Madeeha Syed

Learn why using soap for vaginal hygiene is discouraged. Discover better practices on Meri Sehat for optimal intimate health.

Don’t Use Soap To Clean Your Vagina

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Myth Buster: Can A Vagina Get ‘Loose’?

Overview

Technically speaking, a loose vagina should be the least of your worries but if you have chosen to give into the <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/how-porn-addiction-affects-your-social-interactions-relationships-and-libido">social</a> pressures of how a vagina should be, then this is the article for you.

While the topic should not even exist to begin with, we have a long way to go when it comes shared factual knowledge regarding women&rsquo;s bodies and spreading awareness related to it. It is very common for women to worry about how &lsquo;tight&rsquo; their vagina is thanks to a patriarchal society that places value on what&rsquo;s between their legs over who they are. 

This article will explain how any such notions of a &lsquo;loose&rsquo; vagina are nothing short of absolute nonsense. To start off with, lets deep dive into some science: 
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Myth about Vagina

It is a part of the female reproductive system and plays a key role in sexual intercourse, childbirth and menstruation.

Our vagina is made up of several layers of tissue, including the mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis. The mucosa is the innermost layer and is lined with mucus-secreting glands that help to keep the vagina <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lubrication">lubricated </a>and healthy. The submucosa is a layer of connective tissue that supports the mucosa, and the muscularis is a layer of muscle that helps to control the opening and closing of the vagina.

The vaginal opening is surrounded by the labia majora and labia minora, which are folds of skin that protect the vaginal opening and provide additional lubrication.

Most women are worried their complex-yet-perfectly designed vaginas become loose after they push a baby out from one. Also, for women who are presumed to be sexually active are also referred derogatorily as having &lsquo;loose vaginas&rsquo; as if vaginas are a material object, like a pair of old jeans that become baggy and worn-out with use. That is not true. 
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<h5>A &lsquo;Loose&rsquo; Vagina</h5>

The vagina is a highly elastic and resilient organ that can expand and contract in response to different stimuli, such as sexual arousal and childbirth. However, it is not accurate to say that the vagina can get loose in the sense that it becomes permanently stretched out or loses its ability to function properly.

During childbirth, the vaginal walls stretch and can become somewhat relaxed. However, after childbirth, the vagina will regain its shape and size. This process can take several months and can be helped by pelvic floor exercises (such as kegel exercises) that can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. 
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Bottom Line

It&rsquo;s important to note that there is no such thing as a &ldquo;loose&rdquo; or &ldquo;tight&rdquo; vagina as it&rsquo;s normal for vaginas to vary in size and shape. The vaginal muscles and tissues are designed to accommodate a wide range of sizes and shapes and are capable of adapting to different situations, including childbirth and ageing.

Umna Salah

What Does A Healthy Vagina Smell Like?

Ever go to the bathroom and wonder what that smell was? It must be weird and hard to talk or even wonder about the very personal smell coming from between your legs. However, your body odour can tell a lot about your helath and it should be kept in check.

To start off with, let&rsquo;s get one thing straight: your vagina is not supposed to smell like a garden. Using soaps and other cleaning products do more harm than good to your vagina as it is a self-cleaning organ. 
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Healthy Vagina Smell

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that produces natural secretions to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria and pH. These secretions, also known as vaginal discharge, can vary in consistency, colour, and odour depending on the menstrual cycle and other factors.

Normally, the vagina has a slight odour. The smell can be described as slightly musky, but it should not have a strong or unpleasant odour. The smell of the vagina can vary throughout the menstrual cycle and can be influenced by factors such as diet, hormones and sexual activity.

It&rsquo;s important to note that every woman&#39;s body is different, and what is considered to be a &ldquo;normal&rdquo; smell can vary. However, if you notice any sudden changes in the smell or colour of your discharge, or if you experience other symptoms such as itching, burning, or pain, it&rsquo;s important to see a healthcare provider as it could be a sign of an infection or other condition. 
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<h5>Common Causes Of Bad Odour</h5>

If you notice a sudden change in the smell or colour of your discharge or if you experience other symptoms such as itching, burning, or pain, it could be a sign of an infection or other condition. 
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Some common causes of abnormal vaginal odours include:

<ul>
	<li>Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. It can cause an abnormal, fishy odour that may be more noticeable after sexual intercourse. BV can also cause a thin, greyish-white discharge, itching and burning. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Trichomoniasis: Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite. It can cause a strong, fishy odour and a yellow-green, frothy discharge, along with itching and burning. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Yeast Infections: Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the candida fungus. They can cause a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, along with itching, burning and redness. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea: These are STIs caused by bacteria and can cause a yellow or green discharge, pain or burning during urination and pain during intercourse. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Cervicitis: Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It can cause a yellow or green discharge, along with pain during intercourse, and bleeding after intercourse. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If not by experience, we&rsquo;ve heard references to sometimes &lsquo;fishy&rsquo; smell of the vagina. Women have tried to use all kinds of products to make that smell go away. I implore you: do not use products that are not specifically designed for the vagina otherwise they will do more harm than good.

