushes your system of toxins and irritants. Drinking a greater volume of water leads to peeing more frequently which in turn flushes out the sugars that feed yeast infections. Dry skin down there can also lead to chafing and micro-cuts which will only be made more painful by the heat.
4. Keep Out of Wet Bathing Suits
Wet bathing suit bottoms are the perfect host for yeast and bacteria; given their synthetic composition and absorption of moisture, they are one of the most common reasons women get yeast infections. Make sure if your privates get wet, you air them out thoroughly. Consider sitting in front of the air conditioner legs splayed to get some much needed cool, or perhaps turn your hair dryer downwards for a quick blow out!
5. Use Powder
Using powder on the skin near your vagina to absorb extra moisture can reduce the chance of developing an infection, but also immediately eliminates the source of chafing! It’s a great way to dry up quickly and smell nice but try not to use it after a very hot shower while your pores are open, as it can be absorbed into your skin and cause breakouts. Also be weary of using it very close to your vagina as it can be an irritant if it gets inside. Yeast can feed off of cornstarch and inflame more rapidly, so avoid baby powders and those with talc.
6. Consider a Probiotic
While the vagina is largely self-cleaning, for those prone to chronic infections, there are several products aimed at restoring the pH levels in your vagina and keeping the environment slightly acidic to protect from viruses and other bacteria. Contrary to popular belief, eating yogurt will only help to some degree, given that the flora of the gut and vagina are so different. Try Hum Nutrition probiotics or Love Wellness acid suppositories to do the trick!