Can you wash your vagina with hot water?

Conversations surrounding vaginal care typically shroud themselves in societal taboos. This offers beginning to myths and misconceptions. With the onset of winter, a typical practise emerges the place ladies use scorching water to scrub the vagina. However is it protected to make use of scorching water to scrub the vagina? Effectively, in keeping with a gynaecologist, washing the vagina with scorching water could pose dangers to vaginal well being as it might impression the fragile steadiness of vaginal well-being.

Is cleansing your vagina with scorching water a good suggestion?

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and also you don’t want to scrub it. However in case you are a kind of ladies who nonetheless need to clear her vagina, keep away from utilizing scorching water. Well being Pictures spoke to Dr Teji Dawane, a senior marketing consultant, obstetrician, and gynaecologist, who says that cleansing the vagina with scorching water is a incorrect practise which might improve the danger of vaginal infections as properly.

“Heat water is mostly thought of protected and can assist in sustaining cleanliness, particularly throughout menstruation or after sexual exercise. Moreover, heat water can forestall the expansion of a few of the dangerous micro organism, present consolation, and will ease muscle pressure, selling leisure,” provides the professional.

5 unwanted side effects of washing vagina with scorching water

1. Could disturb pH steadiness

Scorching water can disrupt the fragile pH steadiness of the vagina. The vagina is of course acidic, sustaining a pH stage between 3.8 and 4.5 to inhibit the expansion of dangerous micro organism. Extreme use of scorching water can alter this steadiness, resulting in infections equivalent to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.

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2. Irritation and dryness

Dr Dawane says, “Scorching water can strip away the pure oils and moisture current within the vaginal space. This will result in dryness, itching, and irritation, making the tissues extra susceptible to tears.” Dryness may trigger discomfort throughout intercourse and improve the danger of creating yeast infections.

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3. Elevated sensitivity

Exposing the vaginal space to scorching water continuously could result in elevated sensitivity. The tissues could grow to be extra prone to irritation from soaps, cleansers, or different merchandise used with scorching water. This heightened sensitivity may end up in redness, itching, and general discomfort.

4. Danger of burns

“If not used cautiously, scorching water may cause burns to the fragile pores and skin across the vaginal space,” warns Dr Dawane. The genital tissues are notably delicate, and publicity to scorching water that exceeds a protected temperature may cause burns, resulting in ache and discomfort.

5. Exacerbate current circumstances

For people with pre-existing circumstances equivalent to vulvovaginitis or inflammatory problems, washing with scorching water can exacerbate signs. The warmth could irritate irritation and discomfort, making it essential to keep away from utilizing scorching water.

What’s the proper strategy to wash the vagina?

You will need to notice that the vagina is self-cleaning organ, and vaginal douching or utilizing harsh soaps can disrupt its pure steadiness. For exterior hygiene, comply with the following tips:

1. Use heat or lukewarm water as a substitute of scorching water when cleansing your vagina to keep away from disturbing the pH steadiness and inflicting irritation.
2. Chorus from inserting something into your vagina, as it’s a canal meant for exterior cleaning solely.
3. Gently wash the exterior genital space with fragrance-free cleaning soap utilizing your fingers, or just use water. Keep away from inserting fingers into the vagina.
4. It’s also possible to clear round your bum as a result of that’s vital however keep away from transferring your hand from the again to the entrance.
5. As soon as carried out, wipe from entrance to again, and at all times wipe after utilizing the bathroom to forestall bacterial unfold.
6. Throughout your bathe, rinse the genital space with lukewarm water.
7. Keep away from douching, as it might disrupt the pure pH steadiness, and go for breathable cotton underwear to keep up a wholesome atmosphere.

Preserve the following tips in thoughts the subsequent time you wash your vagina!