Introduction
Vagina is the outer region of a woman’s genitals. Maintaining the vaginal health is very crucial as the vaginal health has a huge impact on the overall wellbeing of the body.
In this article, let’s discuss everything about women’s vaginal health here with expert insights.
What is Vagina?
Vaginal health means maintaining the vagina well without any infection, itching, foul smell, irritation or discomfort.
Vaginal health is a crucial part of one’s overall wellbeing and hence it is important to maintain it well.
What is Vaginal Health?
How can various factors impact vaginal health?
The vagina is one of the most important parts of a woman’s reproductive system.
Since the vagina is present in the outer region of a woman’s body, it is prone to get affected by a lot of factors like:
- Infections: Any bacterial infection in and around the vagina can lead to vaginal problems.
- Hormonal imbalance: Yet another important cause of vaginal problems is hormonal imbalance. Hormones definitely play a crucial role in a woman’s bodily functions, and they do affect a woman’s vaginal health too.
- Medications: Consuming certain medications for any pre-existing health conditions can disrupt vaginal health, such as antibiotics, birth control pills, etc.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy is yet another cause of vaginal problems like vaginal dryness, irritation, etc.
- Sexual activity: Sexual activity could cause vaginal infections, which are caused by the spread of bacteria into the vagina.
- Usage of certain products: Using harmful chemicals and products with fragrance can cause vaginal problems like vaginal irritation, itching, etc.
Symptoms of Vaginal Problems
- Vaginal discharge: Although vaginal discharge is very common, vaginal discharge with noticeable differences in colour, odour, and texture can be a symptom of vaginal problems.
- Irritation/Itching: Irritation and vaginal itching are other common symptoms of vaginal yeast. Persistent itching, irritation and any discomfort in the vaginal region indicates a vaginal problem.
- Painful urination: Any discomfort or pain during urination is yet another common symptom of vaginal problems which should be paid attention to.
- Spotting or bleeding in between the cycle: Although it is pretty common for some women to experience spotting during ovulation, heavy spotting or periods like bleeding in the middle of a cycle is not something to ignore.
- Painful intercourse: Any pain or discomfort during intercourse or sexual activity is another symptom of vaginal problems which should be treated.
- Pelvic pain: Persistent pain in the pelvic region with or without other symptoms, can be a sign of a vaginal problem too.
- Bleeding while urination: Bleeding while urinating is a common symptom of UTI and other vaginal health issues.
It is important to consult with a gynecologist if you are experiencing one or more symptoms mentioned above.
Vaginal Care: How to Keep my Vagina Healthy?
One of the best natural remedies to restore pH balance is to not use any products with fragrance and harmful chemicals near the vaginal area since vagina has the tendency to keep itself clean naturally.
Wash well:
Ensure to wash your vaginal area well with fresh water and pat it dry. Do not use too much pressure while wiping it down.
It is also advised to use lukewarm water during periods to ensure hygiene.
PH balance:
To prevent vaginal dryness and itching, ensure not to use any harmful chemical to wash the vaginal area as it might alter the vaginal pH balance leading to vaginal problems like itching, irritation, etc.
Consult with a gynecologist about the best feminine wash for itching before using any over the counter creams and products.
Menstrual hygiene:
Ensure to maintain proper hygiene during your menstrual cycle to help keep the vagina healthy.
Consult a healthcare professional:
Vaginal health is crucial for overall well-being. Ensure to consult with a gynecologist for regular vaginal assessments.
Although there are a few medicines for vaginal itching available in the pharmacies, it is not advisable to take them without consulting with a gynecologist.
Vaginal dryness natural remedies:
- Hydration
- Exercise routine along with a few pelvic floor exercises regularly
- Avoid products with harsh chemicals and fragrance
If you are looking for menopause dryness natural remedies, try applying 100% pure and natural coconut oil or almond oil to the vaginal area.
Ensure that the oil is pure and does not have any added fragrance or harmful chemicals.
When to consult a Gynecologist?
It is important to consult with a gynecologist if you are experiencing one or more symptoms mentioned above.
Healthcare experts suggest having a general gynecology consultation at least twice a year to prevent yourself from any gynecological issues.
Conclusion:
Vaginal health is one of the most crucial parts of a woman’s overall well-being, requiring proper care and hygiene practices.
By following the above-mentioned practices, you can keep your vagina clean and healthy.
If you are looking for vaginal irritation home remedies, it is better to consult with a gynecologist before using any products on your own.
Apart from maintaining vaginal health, it is extremely important to have routine gynecology checkups twice a year to ensure the vagina is actually healthy and free from any infections or issues.
For consultations with one of the best gynecologists in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, contact Jammi Scans at 91 7338771733 / +91 7904513421
Chennai Women’s Clinic is now Jammi Scans
FAQ
1. What are the signs of a healthy Vagina?
Signs of a healthy vagina include:
- Normal vaginal discharge without any colour or odour
- A vagina that isn’t dry
- No itching or irritation in the vaginal region
- No pain or discomfort during intercourse
- No pain or discomfort during urination
Regular and odourless discharge, no itching or irritation, comfortable urination, and absence of unusual pain during intercourse.
2. Why is my private area dark?
It is completely normal for the private area to be darker than the rest of the body. Darkness in the genital areas could also be due to a lot of other factors like hormonal changes, ageing, PCOS, etc. Ensure to consult with a gynecologist to rule out the issue.
3. Which products are good for the vagina?
Experts suggest not using any chemical-based product in and around the vaginal area to keep it healthy. However, if you are keen on using products, ensure that the products are extremely mild, fragrance-free and made especially for vaginal areas.
4. What is Vaginal care?
Vaginal care means maintaining proper cleanliness and hygiene to ensure that the vagina is clean and free from any vaginal issues or infections. Wash and pat dry the vaginal area and do not use harmful chemicals, as they can lead to vaginal issues like itching, irritation, etc.
5. Is Vaginal discharge harmful?
Vaginal discharge is one of the body’s natural occurrences, which is healthy. It is normal for women to have vaginal discharge but ensure that the discharge is colourless or white and has no foul smell.
6. Can a woman use Dettol to wash her private parts?
No. Healthcare professionals suggest not using Dettol or other antiseptic liquids to clean the vaginal area as they can alter the natural pH level of the body causing vaginal infections.
