7 tips for a healthy vagina

Image: Konstantin Chagin / 123rf

1. Keep it loose

Avoid wearing too-tight jeans, thongs or wet bathing suits for prolonged periods. These retain heat and moisture, creating ripe conditions for a yeast infection, says Dr Christopher Ng, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Gynae MD Women’s & Rejuvenation Clinic. 

2. Wash with caution

When showering, clean just your vulva with a gentle soap – your vagina self-cleanses with discharge. Also, avoid douching, which can reduce the pH levels of your vadge, leading to yeast infections. 

3. Have a V-friendly diet

Fill up on vitamin A-rich soya, tofu and flaxseed to relieve vaginal dryness. Love yogurt? Good – it contains lactobacillus, which could help stave off a urinary tract infection (UTI), says Dr Ng. 

4. Pee after sex 

This is reportedly one of the best ways to ward off UTI because it helps to flush out bacteria in the urethra.

5. See your gynae

Go for a Pap smear once you turn 21 or become sexually active (whichever is earlier). Get one every three years until you’re 65, advises Dr Ng.

6. Skip panty liners

They absorb vaginal discharge and trap heat down there, increasing your risk of a yeast infection.

7. Switch condoms

Get him to change condoms when switching from oral to vaginal sex, so you don’t introduce bacteria into your privates.

This story was originally published in the May 2016 issue of Her World magazine.

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