If you have a vagina, you’ve probably also encountered a few pieces of sage advice for keeping it thriving. Pee after sex. Change out of that sweaty pair of leggings or sopping swimsuit as soon as you can. Stay away from vaginal steaming and douching. Following these oft-touted rules can indeed help you lower your risk of a gnarly infection…or just that itchy-irritated feeling that has a subtle way of, well, taking over your life.
But plenty of other things about maintaining the health of your vagina and the rest of your reproductive system are more opaque, and may even run counter to the popular discourse. Case in point: You really, truly do not want to put a fragranced thing near your vulva despite the continual influx of flowery, fresh, or otherwise scented menstrual products on the market. Nor does your vagina need any product to be or smell clean (more on this below).
It turns out, these kinds of misconceptions can lead to some not-so-great habits. Read on to learn the behaviors that ob-gyns are constantly advising their patients against, why they’re detrimental, and what to do instead to best care for your nether regions and overall health.
1. You brush off random spotting or super-heavy periods.
According to Christine Carlan Greves, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology, there are a couple categories of period-related changes that people tend to hand-wave away: breakthrough bleeding (a.k.a. spotting between cycles) and ultra-heavy periods that create a major inconvenience. With regard to the latter, “I often hear patients say things like, ‘Oh, this is how I’ve always been, or this is how my mom was. I just need to accept that I have to buy three boxes of tampons for each period,’” she tells SELF. But in reality, any kind of bleeding that takes over your life or occurs at unexpected times shouldn’t be accepted as “normal,” she says.
That’s not to say spotting or a heavy flow always indicates a problem. The former could be a side effect of a low-dose birth control pill or even ovulation (when a shift in hormones can cause a bit of your endometrium to break off early), for instance. And the latter may be due to taking a medication that thins your blood, Dr. Greves says. But there’s also the chance that any out-of-the-norm period bleeding is the result of an underlying health condition, she says. For example, certain abnormal growths on your reproductive organs (like uterine or cervical polyps or fibroids) could spark a random gush. And things ranging from hormonal disorders to thyroid problems to endometriosis (when endometrium-like tissue grows outside of your uterus) may trigger relentless periods. There’s also the rare possibility that you’re dealing with a type of gynecological cancer. Again, that’s unlikely—but it’s an important reason not to normalize these symptoms before you know what’s causing them.
What to do instead: Book an appointment with your gyno to get any kind of funky, new-to-you, or life-altering period bleeding checked out. That applies all the more if it’s coming along with hellish cramps or other seriously uncomfortable symptoms. (BTW, here’s a guide for what to do if your doc isn’t taking your period pain seriously.) But even if the associated pain isn’t severe or you’ve found tactics for managing it, it’s important to share any period weirdness with your doctor so they can determine what might be triggering it and potentially rule out more serious issues, as well as offer solutions.
2. You don’t track your period or pay attention to its general cadence.
If your period typically hits each month like clockwork, you might not think to bother with recording its arrival. And on the flip side, if it’s always been pretty irregular, tracking it could seem futile. But in both scenarios (and really anything in between), it’s a better idea to keep tabs on it, both so you can understand your norm and spot any deviations. After all, “menses are a helpful barometer of overall health,” Christie Cobb, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Little Rock, Arkansas, tells SELF. Being able to share certain patterns or even just the average length and timing of your cycles with your ob-gyn can be “an invaluable tool” to help them detect potential issues, she says.
Much like with spotting or heavy periods, an early or late period here or there doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong. Of course, it’s possible that you may be pregnant (which you might catch sooner if you track your period). Plenty of lifestyle scenarios—like experiencing stress, traveling, or even coming down with a bad cold—can also set off the usual frequency of your cycle. But bypassing multiple periods or having irregular ones could also be a sign of a hormonal disorder—like a thyroid problem or a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—that’s interfering with your cycle in ways that could risk your health. And if you’re not aware of when your period hits, it’ll be easier for one of these conditions to fly under the radar.
