“When you put on underwear when your vagina is still damp, you’re locking in all the moisture from your shower in a warm, damp space. This can make bacteria grow more quickly, leading to issues like yeast infections.”— Ellen Scott, metro.co.uk
“Scrubbing the living daylights out of your labia is not only unnecessary—a gentle cleansing will do, really!—but harsh soaps can leave you dry and irritated below the belt.”— Laura Tedesco, shape.com
“For a little extra workout—for your vaginal muscles, that is—trade your desk chair for a Swiss ball for 15 minutes a day. This forces the muscles of your pelvic floor to contract, without doing a single squeeze.”— Laura Tedesco, shape.com
“If you’re 25 or younger, you should be screened for chlamydia annually; ask your gyno how often you should be tested for other STIs, including HIV.”— Peg Rosen, health.com
“Wear cotton paneled underwear or pop Go Commandos cotton patches into your pants. If you don't like underwear or want to let your vagina breathe while feeling cleanly, the Go Commandos patch is the next best thing to wearing nothing at all. Your vagina will love the freedom!”— Bonnie Gayle, yourtango.com
“If you don't know how to please yourself, how do you expect someone else to succeed at it? If you don't experience sexual pleasure regularly, you are depriving yourself of a basic human need. Self-pleasuring is a way to get to know your body so that you can experience pleasure, release and be able t…”— Bonnie Gayle, yourtango.com
“Sex toys are NOT regulated. If you are using or have any sex toys that are porous, made of PVC, contain Phthalates, are jelly in texture, and/or smell like chemicals beware that they are harmful to your body. Get rid of them immediately. They contain toxins and chemicals are highly harmful to your v…”— Bonnie Gayle, yourtango.com
“Dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach, collards, and Swiss chard are extremely rich in vitamins A and C, and are great for promoting blood circulation and fighting off infections. Greens can help reduce itching and burning sensations in the vagina, and prevent any dryness.”— Dharam Barrett, iheartintelligence.com
“Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc and vitamin E, which help maintain regular periods, and fight off vaginal irritation and discomfort. Like avocados, nuts and seeds help lubricate the vagina to prevent dryness, and also relieve menstrual cramps.”— Dharam Barrett, iheartintelligence.com
“Vagina Hugs: Your vagina needs love and attention. This does not always have to look like rocket ship orgasms. Vaginas like to be touched and held. Sometimes, simply holding and rocking is enough. Or gentle petting either with dry hands or with lubricant. Try that when you wake up in the morning or…”— Pamela Madsen, huffingtonpost.com
“Take off your panties! That’s right. Go commando and let your vagina breathe! Have you ever had the audacity to take a walk outside in a skirt with no underwear on? It can feel fantastic! That’s because you vagina needs to ‘air out’.”— Pamela Madsen, huffingtonpost.com
“Buy a jade egg or Kegel Beads. Not everyone has a partner, and even for those of us that do, we may not be having intercourse enough for our vaginal health. By wearing a jade egg or playing with Kegel Beads, we are taking the health of our vaginas into our own hands. The use of the egg or beads can…”— Pamela Madsen, huffingtonpost.com
“Irritated vulva? Moisturize it. Just like other spots on your body, your vulva can get dry, even if you haven't gone through menopause yet.”— Celia Shatzman, prevention.com
“Avoid anything with dyes, perfume, fragrance, flavor, or ingredients that claim to give a tingling or warming sensation, all of which can be irritating.”— Celia Shatzman, prevention.com
“Having regular gynecological exams is crucial to maintaining your vaginal health. Every woman should have her first gynecological exam by age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active.”— Dennis Thompson, everydayhealth.com
“If you experience vaginal dryness, ask your doctor if you should eat more soy products, which contain a weak form of estrogen that can aid natural lubrication.”— Dennis Thompson, everydayhealth.com
“Douching can interfere with the vagina's pH levels, reducing its acidity and setting the stage for bacterial infections.”— Dennis Thompson, everydayhealth.com
“Snacking on yogurt with live cultures helps boost the good bacteria in your hoo-ha, which, as you know, is all around fantastic for preventing annoying vaginal problems like yeast infections.”— Ashley Oerman, womenshealthmag.com
“Doing kegels is crucial for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, which are key in producing stronger, mind-blowing orgasms—not to mention bladder control. Note to self: Include kegels in every workout.”— Ashley Oerman, womenshealthmag.com
“Using condoms helps keep your vagina’s pH level at the status quo so good bacteria, like lactobacilli, can survive in there. And this is super important since those little bacteria help prevent yeast infections, UTIs, and bacterial vaginosis. Just in case you needed another reason to wrap things up.”— Ashley Oerman, womenshealthmag.com