Vaginal cleaning is not necessary, but cleaning your vulva is. Keep it simple and stick with basic water, but skip any fad regimens you may have heard about.

 

No, but you do need to wash your vulva.

 

Let us recap some basic anatomy. The vagina is the inner canal inside your body.

 

The term “vulva” refers to the outer parts around the vagina, such as the:

 

While you should not wash inside your vagina, it is a good idea to wash your vulva.

 

Washing the vagina can lead to many problems. You might have heard that the vagina is like a self-cleaning oven — a pretty accurate metaphor.

 

When you use soaps, sprays, or gels — and yes, even water — to wash inside your vagina, you disrupt the bacterial balance. This can result in bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and other irritation. So if you want a clean vagina, leave it alone to clean itself.

 

You should wash your vulva with warm water. If you would like, you can use a mild soap that will not irritate the skin — but this is not necessary.

 

Spread your lips apart and gently cleanse around the folds, using a clean washcloth or your hands. Avoid getting water or soap inside your vagina.

 

In addition to washing your vulva, it is a good idea to wash the anus and the area between your vulva and anus every day.

 

It is best to wash “front to back” — in other words, wash your vulva first and then your anus. Otherwise, bacteria from the anus can spread to your vagina, which can cause infections.

 

Nope! You do not have to use soap to wash your vulva, according to Mayo Clinic.

 

If you want to use soap, choose a soap that is unscented, mild, and colorless. Fragranced soap can irritate the sensitive skin in and around the vulva.

 

Most supermarkets have a range of feminine washes and sprays that are said to reduce odor and clean the vagina. Do not buy these.

 

Your vagina does not need any of these items to be clean, and it certainly does not need to smell like a rose garden!

 

These products were essentially created to prey on peoples insecurities regarding their bodily odors.

 

In truth, these products are both unnecessary and harmful, as they can irritate your vulva and vagina.

 

Yes, you should avoid these at all costs. Scented products — whether they are soaps, washes, or sprays — can irritate the vagina and the vulva.

 

Probably not. Your vagina might smell distinctly like a vagina, and that is OK.

 

It is unlikely that someone else will be able to smell it unless they are very close to your vagina — so your sexual partner will probably smell it.

 

But that is perfectly normal, and it is not something to worry about.

 

No vagina is odorless, nor should they be. Vaginas have many possible smells, from coppery to sweet. The smell of your vagina might change depending on your diet and menstrual cycle.

 

If the smell is pungent and unpleasant, contact a doctor or other healthcare provider.

 

Certain conditions, such as bacterial vaginosis, can cause your vagina to smell strongly. Your provider can advise you on any next steps.

 

Vaginal discharge is totally normal. If you are concerned about your discharge, take a look at the color.

 

More often than not, clear and white discharge is the natural lubrication that your vagina produces to keep the tissues moist and healthy.

 

Clear discharge could also be a result of ovulation. This is just a sign that your vagina is doing its job.

 

Your discharge might also appear reddish-brown around your period, as it will be colored by your blood.

 

You might need to chat with a doctor if your discharge is gray, green, or yellow in color, or if it is accompanied by itching, pain, or any other unusual symptoms.

 

You can wash your vulva in the same way while menstruating. If you are concerned about potential odor, you may consider washing your vulva more than once a day.

 

What happens if you wash your vulva with something other than mild soap and water?

Some people use fragranced soap to wash their vulvas without any problems, but it is still not a good idea. Fragranced, harsh soaps can irritate the sensitive skin around the vulva.

 

Vaginal douching involves squirting a solution into the vagina, usually with the intention of cleaning the vagina. This does not work and is not safe.

 

Remember the “good” bacteria mentioned earlier? Douches, like soaps, can irritate and kill off that good bacteria, leaving your vagina more vulnerable to infection.Douching does not make for a healthy reproductive system. Like fragranced feminine washes, they are unnecessary and harmful.

 

Vaginal steaming became a hot topic when Gwyneth Paltrow praised it back in 2015.

 

It involves steeping certain herbs in hot water and sitting over the water so that the steam enters your vagina. It is said to ease cramps, bloating, and other conditions. Vaginal steaming is not a good idea. There is no scientific evidence that it works, and it can be harmful.