Female genital hygiene

Is there a ‘right way’ to clean the genitals? The vagina?

Generally speaking, the female genitals include skin folds (outer and inner lips), the clitoral hood + the clitoris, and the openings to the urethra and the vagina.

A lot to clean, right? Not really.

The vagina is self cleaning (!) unless instructed by your healthcare provider to douche; the rest can be easily maintained following the tips below.

Note: it is common to find residue in the genitals: toilet paper dust/pieces, sloughed dry skin, leftover ointment/medications, etc. If left accumulated they may cause skin irritation. If you can, use a mirror and take a look at your genitals every 2-3 months to ensure good hygiene.

• Install a hand-held shower to better rinse off the area. If not possible, use a spray bottle.
• Never use hot water on the genitals so as to avoid over-drying and chafing irritations. You can take your shower as hot as you wish but turn the water to warm when rinsing the genitals.
• Best to use a neutral or hypoallergenic soup to avoid irritations caused by fragrances and/or other chemicals in the soap. However, feel free to use any soap you like when washing the rest of your body.
• No need to scrub the area. Apply a bit of (neutral/hypoallergenic) soap on your hand, lightly soap between the genital lips (not inside the vagina) and rinse. If using the soap makes the genitals burn, use warm water for a few days before trying again, and/or try another soap.
• Pat dry the area when you towel off and just leave it alone.
• If your genitals feel dry, you can apply a thin coat of Aquaphor to the area between the lips, but not inside the vagina. Aquaphor is an over-the-counter ointment that can be also used as a lip balm, a diaper ointment, and a barrier ointment to prevent chafing irritations between toes (during running), in the genitals (bike riding), etc.

Not much more is needed…. Use the same approach if taking a bath.

Vagina - endless?

Can anything get lost in the vagina??????

Does the vagina continue into my abdomen? Chest? Throat?

Interestingly, many women perceive the vagina as a long, continuous canal that starts at the genitals and continues into the body… Sort of like the digestive system, that spans from mouth to rectum (or vice versa).

This perception leads to worries such as noted above, easily believed with the vagina being an ‘invisible’ part of the body that cannot be self-tested.

The truth:

• The vagina is only about 10-12cm deep (4-4.5 inches)
• It is a dead-end tube
• A typical gynecologic exam will check the entire length of the vagina
• In the unlikely event that the tampon is ’stuck’ there, it can be easily retrieved
• Nothing can get lost ‘in there’

If you’ve just taken out a ruler to see how long 10-12cm are, you may wonder how does an erect penis fit inside being that it is longer than the quoted vaginal length…

Well, nature was created by a fine architect: the uterus, which sits at the deep end of the vagina, is like a trampoline, able to be nudged into the pelvis by the arriving penis, thus lengethening the vagina as needed.

Smart, isn’t it?

Exercising & aging

The more one tries to find excuses not to exercise, the more one is faced with growing evidence that the body strives on being active.

The newest research on the subject concludes that a regular exercise routine through middle age can delay biological aging by up to 12 years. Click here for the actual article.

Although most of you have years to go before entering ‘middle age,’ why not start young? The benefits may compound, sort of like an IRA account.

One way to start: team up with Mom and work out together — walk, jog, go to the gym, whatever gets your body and soul working toward a long time together.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Diet & stroke

A medical research was just released about the DASH-style diet, concluding that it lowers the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

Past research already concluded that the DASH-style diet lowers blood pressure.

• DASH = Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (pamphlet)
  
• Hypertension = an abnormally high blood pressure
  

The research was conducted over a 24-year span (1980-2004) and was based on 88,517 women who were between the ages of 34-59 at the start of the study.

This outcome should serve as a reminder that our bodies thrive on basic nutrients and that we can do quite a bit to enhance good health, especially if we start young.

Bon appetit!