It is estimated that around 800 million women and girls around the world have their period every day. Being able to manage their menstruation in a safe, hygienic and dignified manner is critical not only to their health and education, but also to their economic development and overall gender equality.
SEXUAL HEALTH LEGENDS CAN BE DANGEROUS
The vagina is a muscular tube in a woman’s body that extends from the mouth of the uterus or cervix to the vaginal opening and is designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions (discharge). However, most women do not follow the basic rules for maintaining their vaginal health, as they do not know the difference between intimate and regular hygiene and discussions about the hygiene of the intimate areas can be awkward and embarrassing, so they can simply believe the myths and follow them.
You should know these to avoid bad practices that can cause vaginal health problems!
NO, ITCH IS NOT NORMAL
The biggest myth is that many women believe it’s ‘natural’ to feel itchy and uncomfortable in their intimate areas and therefore don’t see a doctor until they have serious or visible symptoms. Hair growth, sweating, and irritation that can occur when the appropriate underwear is not chosen can be understood to a certain extent. However, it is still not right to ignore it. Even if it’s just a regular bout of itching, it’s best to consult your gynecologist or dermatologist who can rule this out and also refer you to any practice that can alleviate such discomfort.
DON’T PANIC, BE CAREFUL
It’s important to remember that just because your vaginal discharge has a different consistency or odor doesn’t always mean you have an infection or STD, and you shouldn’t panic. These may be temporary changes caused by changes in your lifestyle, environment or body. If such changes persist, contact your gynecologist.
NEVER WASH WITH SOAP
It is a widely believed myth that the genitals and surroundings should be washed with soap every day, but in fact, soap should not be used as it is harsh and causes irritation. Simple washing with water is sufficient.
VAGINAL SHOWER!
Douching is generally believed to be a good practice to keep the vagina clean, but should be avoided as it disrupts the vagina’s natural flora and PH.
Hairiness Problem
Hair growth on the genitals can be uncomfortable for most people. However, it is not good for the area to be constantly exposed to razor or wax. Such practices may increase the risk of infection. Try to keep the razor or wax application intervals as long as possible for the bikini area.
PAD REPLACEMENT
During menstrual periods, most women believe it is okay to use a single pad throughout the day, but prolonged exposure to moist sanitary pads can irritate the skin. Smell too…
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK
For most women of almost all age groups, vaginal discharge is a concern. Although moderate, clear, watery discharge is normal on some days of the cycle, itching, irritation, bad odor, burning, discoloration, etc. flow should not be overlooked. If these symptoms recur for a long time or often, it is better to consult a doctor.