How to Keep Your Vagina Clean and Healthy

Your vagina is self-cleaning. Read that again. Understanding how to keep your vagina clean and healthy is not just essential for women but also affects the health of their male partners. A well-balanced vaginal environment reduces the risk of infections, improves comfort, and promotes better sexual health for both partners.

It been medically proven that maintaining vaginal health can help prevent infections like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and even sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can be transmitted between partners during sex. Hence, a clean and healthy vagina contributes to the overall well-being and sexual satisfaction of both women and their partners.

How to Properly Clean Your Vagina

First things first: your vagina and your vulva are not the same.

Vaginal health is a key component of a woman’s overall well-being. While the vagina is a self-cleaning organ, knowing how to keep your vagina clean and healthy helps you avoid irritation, infections, and discomfort. Let’s explore six important areas to focus on:

• The vagina is the internal canal – it cleans itself naturally through natural discharge and a balanced pH that flush out impurities and prevent infections.

• The vulva is the outer part (labia, clitoris, vaginal opening), and this is what you should be cleaning.

Here’s What to Do

• Use warm water and mild, unscented soap (Femfresh or the Oriflame Feminelle wash is perfect. You can find it in most supermarkets). Wash the vulva gently with your hands, not inside the vagina. No need for sponges or scrubs.

• Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Pat the area dry with a clean towel to prevent moisture buildup.

• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to avoid spreading bacteria from your anus to your vagina.

• Stay hydrated—water helps flush toxins out of your system.

• Maintain a healthy diet rich in probiotics (like yogurt) to support good bacteria.

• Practice safe sex—use condoms to protect against STIs.

Here’s What NOT to Do

• Don’t douche (washing out the vagina with water or a mixture). Your vagina cleans itself. Douching removes good bacteria and increases the risk of infections.

• Avoid scented soaps, wipes, or vaginal perfumes. These can irritate the vulva and mess up your pH balance.

• Don’t scrub or use sponge. The vulva is sensitive so treat it gently.

• Don’t sleep in tight underwear. Let your vagina breathe at night. Wear breathable, cotton underwear or better still sleep with no underwear.

• Don’t use harsh exfoliants or loofahs on your vulva.

Understanding Vaginal Discharge

A healthy vagina produces discharge, and that’s normal, It changes throughout your menstrual cycle and during ovulation! Here’s what to expect:

• Clear or white discharge is normal and helps keep your vagina clean. Normal discharge is usually clear or milky and may have a mild scent.

• Thick white, itchy discharge could mean a yeast infection.

• Grey or fishy-smelling discharge means bacterial vaginosis (BV).

• Yellow or green discharge is a sign of an STI. Get checked ASAP.

How to Stay Fresh All Day

If you’re worried about odor or feeling fresh throughout the day, try this:

• Drink enough water. It helps flush out toxins.

• Change your underwear daily (or more if you sweat a lot).

• Use panty liners if needed but don’t use them everyday because they can trap moisture.

• After sex, pee and clean up to prevent infections.

• Refrain from unprotected sex with new partners.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice:

• A strong, foul smell that won’t go away

• Itching, burning, or unusual discharge

• Pain during sex or urination.

• Unexplained bleeding or spotting

It’s time to get checked and I have the perfect doctor for you. It could be an infection that needs treatment.

Now that you understand how to keep your vagina clean and healthy, remember it’s all about balance, hygiene, and awareness.

Keeping your vagina clean is simple - less is more. Your body knows what it’s doing, so trust it. Focus on gentle care, healthy habits, and letting your vagina do its thing.