What Makes a Vagina Healthy?

Vaginal health is crucial to a lady`s overall health and psychological balance. Its state of health usually depends on a couple of factors such as age, its acidic pH, the number of beneficial bacteria to fight infections, and its level of lubrication. Some people mistake vaginal discharge for unhealthiness, however, that`s not so accurate. Healthy vaginas secrete small amounts of discharge, usually between a teaspoon to a tablespoon of discharge daily. It`s only a normal physiologic reaction shed of cervical and vaginal cells. What may indicate vaginal health challenges are changes in vaginal odor, a change in color of vaginal discharge, some discomfort in the pelvis and vulva, or vaginal itching and burning.

7 Vaginal Health Measures you Should Take

Practice Safe Sex

Using condoms and avoiding multiple sexual relationships will reduce your chances of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as genital herpes, syphilis, HIV,  gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital warts. You should also avoid sharing sex toys.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

This may be new to you, however, it`s crucial. A balanced, nutritious diet with plenty of fluids is essential for vaginal and reproductive health. Yogurt is rich in probiotics; it prevents yeast infections and facilitates their treatment. Greek yogurt is particularly rich in the bacteria, Lactobacilli, and is great for vaginal health. Some studies also suggest that cranberry supplements are great for vaginal health.

Don`t Douche

The vagina would naturally have a pH of about 3.8 to 4.5, however, douching can affect its pH levels, thereby reducing acidity and disrupting its bacterial makeup. Douching won’t solve your vagina`s unpleasant odor; it will only cover the smell without actually curing the problem. See your doctor if you notice an unpleasant odor from your vagina.

Treat Infections As they Arise

Three common vaginal infections women usually have are yeast infection, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. While yeast is a fungal infection, bacterial vaginosis is bacterial, and trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite and is sexually transmitted. Delaying the treatment of these conditions may lead to reproductive health problems. See your doctor immediately you notice any symptom of infections.

Don`t Use Petroleum Jelly

No doubt, lubrication is a vital part of intercourse. Without it, the skin of the vagina and labia can get chafed and irritated. Although vaginal lubrication occurs naturally when females are aroused, some women don`t produce adequate lubricant naturally. This is why they need artificial lubricants to enhance pleasure and reduce friction. You need to be careful with lubricants though, as there are some that interfere with the sperm and make conception difficult. Here`s why people are advised to use pH-balanced products. If you must use a lubricant, use a water-based lubricant. If you still feel dry, try using silicone-based or oil-based lubricants. If you’re using condoms for protection, don`t use an oil-based lubricant because may affect the latex in condoms by causing it to break down. Also, never put baby oil or petroleum jelly inside of your vagina, as it causes inflammation and may increase your risk of contracting infections.

Choose Clothing Carefully

By all means, keep your vagina clean and dry with your choice of clothing. Tight-fitting clothing creates warm, moist conditions where yeast thrives. Wear breathable cotton underwear, not thongs, or similar vagina-unfriendly clothing. If you’re prone to yeast infections, take measures to avoid wet clothing. For instance, change out of sweaty workout clothes and wet swimsuits as quickly as possible. If you discharge a lot, consider taking two pairs of underwear with you every day when you go out so you can change. This will help you feel more comfortable and prevent infection.

Practice Good Hygiene

There are some basic hygiene measures you should take to keep your vagina healthy. Let`s take a look at some of them. After using the restroom, wipe your vagina from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination and lower the risk of bladder infection. Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. You may also wear panty liners to absorb normal vaginal discharge, as long as you change them frequently, and they don`t cause vulvar irritation.

Some Sex and Vaginal Health Facts

• Most women will contract HPV but may never know they did.
• There are strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer or genital warts.
• About 9 out of 10 cases of HPV go away on their own within two years.
• After abstinence, IUDs and implants are the most effective forms of reversible birth control.
• Implants and IUDs don`t protect against any STDs.
• Sex increases immunity to pain because orgasms trigger the hormones needed to increase the pain threshold.
• Sex could cure headaches.
• On average, male orgasms last six seconds, while females may orgasm for up to 20 seconds.
• You should avoid penetrative sex for about six weeks after childbirth.
• Some people have yeast infections from drinking a lot of alcohol, sitting in a wet bathing suit or sweaty workout underwear, or eating a ton of sugar.
• Regular antibiotics intake can kill the good bacteria in your vagina and cause an imbalance that makes the vagina hospitable to fungus. Eating yogurt with live cultures in it may help restore that balance.
• A vaginal “fart,” also called a “vart” or “queef” is odorless.
• Each vagina has its unique smell which depends on a variety of factors such as diet, level of hygiene, its bacteria content, how much a woman sweats, gland secretions, and the types of fabric a woman wears.
• The first two inches of the vagina has the highest amounts of nerve endings and is the most pleasure receptive.
• The acid/base balance of the vagina is around 4, which is the same pH as tomatoes, wine, and beer.
• Vaginal infections, soap, douching, and exposure to semen change the pH of the vagina.
• Sperm contains proteins that have the same anti-wrinkle effect as moisturizers
• The part of the brain associated with fear shuts off when a woman orgasms.
  Meditation enhances arousal and increases the chances of having orgasms.
• Good sex triggers the region of the brain that’s linked to falling in love.
• Anna Swann`s vagina was 7 feet and 5 inches tall and weighed 350 pounds. She gave birth to a 23-pound baby with a 19-inch head. She had the largest vagina.
• Approximately one in 7,000 female babies are born without a vagina. This condition is called vaginal agenesis.
• Researchers believe that pubic hair might have evolved to become a means of trapping pheromones or as a type of sexual ornament.
• A menstruating vagina may smell like iron, while one with an overgrowth of yeast may smell like bread.
• A vagina may smell faintly like bleach after intercourse due to the presence of semen has a smell of its own.
• An overgrowth of bacteria may make the vagina may smell like fish.
• Some women orgasm in four minutes through masturbation, while they may take up to 20 minutes during intercourse.
• Some women orgasm faster through nipple stimulation.
• To stimulate the clitoris, you should rub it gently with the tongue, fingers, or palm.
• The average heart beats 140 beats per minute during orgasm.
• People who have sex at least thrice a week may look 5-7 years younger than those who don`t.
• It may be difficult to urinate immediately after sex because an anti-diuretic hormone gets released when you orgasm
• Masturbation reduces the risk of having diabetes and insomnia.