How to Keep Your Vagina Cleaner

Medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD

Last Updated: June 27, 2022 References Approved

Keeping your vagina clean is an important part of your overall health, but you might be surprised how easy it is to do! Although this is a self-cleaning organ, you can take additional steps to improve your vaginal hygiene. We have all the tips you need for what to do and what to avoid in order to keep your vagina healthy and clean!^{[1]
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1

Wash Your Vulva Daily with Suitable Soap and Water

Washing the correct way is important in maintaining a healthy vagina while also preventing infections. While it is okay to wash your vulva, you should not put soap inside your vagina.
- Use a regular, unscented soap instead of a body wash since regular soap has less alcohol content (scent) than body washes.
- Scented products, such as body washes, can cause itchiness, irritations, and odor.

2

Clean Areas Around Your Genitals

External parts, such as the vulva and the labia majora (the larger outer folds of the vulva), should also be cleaned with soap and water every day.^{[2]
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- Clean at least once a day to get rid of sweat, traces of urine and discharge that accumulates through out the day.
- Use a washcloth or free hand while cleaning.

3

Wear Comfortable and Dry Clothing

Keeping your vagina clean and dry is important to reduce the risk of infection and overgrowth of bacteria. Some fabrics can increase heat and moisture in the vagina so avoid the following:^{[3]
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- Wear cotton underwear instead of thongs.
- Avoid wearing tight-fit clothing.
- Change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes immediately after you’re done.^{[4]
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4

Change Your Menstrual Products Regularly

When you’re having your period, your vagina is constantly moist so changing products regularly is vital. Extra moisture and warmth can lead to infection.^{[5]
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- Change pads or tampons every 2-8 hours during your period.
- When you’re not on your period, avoid wearing pads or panty liners to absorb vaginal discharge. These can lock in moisture, which can promote infection if exposed to bacteria or yeast. If you need to use panty liners, change them regularly.

5

Practice Safe Sex

Practicing safe sex helps prevent against harmful bacteria and sexually transmitted diseases and promotes vaginal health.^{[6]
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- Always use a condom when having sex, especially if you are not in a monogamous relationship.
- Make sure to always change condoms when switching from anal or oral sex to vaginal sex. This will help prevent harmful bacteria from entering into the vagina.
- Use lubricants when having sex. Lube helps prevent the skin of your labia and vagina from becoming irritated.
- Lubrication occurs naturally but some women don’t produce enough. Using an artificial lube can help prevent friction and irritation.
- Avoid petroleum jelly or other oil-based products as these can break down the latex in condoms, making them ineffective and can cause infection to the vagina.^{[7]
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- You may also want to shower after having sex so you can remove bodily fluids and residue from the condom that may otherwise cause irritation or infection.

6

Have Regular Checkups

In order to maintain good vaginal health it’s important to have regular checkups with your gynecologist.
- During a gynecologic exam, your doctor will take a pap smear that can help diagnose diseases (such as cancer) or disorders that can affect the health of your vagina as well as your reproductive system.^{[8]
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- As you reach the ages of 21, your gynecologist will begin cervical screening. These screenings look for changes in the cervix and are used for diagnosing cancer.^{[9]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
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7

Eat a Healthy Diet

The key to maintaining vaginal health is a nutritious and well-balanced diet as well maintaining proper hydration. Add the following foods to your diet to promote vaginal hygiene:^{[10]
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- Cranberry juice may help treat and prevent yeast infections.^{[11]
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- Yogurt may help maintain vaginal pH balance.^{[12]
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- Soy products help with vaginal dryness and act as a natural lubricant.^{[13]
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- Nuts and wheat contain vitamin E that help prevent vaginal dryness while also aiding in keeping your skin healthy.^{[14]
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- Water helps your body function correctly and is essential for the health of the mucous membranes, such as those in your vagina. These membranes rely on proper hydration so getting enough water is essential.
- Drinking 8 glasses of water a day also promotes natural lubrication and a milder vaginal scent.^{[15]
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8

Avoid Using a Loofah

Rough and hard washcloths and loofahs can create small tears and expose you to infection. Avoid these and use a soft washcloth or your hand instead.^{[16]
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- Also, do not clean yourself more than once a day. Excessive cleaning can disrupt the pH balance and lead to dryness.^{[17]
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9

Avoid Douching

Douching flushes water into your vagina, cleaning out natural bacteria and secretions. You should avoid douching because:^{[18]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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- It interferes with your pH level and reduces the acidity in your vagina. This can make you more prone to infections.
- It will only temporarily cover up smell instead of curing it. If you have a strong vaginal smell, consult with your doctor instead of using a douche.

10

Avoid Scented Products

Avoid scented wipes, deodorants and feminine products. Products that contain perfume disrupt your vagina’s pH balance and can cause irritation.
- If your concerned with the way your vagina smells consult your doctor.
- Vaginal odor changes at different times of the menstrual cycle so don’t always think a bad smell is a sign of infection or illness.^{[19]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
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11

Treat a Yeast Infection

Yeast infection is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans yeast.^{[20]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Overgrowth of Candida albicans can happen due to antibiotic use, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, impaired immune system or changes in your normal vaginal flora.
- Symptoms of yeast infection include itching and burning, painful urination, gray or white vaginal discharge that is thick, pain during sex, and redness/swelling of the vulva.^{[21]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Yeast infection can be treated with antifungal ointment, tablet or suppository, such as butoconazole (Gynazole-1), miconazole (Monistat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin), and terconazole (Terazol 3).^{[22]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication called fluconazole (Diflucan).
- Reduce your risk of yeast infection by avoiding douching, wear loose-fitting pants, avoid pantyhose, and change wet clothes as soon as possible.^{[23]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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12

Treat Bacterial Vaginosis

This condition is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina and is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44.^{[24]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- Bacterial vaginosis is thought to result from imbalance in the normal vaginal bacteria. New or multiple sexual partners and douching may disrupt the balance and lead to switching from “good” to “harmful” bacteria.^{[25]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- Bacterial vaginosis may be symptomless or you may notice white/gray vaginal discharge, pain or burning, or fish-like odor. Itching inside and outside the vagina may also occur.
- Bacterial vaginosis may make you more prone to sexually transmitted diseases.
- Sometimes this condition can go away without treatment but your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. Best way to prevent bacterial vaginosis is to maintain proper vaginal hygiene that supports normal healthy bacterial balance.^{[26]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}

13

Prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

STDs are bacterial, viral or parasitic infections are transferred from partner to partner during unprotected sex. More than 20 types of STDs are known (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis).^{[27]
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- Many STDs can be symptomless but if you do experience symptoms they may include unpleasant odor, white, clear, yellow, or green vaginal discharge, itching, and painful urination.^{[28]
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- Some bacterial and parasitic STDs can be treated with antibiotics whereas others have no cure, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and genital herpes, but can be managed with medications.^{[29]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- If you suspect you have an STD, contact your doctor immediately and/or make an appointment for testing.

Warnings

If you have symptoms of STD, yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, seek medical treatment immediately. Some STDs can have serious complications.

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