Intimate Hygiene: The Importance of Genital Hygiene - Keeping It Clean & Healthy Down There

1. To keep your genitals happy and healthy.

We understand how darn crucial it is to keep your body fit and healthy to live a peaceful lifestyle. There are tons of beauty products, fitness techniques, and health practices we follow, for this very reason. However, most people forget or perhaps overlook genital hygiene. Poor intimate hygiene can also interfere with your mental peace; hence, one should not compromise with genital health.

2. To stay away from germs and infections, some as grave as STDs.

The chances of Urinary Tract Infections, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and many other yeast-related infections increase manifolds in people with poor or no genital hygiene. These infections can further lead to graver complications if you are somebody dealing with urinary incontinence.

3. To boost your sexual self-confidence yourself.

Most men and women lack confidence when it comes to sexuality. The biggest reason cited for it by experts is that they do not feel good enough about themselves. To love yourself, you must first understand your body well. Well-thought intimate hygiene helps you come closer to your own self. It can also aid in building up your sexual self-confidence.

4. To have a satisfying sex life.

Odor and smells are quite common and absolutely normal. But not when you're with your partner in bed in the middle of the act. It can become a huge turn-off. In a male body, smegma builds up and is a mixture of moisture, oil, and dead skin cells, around the shaft of the penis. While in women, it is the vaginal discharge which is milky whitish fluid, is often considered normal. These genital secretions, if not regularly cleaned, may lead to a pungent smell and an itchy vulva.

5. To avoid embarrassing moments during sex.

Usually, the vaginal flora is a naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina known as the lactobacilli that maintain an acidic PH inside the vagina. The acidic environment kills any harmful organisms and keeps the vagina safe from UTIs. Thus, genital hygiene is quintessential. However, one must know that a feminine hygiene routine should not perturb the pH balance of the vagina. The process of keeping your genitals is quite simple. However, one does need to learn the ropes.

To clean Vulva

• Clean the perineal skin area with a block of mild non-fragranced soap and water. 
• You may want to wash the genitals once every day and after sexual intercourse. Washing it too many times may perturb the vaginal PH. 
• Interestingly, as the vagina is self-cleansing, one does not invest too much time and effort cleaning it. Hence, using a chemical-based product down there may lead to unwanted growth of harmful infections. 
• Prefer to clean the area in a back & forth manner, that is, the vulva or genital area cleaned first and then the anal area. It is because the anus does contain harmful microorganisms that can travel to the vagina and lead to the development of UTI. 
• Pat dry the genital area with a perineal skin wet wipe or a towel. 
• Use your fingers to cleanse the folds of the labia. 
• Refrain from using lukewarm or hot water to clean down there. The skin of the genitals is extremely sensitive and prone to infections. It is recommended to use cold water to do the cleansing.

During the Menstrual Cycle

The bleeding during the menstrual cycle differs from woman to woman. Some experience very low to moderate bleeding, while some experience quite heavy bleeding. Medical experts opine that using unscented pads and tampons prevents the risks of infections and does not perturb the pH levels. Many medical professionals recommend menstrual cups as well.

Penile Health

• Use mild unscented soaps to wash the penis. One must prefer to use your hands and not a cloth, as the fabric may be too harsh for your skin down there. 
• Avoid usage of scented body washes in the perineal areas.

Uncircumcised care

• Clean underneath the foreskin every day and after sexual activity, pull the foreskin back, use a mild unscented soap and hands to clean. 
• Also, pull the foreskin back while peeing to avoid infections and odors.

Clothing

• Use underwear and lingerie made from natural fabrics. 
• Do not go for too tight or too loose clothing especially undergarments. 
• Prefer sleeping commando at night to give your genitals enough fresh air

Haircare

• The pubic hair acts as a protective shield. It reduces friction during sexual activities and prevents the transfer of harmful bacteria. 
• Although experts opine against the practice of shaving pubic hair, they recommend the use of a separate razor and unscented shaving cream. Usage of soap and water is a complete no. 
• Shave in the direction of hair growth and not against it for better results and lesser itchiness. 
• UTI & cellulitis risk increases after removing pubic hair. Therefore, one should not shave their private parts too often. 
• Since the skin of your intimate areas is very delicate, use a gentle loofah or scrub. 
• Besides shaving, waxing is another way of removing pubes. But it must only be done by a professional. Hot wax causes burns; therefore, not many go for this method. 
• Trimming is the most convenient and safe way of keeping your pubes neat. Use a sterile pair of scissors and rinse thoroughly after use.

Moisturization

• Coconut oil, olive oil, and Vaseline are considered safe to use on your genitals. However, women should not use them on the insides of their vaginas. 
• Lubes or lubricants are used widely during sexual intercourse. Many use natural oils as lubes. Howbeit, one must avoid them if you are using a condom. These oils can rupture the condom halfway through sex. 
• It is also important to understand that your body may or may not react to these oils and lubricants as somebody else.

1. Apples

Apples are rich in phytoestrogen phloridzin, which helps in the maintenance of sexual health. While eating apples allows men to prevent prostate cancers, in women, apple aid in increment of sexual functions, vaginal health and makes your orgasms better.

2. Avocados

Avocados have ample amounts of healthy fats, vitamin B-6, and potassium. All of these increase your libido. Avocados are nicknamed the "testicle tree" as they contain zinc which is considered beneficial for testosterone levels in men. Interestingly, it enhances lubrication and strengthens the vaginal walls.

3. Leafy Green Veggies

Leafy veggies purify and improve blood circulation. They are rich in nitrates and folates, which help prevent erectile dysfunction in men and avoid vaginal dryness in women.

4. Carrots

Carrots are rich in carotenoid and flavonoid luteolin that are also found in sweet potatoes and cabbage. The carotenoid enhances the quality and mobility of sperm. Similarly, the flavonoid luteolin diminishes the risks of ovarian cancer.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are considered fruitful in enhancing male as well as female fertility. The collagen present in tomatoes positively affects the elasticity of vaginal walls. Similarly, the Lycopene found in tomatoes relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow to the penis.