What to do instead: Use a period-tracking app to take note of when your period arrives (and any symptoms you might experience)—or just write it down in a notebook or calendar if you don’t love the idea of logging your info online. This way, you’ll be able to catch anything offbeat, and you’ll be armed with a record to bring to your next gyno appointment.
3. You bypass lube during sex…or use one that contains glycerin.
Having sex without lube is a bit like getting a massage without any oil—but on one of the most sensitive parts of your body. Even if there’s plenty of natural wetness involved, any amount of friction can translate as painful rubbing and tugging. And if things are drier down there, perhaps as a result of taking hormonal birth control or having gone through menopause, you risk causing micro tears in your vaginal and vulvar tissue, Dr. Cobb says, which can leave your vagina seriously sore after the fact.
@drstephaniecowiend Hormone health is a big part of my practice as is maintaining optimal vaginal health for increased quality of life. When patients experience vaginal dryness, burning, itching, pain with sex or postcoital bleeding they often turn to vaginal lubricants. It’s important to choose a lubricant that doesn’t alter pH and isn’t hyperosmolar. We want the lubricant to be around 4.5pH and below 380mOsm/kg. If it’s not pH balanced it can change your pH predisposing you to infection. If it’s too hyperosmolar it can induce vaginal dryness afterwards by pulling fluid from your tissues. Check your lubricants here: https://badvibesdotorg.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/lube-guide-every-body-edition.pdf If you are over the age of 40yo and experiencing vaginal dryness this is usually a sign of declining estrogen levels and there is a lot we can do for this. Lubricants are not a solution for vaginal dryness but we do have other solutions. (DM me if you need further support) I help women reconnect with their digestive, hormonal and energetic fire. To become a patient to tap into your unlimited energy and fierce potential- book a free clarity call (link in bio). It isn’t okay to be fine. It’s about finding your fire and living your best life. If you struggle with bloating - do my what’s my bloating type quiz- link in IG bio If you struggle with burnout or low energy- download my FREE burnout guide - link in IG Bio #lubricant #yeastinfection #bacterialvaginoisis #menopause #lowestrogen #hormonehealth #womenshealth #hormonebalance #sexualhealth #libido #fyp #foryoupage #drstephaniecowiend ♬ original sound - DrstephaniecowieND
The tricky thing is, not all lubes are created equal. Slathering on one that contains glycerin (often found in certain water-based options, particularly flavored or warming ones) can up your risk of contracting a vaginal infection, Kate McClean, MD, MPH, a board-certified ob-gyn in Seattle and chief medical officer at vaginal health care brand Evvy, tells SELF. How? Glycerin is a sugar alcohol that can serve as fuel for the microbes in your nether regions, in particular yeast. While it’s perfectly normal to have some yeast hanging around down there, an overgrowth of it can lead to a yeast infection (which can cause irritation, swelling, and cottage-cheese-like discharge).
What to do instead: Whenever you have sex, use a hefty amount of lube that’s free of glycerin and other potential irritants like alcohol, parabens, petroleum, fragrances, and flavors. There are a bunch of fabulous options on the market that meet these parameters—check out our guide to choosing the best type of lube for your sexual situation as well as our all-time favorite picks.
4. You use any kind of special “hygiene” product in your vagina or on your vulva.
You’ve probably heard that the vagina is a “self-cleaning oven”—and it’s true: It naturally creates its own cleaning solution, which you might know as discharge. So it really does not need any soaps, wipes, scented sprays, deodorants, or other “feminine hygiene” items of any kind aside from (unscented) period products, Dr. McClean says. In fact, using any of the above can actually knock out some of the good bacteria living therein, screw with your vagina’s pH, and up your risk of an infection. But so long as the cultural narrative persists around vaginas being unclean or smelly, companies will continue to create items deemed to cleanse them. Do not fall for the marketing!
The vulva, or external part of your genitals including the “lips” where hair grows, can use a bit of cleaning (more on this in a sec). But even in this zone, you want to steer clear of the hygiene products listed above—particularly anything scented, which could cause irritation.
