Menstrual and vaginal odours and itching all reflect bad personal hygiene. Dr Parul R Sheth has ways you can avoid these boo-boos

WE learn basic hygiene when we’re kids. Washing your hands, taking a bath, trimming your nails is considered good hygiene practice. Every part of the body needs attention on a regular basis. And yet women are not careful about their personal hygiene.

Stinking odours arise when your body is not cleaned properly and bacteria begin to multiply. Here are a few tips that will help you run your life as smoothly as ever.

Vaginal Hygiene
Other than washing the external genitalia clean, there is no need to really clean the vagina from the inside because it self-cleans. Harsh soaps may irritate the vaginal skin and cause a thrush infection. It’s imperative that your vaginal Ph balance remains normal. Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetic ones. And change regularly for ventilation and evaporation of moisture. If you get thrush, call your doctor.

Lack of hygiene can cause other vaginal infections such as yeast infections, trichomoniasis and vaginosis or vaginitis, a vaginal inflammation. It is true that some amount of bacteria are present in a healthy vagina but overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria can give rise to foul odour, burning and an itching sensation.

Due to the close proximity of the vagina to the anus in women, migration of gut organisms may occur from the anus to the vagina. The normal inhabitants of the rectum, the E.coli on reaching the vagina can cause bacterial vaginitis. Improper use of the Intra Uterine Device (IUD), hot weather, poor personal hygiene, poor health, all contribute to infections.

Often, we don’t trim our pubic hair. While it protects the vagina, it’s also important to trim it every few months to prevent growth of bacteria.

Menstrual Hygiene
It is your choice as to what you use, be it a sanitary pad or a tampon to tackle the bleeding. But wash yourself, including the genital area as you always do and clean your hands before and after handling a pad or a tampon.

Wash your hands before inserting a tampon and do not handle it more than necessary. Do not use a tampon that has been kept unwrapped for a long time. Change your pad often; if not changed for more than a couple of hours, pads can cause soreness on the inner thighs, foster bacteria and create a rash around the vagina.

Studies suggest that tampons unchanged for more than 12 hours can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), giving rise to high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Changes of pad or tampon more often will even help get rid of the typical menstrual odour. Avoid using perfumed talc around the genital area.

After Sex
Scrupulous hygiene is essential before and after sex because you could end up with infections that can be easily avoided. Both partners should cleanse the genital area with water, especially after sex. The most common infection that occurs in sexually- active young women is cystitis, an infection of the bladder. It is important therefore for women to pee after sex in order to flush out bacteria that may be present in the urethra and bladder. Do not hesitate to visit your gynaecologist in case of problems.

A ‘must do’ for women
•Keep the genital area clean, and wipe from front to back after a bowel movement.
•Wash the genital area every time you bathe or shower.
•Wash your hands before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet.
•Use soap only on the outside of the vagina.
•Do not wear underpants or jeans that fit tightly over the genital area.
•Wash the vaginal area before and after sex and keep it dry and clean.
•Douching is not good as it will destroy the natural flora of organisms in the vagina.
•If using diaphragms as contraceptives or medical applicators, cleanse them well before insertion.
•Avoid wearing a bathing suit for long periods of time.
•Practise safe sex.