Skip to main content
MCHS_Logo_2024_BLACK
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services

      Featured Services

      • Cardiology (Heart)
      • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Digestive Care)
      • Neurosurgery
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
      • Oncology (Cancer)
      • Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery (Bones)
      • Primary Care
      • Spine Care
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Urology

      View all services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Lake City
      • Lake Crystal
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Rochester
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals

    Recent Posts

    • Charlie Pierce
      Patient Stories
      The sound of success: How improved hearing aids career change
      May 01, 2025
    • Produce aisle shopping
      Speaking of Health
      Want to reduce chronic inflammation? Start with your grocery list
      April 24, 2025
    • Know Your Numbers Cholesterol
      Speaking of Health
      Know your numbers: Cholesterol
      April 24, 2025
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight-loss (Bariatric) Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Wednesday, November 2, 2016

    You don't need fancy products for good feminine hygiene

    Topics in this Post
    • Women's Health
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Pelvic Health
    Smiling MiddleAged Woman

    Have you every walked down the feminine hygiene aisle at a drugstore and wondered if all those so-called cleansing products are really necessary? They're not.

    Vaginal cleansing products are not like hair products, although they are just as expensive. More is not better. A woman only needs to clean her vagina with warm water. Yes, warm water. Many women may not realize that the vagina has an acidic environment, which naturally protects against bacteria. Adding chemicals, including anti-bacterial soaps, alters the normal eco-system and can allow growth of bacteria and yeast.

    To practicing good feminine hygiene, you should:

    • Avoid perfumes, deodorants and powder in the vagina.
      A majority of odor is not from the vagina at all, however, it may be from the inner thighs and folds.
    • Maintain a healthy weight, especially in the inner thighs
      This can help eliminate vaginal odor. Consider starting an exercise routine or meeting with a personal trainer to concentrate on thigh exercises.
    • Avoid fashionable panties, thongs and tight-fitting nightwear.
      Consider wearing no underwear to bed and adding loose fitting pants and skirts to part of your wardrobe. White cotton panties are the healthiest option.
    • Wash panties with mild detergent.
      Separate them from other clothing.
    • Consider switching to a menstrual cup or tampons during your period.
      Limit the duration of each and change frequently to avoid leakage.
    • Avoid pantyhose, girdles and panties that are too tight.

    Feminine hygiene and sex

    Media and major marketing campaigns tend to induce insecurity around vaginal hygiene before and after sex. If you are concerned about vaginal hygiene before sex, consider a shower with warm water. After sex, it is important to urinate and avoid douching. Also, consider a condom if you experience vaginal irritation or concerns for abnormal discharge. Although not all vaginal discharge is abnormal, if you have concerns regarding your symptoms, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

    Remember, less is more when it comes to practicing good feminine hygiene. So, skip the trip to the drugstore and feel clean by practicing these healthy feminine hygiene tips.

    By Mayo Clinic Health System staff

    Topics in this Post
    • Women's Health
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Pelvic Health

    Related Posts

    Mother bouncing child on legs Pelvic organ prolapse: What's going on down there?
    Bicycler wearing helmet and sunglasses Uterovaginal prolapse: What's that?
    Women standing together Vulvar health: Pay attention, speak up

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Price Transparency
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Manage Cookie
    © 2018 - 2025 Mayo Clinic Health System