What to do instead: Do not—we repeat—do not put anything inside your vagina, no matter what kind of cleansing or freshness the product might promise. When it comes to your vulva, you can just gently wash it with warm water, Renita White, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at Georgia Obstetrics & Gynecology, in Atlanta, tells SELF. If you really want to use a little something else, perhaps to cleanse away debris or sweat in the hair-bearing areas, Dr. White says you can go for a mild, fragrance-free soap. (But if you notice any burning or discomfort, stop using it, and switch back to plain water.)
5. You tend to leave a tampon chillin’ in your vagina for too long.
Having a period and needing to use menstrual products is pretty inconvenient and expensive as is, even before you factor in the recommendation to change your tampon every four to eight hours. So zero shade if you’ve ever found yourself trying to stretch out that window, whether to wait until it feels “full” enough (and make a pack last longer), avoid another bathroom trip at work, or any other reason.
The problem is, letting a tampon overstay its welcome puts you at risk for some rough consequences. First up is a strong and sometimes fishy odor, which can occur when discharge and bacteria glom onto the squatting tampon. The longer it’s in there, the more you also risk irritation and pelvic pain or pressure—after all, the abandoned tampon can shift around or wriggle upward into a less comfy position. Plus, you increase your risk of developing a life-threatening infection, Dr. McClean says, referring to toxic shock syndrome. (Though very rare, it can occur when a tampon left inserted for too long gets saturated with bacteria that leak dangerous substances into your bloodstream.)
@dr.karanr This is why you should never... #learnontiktok #schoolwithdrkaran #sciencefacts #todayyearsold ♬ I spoke to the devil in Miami by XXXTENTACION - Ruby_Shop
What to do instead: Make a point of changing your tampon at least every four to eight hours. No matter how annoying it might be in the moment, you’ll lower your chances of pain and infection down the line. “If your life is getting busy, set an alarm on your phone for whenever you need to check and remove it,” Dr. McClean says. And if longer coverage is a priority, consider swapping to menstrual cups, which can be safely worn for up to 12 hours.
Can’t remember if you actually left your tampon in? The good news is, it can’t get lost inside you—just potentially wedged in the upper part of your vaginal canal. You’ll likely be able to access it if you gently insert a finger and sweep it around your vagina. And if you suspect it’s stuck in a position where you can’t quite reach it, you can always give your ob-gyn a ring for assistance. Dr. McClean says she’s removed tons of ’em.
6. You typically treat discomfort down there with OTC meds.
The occasional bout of itchiness or burning might just seem like part of having a vulva, so it can be tempting to slather on a drugstore cream and call it a day. But before you grab that anti-itch ointment, it’s worth knowing that yeast infections are the only vaginal infections with effective OTC treatments, Dr. White says. Even then, assuming you have a yeast infection and treating it as such can be sticky territory.
There are a bunch of other vaginal infections that can masquerade as yeast—like bacterial vaginosis and certain STIs, for starters—and that won’t get better with at-home solutions; in fact, they may get worse the longer you put off seeing your gyno. Not to mention potential non-infectious causes of a fiery vagina, like lichen sclerosis (an inflammatory skin condition) or vulvar dysplasia (precancerous changes in vulvar cells) that require treatment from a doctor, Dr. Greves points out.
What to do instead: Be sure to book an appointment with your ob-gyn whenever new vaginal symptoms crop up, particularly itching or burning that lasts more than a day or comes along with unusual-for-you discharge. The only scenario where it makes sense to whip out the OTC solutions is if you’re practically positive that you’re dealing with a yeast infection—as in, you’ve been diagnosed by a doctor with a yeast infection previously, and this looks and feels just like that. (Even then, you should probably swing back to their office if you’re experiencing four or more a year, which can signal “complicated” yeast infections requiring different treatment.) So generally, it’s best to see your gyno to make sure you’re treating the right thing, Dr. White says. The sooner you do so, the quicker you’ll get relief from whatever is setting your vagina on fire.
Original article appeared on SELF
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