If you do smell something out of the ordinary, do get it checked out by your gynaecologist or a medical health professional. The extraordinary smell coming from your vagina can indicate an underlying medical condition that may need to be treated immediately.

Having a little information can sometimes be worse than having no information.

Not too long ago, we were seeing advertising for feminine washes all over the media. It sent everyone into shock thinking that okay maybe we need to take care of our vaginas more than what we do already.

As a result, this gave rise to an increased use of soap and other products containing harsh chemicals to clean ourselves down there. That does more harm than good. In fact, it doesn&rsquo;t do any good at all. 
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The question then arises: do we even need to clean our vaginas out?

The answer is simple but people still somehow manage to disregard it completely. Perhaps they are thinking: how can it be? An organ that cleans itself?

Yes, your vagina is an organ that cleans itself.

There are many bizarre &ldquo;<a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/natural-remedies-for-pain">remedies</a>&rdquo; suggested out there for cleaning vaginas. This also includes skin-lightening agents that capitalize on women&rsquo;s insecurity about darker skin naturally found closer to their genitals. 
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Vaginas Cleaning

<ul>
	<li>Using Baking Soda or other alkaline substances to clean the vagina</li>
	<li>Using Vinegar or other acidic substances to clean the vagina</li>
	<li>Steam cleaning the vagina</li>
	<li>Using Herbs, essential oils, or other natural remedies that have not been proven safe for use in the vagina. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

It is important to note that the vagina is a self-cleaning organ and doesn&rsquo;t require any special remedies or cleaning practices beyond regular bathing and good hygiene practices. The vagina is home to a complex ecosystem of bacteria, known as the vaginal microbiome, which helps to keep it clean and healthy.

Using harsh soaps, douches, or other cleaning products can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiome and lead to irritation, infection and other health problems. It is also not recommended to use any remedies or practices that are not medically recommended or supported by scientific evidence. 
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One of the main mechanisms of vaginal self-cleaning is the production of cervical mucus. The cervix, which is the opening to the uterus, produces mucus that acts as a natural barrier and helps to flush out bacteria and other debris. This mucus also helps to maintain the acidity of the vagina, which creates an environment that is hostile to harmful bacteria. 
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Another mechanism of vaginal self-cleaning is the shedding of the vaginal lining. The vagina is lined with cells that are constantly being shed and replaced, which helps to remove dead cells, bacteria, and other debris.

It is not necessary to use any special cleaning products or practices to clean the vagina, it&rsquo;s enough to maintain good hygiene with regular bathing and gentle cleansing with water. Douching, using harsh soaps, or other methods of &ldquo;cleaning&rdquo; the vagina can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiome and lead to irritation, infection and other health problems. 
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vaginal microbiome

Maintaining a healthy and balanced vaginal microbiome is important for a number of reasons.

The vaginal microbiome is made up of a complex community of bacteria, most of which are beneficial and help to keep the vagina healthy. These bacteria produce lactic acid, which helps to maintain the acidity of the vagina. This acidity creates an environment that is hostile to harmful bacteria and other pathogens, which helps to prevent infections.

A healthy and balanced vaginal microbiome also helps to keep the vaginal pH within the normal range, which helps to prevent irritation and itching. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the vaginal lining, which can help to prevent infections and other conditions such as vaginitis.

Additionally, the vaginal microbiome plays a role in maintaining overall sexual and reproductive health. For instance, it helps in sperm survival and also in the process of fertilisation. 
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When vaginal microbiome is disrupted, it can lead to overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which can cause infections such as bacterial vaginosis. This can also lead to other problems like yeast infections, UTIs and even increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections. That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s important to maintain a healthy and balanced vaginal microbiome by avoiding practices that can disrupt it, such as douching or using harsh soaps and other cleaning products. 
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Just don&rsquo;t use soaps. Let your body do its thing. 
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