What to do after urinating to keep the vagina clean

Like any other body part, you should maintain the proper
hygiene of your vagina. Maintaining hygiene does not mean that you must smell
like fresh flowers all the time. All you have to do is just make sure that you
follow simple and effective hygiene
practices to keep the vagina clean. Hygiene practices will save you from a
lot of troubles related to an unhygienic vagina. The common one being in the
form of urinary tract infections. And, of course, you would not want to face
any of those troubles.

What to do after urinating to keep the vagina clean?

• Wash
  the vulva with plain water

Several people make the mistake of washing the vagina
instead of the vulva. Yes, you should wash your vulva with water and not the
vagina. The vulva consists of the vaginal lips and the clitoris that you should
wash after urination.

You should also know the reasons as to why avoid washing the vagina. Douching
for the vagina is a big no! It can disturb
the normal pH of the birth canal (vagina). If you frequently wash the
vagina, it causes harm to the good bacteria and may lead to vaginal dryness.
And as the good bacteria decreases, the vagina becomes more prone to
contracting infections.

• Use
  gentle, mild soaps only if necessary
  
  
  
  

Sometimes, using only mild soap to keep the vagina clean is
fine. But it is not at all fine if you use soap (even a mild one) every time
you clean the vulva and the vagina. To use the mild soap properly, open the
vaginal lips and clean the folds with your hands gently. Just make sure that
that soap does not enter the vagina. Using scented soaps escalates the chances
of irritation. Hence, only use non-fragrant mild soaps that won’t disturb the
pH of the vagina.

• Wipe
  it and pat dry

Although it is a very simple tip, you must know the right
way to wipe your vagina after urinating. The right way to wipe your vagina is
from front to back. If you do it the wrong way (from back to front), it can be
unhealthy for your vagina. Wiping from back to front can bring unwanted
bacteria from the rectal area in contact with your vagina. And it may result in infection
of the vagina.



Just one or two wipes are enough to clean. If you tend to over wipe the vagina,
it irritates the skin. Sometimes, it may even result in either inflammation or
infection. And you should only use unscented wipes to clean the vagina after
urinating. The scented wipes can increase the chances of irritation and
inflammation of the skin of vulva and vagina. And always keep it in mind to not
insert the wipe inside the vagina to clean it. 

• Avoid
  excess wiping and washing of the vagina

You do not need to use the wipes and the mild soaps every
time. The vagina is self-cleaning in nature, in the form of vaginal discharge.
If you try to keep it extra clean after every time you pass urine, you might
drag yourself in trouble. Too much wiping and washing with scented products
will surely disturb the natural pH. Rashes and irritation are common symptoms
you might have to face after too much wiping off and douching.

What to avoid while cleaning the vagina?

• Do
  not scrub the vulva and the vagina just for the sake of cleaning it. This
  will do you more harm than any benefit.


• After
  washing the vagina, only gently pat it dry with the wipe. Avoid rubbing
  the vagina too roughly. 


• Never
  use a rough cloth or loofahs to clean the vagina.


• Do
  not use deodorants or scented products to keep the vagina extra clean.

Tips for maintaining the health and hygiene of the vagina

There are some things you can do to maintain vaginal health.
Some of the common tips are discussed below.

• After
  peeing, wipe from front to back.


• Never
  go from anal sexual activities to vaginal before cleaning. 


• Always
  pee before and after sex.


• Wear
  cotton underwear to keep your intimates airy.


• Change
  sanitary napkins regularly, if possible every 4-6 hours. 


• Do
  not douche the vagina with chemicals at all.


• Do
  not shave off pubic hair.


• Use
  soft wipes or tissues to wipe the vagina.


• Do
  not wear tight-fitting clothes that can restrict air circulation around
  the vagina.


• Rinse
  under-clothes properly with mild detergent.


• Change
  sweaty or wet clothes as soon as you can.

Always make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after
urinating and cleaning the vagina. Wash the hands with soap and wipe them clean.
Plain water does not serve the purpose of getting rid of unwanted bacteria
after urinating. Washing the hands properly with soap is even better than just
using sanitizer, it does not completely kill the harmful bacteria.

Change your underwear every day for hygiene purposes. Also,
you must change the sanitary napkins after 4-5 hours. This will keep your
vaginal health safe from unwanted bacterial growth. 

If you notice any unusual changes such as rashes, itching, or irritation, then reach out to a gynecologist. Other symptoms indicating an
underlying infection or problem can be excess or foul-smelling
vaginal discharge. Also, if you experience vaginal dryness, then do
not leave it unattended. Leaving the above-mentioned symptoms unattended can
cause the symptoms to grow severe with time. 

Going for self-medication when you face any irritation in or
around your vagina can backfire. Popping in medicines without consulting a
specialist can cause side effects and allergies.

When to see your gynecologist?

See a gynecologist if you experience one or more of the
following signs and symptoms-

• Pain
  while urinating or during sex


• A
  pungent and fishy vaginal odor


• Blisters,
  sores, or warts around your vulva or vagina 


• Unusual vaginal
  discharge


• Thick
  white vaginal discharge that resembles  cottage cheese


• Continuous
  vaginal itching


• Unexplained
  bleeding or spotting for many days

It is always a good idea to see a gynecologist  near you about
your vaginal health if you have any other doubts, questions, and concerns.
Also, make sure to undergo regular Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer.