When it comes to your lady parts, you probably don’t know as much as you think you do. “Many women don’t even know what the vulva is,” says Libby Edwards, MD, chief of dermatology at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They call everything down there the vagina, but the vagina is the internal organ and the vulva includes the vaginal lips, clitoris, and the opening to the vagina.”
As a vulvar dermatologist (yes, that’s a thing) Edwards specializes in caring for women with chronic vulvar symptoms like itching, pain, rawness, painful sex, and chronic discharge. (For more on the specialty or to find one in your area, visit the National Vulvodynia Association at nva.org.)
You clean too well
The vulva naturally secretes thick oils that protect its delicate skin from the secretions and friction it’s exposed to on a daily basis, Rasmussen says. Scrub off those oils with harsh cleansers (think body washes or douches with dyes, fragrance, or surfactants), and your vulva will be more prone to irritation, she says. (Here are 4 things you should venver, ever do to your vagina.) Worse, you’ll remove the good bacteria that help maintain a healthy pH and make room for odor- and infection-causing bacteria to move in. So keep it simple and clean your vulva with warm water, by hand, then leave it be.
You use feminine hygiene products
You haven’t discovered Vaseline
Irritated vulva? Moisturize it, Edwards suggests. Just like other spots on your body, your vulva can get dry, even if you haven’t gone through menopause yet. (Check out these 9 vaginal issues, solved.) But don’t reach for a regular body lotion, which are typically packed with drying alcohol and irritation-causing fragrances. Try a tiny dot of basic petroleum jelly, like Vaseline ($2, drugstore.com), which is free of fragrance, alcohol, and preservatives.
You don’t know how to deal with post-menopausal dryness
Nearly every woman deals with some degree of vaginal dryness when she hits menopause. “Post-menopausal skin in the area is thinner, dryer, and more vulnerable to irritation,” Rasmussen explains. It can make sex hurt, predispose you to urinary tract infections, and cause urethral and bladder irritation. Luckily, vaginal moisturizers, available at drugstores, can help: “They help retain moisture, but are designed not to irritate the delicate mucous membrane of the vagina,” Rasmussen says. Still, it’s smart to look for an option with a simple ingredient list and dab just a small amount on your inner thigh to make sure it doesn’t cause burning or irritation before attempting full coverage.
You use fancy lubes
Lube is a great option for women experiencing dryness, whether you choose water-based, silicone, or oil-based formulas, says Rasmussen. (Oil- and silicone-based lubes stay slippery indefinitely but can stain sheets and clothing, while water-based lubes wash off easily but can dry out and become sticky.) No matter which you prefer, avoid anything with dyes, perfume, fragrance, flavor, or ingredients that claim to give a tingling or warming sensation, all of which can be irritating. (Here are 8 times you definitely need a personal lubricant.) Yes certified organic personal lubricants ($7, yesyesyes.org) come in both water- and oil-based versions made entirely of ingredients you can pronounce, like aloe, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax.
You’re using the wrong birth control
You wear pretty lingerie
“The way thongs rub your skin can cause tissue irritation,” says Rasmussen. “In general, you’re best off with full-coverage unbleached 100% cotton underwear.” Those with sensitive skin can have reactions to dyes and synthetic fabrics, and the elastic can aggravate women with rubber allergies. But you don’t have to stop wearing pretty little things in the name of health: all of Knock Out’s lacy, colorful underwear have a 100% cotton, dye-free liner (from $19, knockout.com)
You shave (or wax, or use depilatories)
“Most of us store our razor in the shower, a warm, moist environment where bacteria can multiply,” says Rasmussen. “That’s a recipe for infection the next time you nick yourself.” But you don’t have to entirely nix your razor: Just use a natural shaving lotion like Pacific Shaving Company All Natural Shaving Cream ($8, pacificshaving.com), which contains none of the irritating chemicals and fragrances found in traditional foams, and use a brand new blade each time you shave (try buying disposables). Alternative hair removal methods can get you into trouble, too: “The harsh hair-dissolving chemicals in depilatories are very irritating to the sensitive vulvar skin,” Rasmussen explains. Waxing, if done incorrectly, can also be risky because it’s possible to burn the skin. (Read these 13 things you need to know before your next bikini wax.) Your safest bets: laser hair removal or trimming hair with small scissors
Your laundry smells amazing
“When someone comes to me with distressed skin, I immediately ask them what they wash their clothes in,” says Rasmussen. That’s because laundry detergent with dyes and perfumes can irritate delicate vulvar skin. Choose detergents that don’t contain dyes and perfumes, and skip fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which are loaded with irritating chemicals. Look for detergents labeled “Free and Clear”, which means they don’t contain dyes or perfumes. One to try: Gentle Extra-Softening Pureturgent Liquid Detergent ($10, worldmarket.com), an unscented, biodegradable formula with aloe vera.
Tags: GYNECOLOGICAL HEALTHSKIN CARESKINHEALTH MISTAKES
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