Tips & tricks · 6 min read
Proper intimate hygiene: 9 tips for good vaginal flora
Bacteria are not always a sign of uncleanliness. On the contrary, there are also important bacteria that protect our organs, and we need to make sure they stay in balance — in the gut, for example, or indeed in the vagina. In technical terms, this is known as “flora”.
Proper intimate hygiene
The pH value of the vagina is very low — ideal for keeping pathogens from developing. Conversely, this also means that if the pH value is off, or gets out of balance, this protection is no longer guaranteed and thrush can develop.
The pH value can be thrown out of balance by using the wrong hygiene products, and this happens more often than you might think. But it is not just shower gel, soap and shampoo that are bad for the vaginal flora — blood and semen are too.
Blood? Yes, you read that right. Blood, like semen, is alkaline and can therefore affect the pH value. That is why it is important to regularly change whichever hygiene product is in direct contact with your vagina during your period — whether that is a tampon, pad, panty liner, menstrual cup, period underwear or your normal knickers.
Good to know: around 1 in 7 women has, or has at some point had, an imbalanced vaginal flora.
What you can do for good vaginal flora [9 tips]
To keep your vaginal flora intact and protect you well against thrush, we have put together 9 tips for you.
Tip no. 1: only wash the outside — the vulva
Intimate hygiene is important, no question — but have you ever asked yourself “How do I wash my vagina properly?” Strictly speaking, the question should be: “How do I wash my vulva properly?” The vagina is only the inner part, and you should not wash it at all. Our first tip is really more of an essential rule you should always follow: only ever wash the outer area, i.e. the vulva.
You do not need to wash the inside of your vagina, because the vagina cleans itself. Cells and other microorganisms are carried out via your discharge.
Even though your intimate area comes into contact with urine, discharge, period blood and sweat, and usually gets little air on top of that, no excessive care routine is necessary. The intimate area is very sensitive, so never use too many care products. Otherwise you will do your vaginal flora more harm than good.
Tip no. 2: use water and pH-neutral soap
Warm water is perfectly sufficient for cleaning the labia. If you really do want to use a cleansing lotion, make sure you choose a suitable product — meaning its pH value must be right for the vaginal flora.
Warm water and pH-neutral soap — that is all intimate hygiene needs. And when it comes to soap, please follow the principle of “less is more”. When showering or bathing, simply put a little pH-neutral soap on your hand, wash your vulva with it and then rinse off all soap residue thoroughly.
It is important to dry yourself carefully afterwards to avoid moisture. Remember: germs love damp conditions! Please also keep an eye on the hygiene of your towel, because damp towels are the perfect breeding ground for germs!
Good to know: clean the anal area in the same way as your vulva. But always make sure to work from front to back, so that no gut bacteria can get into the vagina.
Tip no. 3: change your knickers every day
This should really go without saying, right? But just to be safe, we will say it again: put on a fresh pair of knickers every day. As mentioned in tip number 1, your vagina cleans itself with the help of your discharge — this is absorbed by your knickers, which should therefore always be changed. Otherwise your underwear can become a breeding ground for bacteria, and we want to prevent that.
In summer, or if you sweat a lot, it can be a good idea to change your knickers several times a day to prevent thrush from developing.
Cotton underwear is particularly gentle on the skin and causes irritation less often than underwear made of synthetic fibres, for example.
Tip no. 4: do not wear knickers that are too tight
Proper intimate hygiene is not just about cleanliness. Quite apart from the fact that overly tight knickers are uncomfortable, tight underwear also frequently leads to skin irritation. Sore spots can encourage infections. At night, it is best to sleep without knickers.
Tip no. 5: regularly change your hygiene products such as panty liners / pads / tampons / menstrual cup
The mucous membranes in the intimate area are very sensitive — not only to care products, but also to contact with hygiene products. As already mentioned, blood affects the pH value of your vagina, so change your tampon, menstrual cup or panty liner/pad regularly. And avoid using scented panty liners.
By the way: when you go swimming, a tampon absorbs not only blood but also the water you are swimming in, which encourages the growth of germs and bacteria. Here it is especially important to change regularly. Or better still, use a menstrual cup. That way you are doing not only your vaginal flora a favour, but also the environment and your wallet.
You can find more on the subject of periods and swimming in our guide article “Swimming during your period – no problem with a menstrual cup”.
Tip no. 6: make sure your vagina is not too dry
Tampons are very practical, but unfortunately they often dry out the vagina. And that in turn encourages infections to develop. Here we recommend reaching for a menstrual cup. Never used a period cup before and thinking of making the switch? Then have a read of our guide article “Menstrual cups for beginners: everything you need to know for your first time”. There we explain in detail how to make a successful switch to a period cup.
Tip no. 7: wipe properly on the toilet
Proper intimate hygiene goes beyond washing alone — you should also pay attention during normal trips to the toilet. Gut bacteria can very easily cause vaginal thrush or a bladder infection. So when you go to the loo, always make sure to wipe from front to back, and not the other way round.
Tip no. 8: watch your diet
A low-sugar diet is recommended, especially if you are prone to thrush or infections. Sugar encourages inflammation and should therefore be reduced in your diet. In addition, you can use special (good) lactic acid bacteria for your vagina — these are sensible and helpful for preventing thrush.
Tip no. 9: remove intimate hair with care
From a health perspective, removing intimate hair is also often a problem, as pubic hair acts as a natural air cushion. Without this cushion, irritation occurs more frequently. Shaving also often causes small injuries, which can likewise become inflamed.
About the author
Selina Macher is a midwife and breastfeeding consultant. Alongside her main profession, she is also on hand to advise SELENACARE customers. She takes care of special enquiries for us and helps out with her specialist knowledge.Recommended products
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of reusable period care has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, reusable alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
Others also read
Endometriosis vs PCOS: The Differences Explained – and What Helps in Everyday Life
Dilation and Curettage (D&C): A Topic We Need to Talk About
