Intimate discomfort? Tips for proper intimate hygiene

The most important things in brief

• If the genital area is irritated or reddened, burns or itches or if there is a discharge, then you should not ignore it.
• Many women do not dare to address the intimate problems.
• You only go to the gynecologist when you can hardly bear the symptoms.
• However, if you deal openly with this topic, you can avoid the worst manifestations and nip the symptoms in the bud.

Almost every adult woman has had to deal with intimate discomfort at some point in her life. This term includes everything that is uncomfortable: irritation, reddish rashes, a slightly foul-smelling discharge and a constant burning or itching sensation. There can be a variety of causes. Vaginal infections are often the trigger for intimate problems, caused by vaginal dryness, bacteria or fungi.

The vaginal flora protects the intimate area

A healthy vaginal flora, however, keeps these pathogens in check. And this flora is considered healthy when the pH value is between 3.8 and 4.4. This is significantly more acidic than the average skin (5.5), but this is a protective measure of the vagina. This prevents fungi, bacteria and other pathogens from simply passing through the vaginal mucous membranes and getting into the organism.

If the balance of the vaginal flora is no longer given, then the pathogens have it a lot easier and the intimate problems mentioned above can occur. Beyond this, whitish deposits can form on the mucous membrane. Pain during sex can also be a typical sign of a vaginal infection.

What factors influence the vaginal flora?

There is a whole range of influences that negatively affect the vaginal flora. It is often diseases such as diabetes that affect the vaginal flora, but also drugs such as birth control pills or antibiotics. Hormonal changes (due to menopause, breastfeeding or pregnancy) are just as much a cause as a diet that is too sugary.

Sexual intercourse can also have an unfavorable effect, not only through the transmission of pathogens. If the vaginal flora has already been attacked, sperm, as an alkaline liquid, is bad for the pH value of the vagina. Excessive personal hygiene can be just as harmful, since shampoos and shower gels are alkaline.

You can prevent intimate problems with these tips

For this very reason, it is important to cleanse the intimate area mainly with water and to avoid alkaline liquids. You should also do without a washcloth or sponge. And after intimate cleansing, do not irritate the vaginal flora by using scented liquids or oils to mask the natural odor of the intimate area. Multi-Gyn products are highly recommended for alleviating existing symptoms - they are made on a bio-active basis and help the damaged vaginal flora to recover quickly.

If you want to take preventive measures to prevent intimate problems from developing in the first place, so-called prebiotic (onions, leeks, chicory) and probiotic (kimchi, sauerkraut, natural yoghurt) foods are highly recommended. And there is still more you can do - such as always washing towels and underwear at 60 degrees or more, carefully measuring out the detergent, not wearing thongs (preferably wide cotton underwear) and eating low-sugar. If you have just recovered from intimate discomfort, it is also advisable to use a condom during sex.