Numerous women tend to take a lot of time fussing with their face, skin, and hair.

They painstakingly spend minutes or even hours to ensure that their face is free of acne and their arms and legs are soft and smooth because they want to enhance their natural beauty and look clean.

However, many should also consider their feminine hygiene to help prevent countless problems and diseases.

Here are six ways to keep yourself hygienic down below:

1. Know how to wipe

Knowing how to wipe properly after a bowel movement is more important for women than men.

Men can wipe however they want as long as they ensure that their private parts are clean. For women, however, it’s crucial to do it from front to back.

This manner of wiping will prevent unclean particles from contaminating the urethra. It’s vital to follow this tip because improper cleaning could cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).

However, aside from using the right wiping method, you need to be mindful of the toilet paper you use.

You need to pick a strong and thick one to prevent contaminating your hand. At the same time, the paper must be soft to avoid irritating your private parts.

Lastly, to protect the environment and your toilet plumbing system, you should consider getting biodegradable, 100% recycled toilet paper from companies like icare.

2. Pay attention to what you eat

Don’t think that eating healthy only affects your skin or your gut.

Being smart about food is a simple habit that could improve other parts of your body, and your life as a whole.

Eating food rich in probiotics, like yoghurt, may help improve good bacteria in your gut and your feminine parts.

If you’re prone to UTIs, you may want to drink plenty of water and cranberry or coconut juice, which are believed to help prevent this type of infection.

3. Keep it dry and clean

A moist environment is usually ideal for bacterial growth, which could cause minor issues like itchiness or more severe problems like bacterial and yeast infections.

Thus, it’s always essential to ensure that your private parts stay clean and dry.

After peeing, be sure to dab the area with quality toilet paper to keep it clean and minimise moisture. But don’t overdo the wiping because frequent rubbing could irritate the delicate skin in your nether regions.

If you have sweaty private parts, wearing and using breathable feminine products are advisable.

Also, changing your sanitary napkin or tampon often will help prevent the proliferation of bacteria and may help keep things drier down there.

4. Be smart about sex

One of the first things you ought to remember is to use protection properly because it not only prevents unplanned pregnancy but, more importantly, also protects you from contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) ranging from gonorrhea, chlamydia, or even HIV.

Another thing to keep in mind is to tidy up after intercourse. Wash the area with mild, unscented soap and warm water.

If you don’t have access to water, using feminine wipes or wet toilet paper could do the trick. Again, remember to dab instead of rub to prevent irritation and minimise the risk of leaving residues.

5. Stay away from chemicals

You don’t need to douche your feminine area with scented products because it’s capable of self-cleaning via natural discharge.

Using harsh ingredients could disrupt the average pH balance and natural flora of good bacteria in your nether regions.

Instead of helping, douching could irritate and make your genital area more prone to bacterial and fungal infection.

Although a bit of douching could make your area down there smell more pleasant for a while, it might lead to more harm than good in the long run.

However, it’s essential to note that the vulva, unlike the vagina, is not self-cleaning. But don’t worry, it’s easy to clean. Just use mild soap, preferably unscented, to do so while you’re in the shower.

After taking a bath, don’t forget to dry the area completely before you wear your undergarments.

6. Be mindful of what you wear

The type of undergarment you wear is crucial in keeping your private parts dry and moisture-free.

Wearing thick, tight-fitting pants or stockings could affect the condition in your nether regions. So, to give your genital area time to breathe, be sure to wear loose clothing made from natural materials when you sleep.

During the summer, stay away from synthetic and tight pants. Instead, wear dresses or linen or cotton pants so air can circulate to prevent sweat and moisture down there.

The bottom line

Women should pay more attention to proper hygiene in their nether regions.

Knowing how to follow hygienic practices and correctly cleaning yourself after urination, bowel movements, and sex will significantly help prevent diseases such as yeast and urinary tract infection.

Lastly, it’s essential to use gentle products like tissue paper from icare when cleaning down there.