Vaginal and vulval problems - dos and don'ts

What NOT to do

Do not use bubble bath or shower gel.
Do not put disinfectant in the bath.
Do not shampoo your hair in the bath or in the shower where the shampoo could run down and become trapped in the vulval skin folds.
Do not use ‘intimate’ deodorants or apply deodorant to sanitary towels.
Do not squirt soapy solution or antiseptic into your vagina to clean it (douching) – the vagina cleans itself very efficiently, so douching in this way is not necessary, and may be harmful.
Don’t wear tight, elasticated ‘support’ pants.

What you SHOULD do

Use a detergent labelled ‘for sensitive skin’ for washing your underwear, and avoid fabric softeners.
Add two handfuls of ordinary salt to your bath water, or bathe the area with salted water (a heaped tablespoon of table salt in a sinkful of warm water).
If you are so sore that passing urine is very painful, pee in the bath, or wash the urine away from the vulval area using a jug of warm water while you are on the toilet.
Use an unperfumed soap.
Wash your hair in the sink, or by leaning forward into the shower.
Wear cotton underwear.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Tuesday, February 9th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by piscesgirr on 25/07/2010 at 08:18:25 pm

Wow very informative website I am impress

Posted by 420babii on 13/07/2010 at 05:57:15 pm

I take a regular shower everyday and i shampoo in the shower.But i make sure i rinse my vagina very well.I do not douche.i do wash my vagina but not on the inside.i do take bubble baths though,i do not understnad how that could be a problem.Anyway.just treat your vagina like a delicate flower.play wiith her nicely.do not have sex with a bunch of guys..& everything should go better for you.lol.

Posted by Optional on 05/07/2010 at 02:08:14 pm

Why is it that i feel very itchy on my vulva when i become horny

Posted by Optional on 05/07/2010 at 06:09:58 am

i am 14 years old and for the past couple of days there has appeared alot more discharge then i normal ever have. Is this normal ? is there something wrong ?

Posted by Optional on 02/07/2010 at 03:04:46 am

Im 16 years old and I used to have thrush but went to the doctors and now its gone, however for some time now i have been having discharge, this discharge smells quite strongly and wearing skirts is a big no, no for me! I suspect that it may be Bacterial vaginosis but i am uncomfortable and nervous about going to the doctor. Any other ways i can possibly try to get rid of it, ive had it for about 10 months.

Posted by Dawn on 27/06/2010 at 07:29:34 am

Every time i have sex with my boyfriend until a day or 3 at most, my vagina is quite sore, like burning sensation. Last night though we didn't have sex because he had no condom but played with me. So now i have a slight discharge, and its a bit yellow. my cookie has a burning soreness. its not unbareble tho just a tad bit uncomfortable. Can it be thAt i don't get aroused enough that im too dry.. ? or what.,im scared i have some infection but its only uncomfortable the day after sex.

Posted by Anon on 24/06/2010 at 12:34:06 pm

Im only 13, and im so unhappy about the apperance of my vagina. My inner lips are huge and hand down it very uncomfortable and it makes it smell fishy. I also have this thick white discharge that makes me change my pants twice a day, whats wrong with me. I need help!

Posted by Optional on 22/06/2010 at 05:04:26 pm

I just had unprotected sex with my boyfriend about 2 days ago .. I dont know if this has anything to do with it.. however, a thin mucusy discharge continues to leak out of my vagina. It's not just a little bit, it's a pretty good amount and it happens almost every five minutes. What could be wrong?

Posted by beth on 17/06/2010 at 06:22:27 pm

I have had a like fishy smell for the past week now. I wash twice a day and it goes away for awhile and then comes back. I had bacterial vaginosis before and think it might be that again but the only problem is I don't have insurance or a doctor. Is their anything I can do that will help a little until I do find a doctor?

Posted by Embarrassed One on 16/06/2010 at 12:10:57 am

I have this white thick mucus drainage. Problem is I am sore down in that area. Sometimes I feel as though I have been kicked in the crotch.I also feel a bit swollen and sometimes my bladder is sore when I pee. Sometimes I'll feel this stabbing pain. What is this?

Posted by karen on 15/06/2010 at 03:28:15 pm

to the 13 year old girl who posted on the 30 4 2010 hello do not worry about the inside of your vagina being wrinkly this is normal in young girls of your age.this is because the inside of your vagina is still forming and growing ready for adulthood.how ever you are to young to have sex so do not have sex untill you are older.this will make sure you will not gross your boy friend out takecare....karen

Posted by Optional on 12/06/2010 at 03:55:14 pm

I've found eating yoghurt helps prevent "thrushy stuff" and apparently live natural yoghurt on the itchy area can help too although I've never tried it. I also find that I'm more likely to get thrush if I've been eating lots of wheat - marmite on toast is now a rare treat! Hope that helps.

Posted by Optional on 04/06/2010 at 02:22:17 am

whenever i have unprotected sex with my bf my vagina itches very badly. is it a symptom of STD?

Posted by Doid on 28/05/2010 at 01:50:17 pm

I Have A Huge Lump On My Penis. It Itches Extremely Bad And Is Leaking Out A White Fluid. Should I Go See A Doctor?

Posted by Emily on 24/05/2010 at 02:03:35 pm

I had unprotected sex with a guy and now my vagina starts to produce a very stinky brownish liquid and it really scares me i don't want to go to any doctor since this is really embarassing and i dont want my family to know what i did. There are no other symptoms thought can you tell me what might be going on

Posted by Optional on 21/05/2010 at 02:43:31 am

that was very helpful thanks x

Posted by Optional on 05/05/2010 at 02:09:38 pm

does natural yoghurt treat thrush or have any benefits?

Posted by :) on 30/04/2010 at 08:30:26 pm

My vagina is wrinkley when I open my legs. I'm only 13 this should happen to old women not me? I dont understand I'm soooo self conscious about it. Is it gonna fix as my hips get bigger? or what? What happens when i go to have sex? I dont want my boyfriend to get grossed out?

Posted by Optional on 15/04/2010 at 10:04:41 pm

after sex, my boyfriend usually has bloody mucus on his penis, its not blood, it looks like little clots, and it doesnt continue on later. Ive been having sharp abdominal pains and in the lower back, kind of irratates my bowels, makes me feel like i have to go, but i really dont. And ive bin having thick thick white discharge, no smell or itch or wierd color either. And just a couple days ago i had a bump under the skin, not visible on outside, but along the pubic hair line and the thigh, like the pelvic bone kinda.

Posted by Ms Sol on 03/04/2010 at 05:23:12 am

I have regular bouts of thrush, at least once a month, normally before ovulation. I have found i am sexually aroused and i produce some moisture at the start of intercourse but for about 6 months now i find i become dry after a while. I have looked at this site and came across the Ostrogen tablet. Could this help my condition? Ms Sol