How to Take Care of Your Vulva (Summer Edition)

With so many activities going on in the summer and with many hours spent in the water and under the sun, sometimes we overlook how can this affect our vulva. So, keep reading to learn more about how to take care of your vulva especially during these sweaty, and sunny days. Let’s get into it!

1 - Wear cotton underwear to avoid moisture buildup

Cotton is a highly absorbent fabric which is great for absorbing the sweat from the skin during sunny days. Cotton fabrics are also breathable, so your vulva can get a bit of air, so it doesn't sweat much.

2 - If you shave or wax your vulva, leave some pubic hair

The hairs serve as protection for your vagina. Removing all your pubic hair makes you more susceptible to infections that may enter your skin through cuts or areas of irritated skin. We recommend waiting 24 - 48 hours after hair removal to work out or wear tight-fitting clothes. This gives your skin enough time to heal from any shaving-related irritation.

3 - Change your tampon and swimsuit when you get out of the water to avoid the increase of harmful bacteria

 Do not allow your period to stop you from enjoying a dip in the pool or in the ocean. Because tampons are absorbent, they will naturally soak up a certain amount of pool water. You can wear your tampon while you swim, but you should enter the pool with a fresh tampon. And don't forget to change it once you have finished swimming. Most importantly, please don’t hang out in wet or damp clothes! This is probably the most common mistake we make.

4 - Avoid re-wearing unwashed swimsuits

Your bikini comes into contact with bacteria from your vagina in the first use. If you don’t wash it, then more bacteria accumulate the next time you put it on. This increases your risk of infection. We recommend washing with an unscented laundry detergent and hot water. So the skin is free of fragrances that may irritate it and reduces any possible microbes in your panties.

5 - Avoid wearing tight clothes

Tight clothing will make your vulva sweat even more and can cause problems with skin irritation, especially in sensitive areas, such as around your bikini line. Irritation can also come from lack of breathability. This also prevents air flow making moisture more prevalent in your private areas, and as you can imagine - it contributes to infections.

6 - Try sleeping without underwear to let the area breathe

Using the same underwear for a long period of time can create the perfect warm, moist environment that will attract bacteria and yeast.

Always remember that if you notice any change - bad smell, irritation, abnormal vaginal discharge – please go to a specialist and get a doctor-approved treatment.