Vaginal Hygiene: Easy Tips To Stay Healthy and Fit Parul Singh

In our country, sex, and anything in its vicinity, is considered taboo, making women’s sexual health a topic of unspeakable shame. Women often find themselves tongue-tied when needing to discuss issues related with their vagina, even with their gynaecologists, which puts their health at serious risk.

The vulva, which includes the opening of the vagina, is one of the most sensitive areas of a woman’s body and needs utmost care and attention. It needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain its optimal pH level. While this can’t be news to you, one can sometimes forget the essentials. We are here to take you through some of the most basic rules to keep your vaginal hygiene in check.

 

Fresh undergarments everyday

With a busy schedule in these competitive times, sweating is inescapable. This enables the accumulation of bacteria around the vagina that causes itching, irritation, rashes, and a million other infections. Therefore, it is important that one changes into a fresh pair of underwear each day. Also, wash them regularly with mild soap. Avoid using heavy detergents because they are harsh on the skin and can lead to further irritation.

While on the topic, it is also worthy to note that cotton underwear is your best option, always. They are soft, they absorb moisture, and the fabric lets your skin breathe. Cotton also reduces friction which makes them a great fit for daily wear.

Learn the right way to clean it

Vaginas are self-sufficient in maintaining the right pH balance which is why doctors across the globe recommend cleaning them with only lukewarm water. Avoid using soaps or gel-based cleansers on your vagina. Stay clear of douching because it tampers with the pH balance which in turn invites a host of bacteria. Be careful while shaving or waxing the pubic hair. Shaving and waxing around the vagina can cause unnatural friction, injuries, and bacterial infections.

Safe sex is the way to go

Unprotected sex makes you vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and herpes that can severely harm your sexual health and make you prone to more infections.

Always use a condom and make sure you are aware of the material used. Latex and spermicides can cause allergic reactions, so choose the right kind of protection. Stay clear of harmful lubricants and always wash your vulva thoroughly after intercourse.

Go for regular screening

Never miss your appointments with the gynaecologist, and always sign yourself up for regular cervical screenings. Most cases for cervical cancer get cured because of early detection. If you’ve recently become sexually active, then it becomes all the more important for you to get yourself screened on a regular basis.

For women who are nearing menopause, it is important to get yourself tested more frequently to ensure you enter the phase smoothly. It is not uncommon for women to develop vaginal and uterus complications as they age, so it is always a good idea to keep your doctor in the loop of everything associated with your vaginal health.

Don’t use scented products on your vagina

Every vagina smells different; it is a unique indication of a woman’s body and health. Using scented products, wipes, and soaps can irritate the skin and make you uncomfortable as the chemicals in these products are harsh for the skin and can tip the pH balance. Besides, if you feel that the smell of your vagina is different than usual, it’s possible that you’ve contracted an infection that needs medical attention.

Menstrual health is important

Change your pads or tampons every 4-6 hours irrespective of the flow. Some of us tend to not change the pad or tampon during days of lighter flow. Using these products for long durations makes your vagina the breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to severe rashes and burns.

We recommend using a good menstrual cup, which is not only a healthier option for your vagina, but also great for the environment. The trick is to choose the right size and follow the instructions to insert it properly. Also, make sure you empty it every 8 hours.

Stay fit and eat healthy

Last but definitely not the least, maintain your vaginal health by eating your greens, exercising regularly, and staying hydrated. Yogurt is a great way to avoid yeast infections and spinach helps in promoting the growth of good bacteria. Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles that leads to better bowel function which in turn helps to keep your vagina clean and healthy.

At the end of the day, it is all about being mindful of safe practices and turning them into habits. Good vaginal health is essential for good mental health, too.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Aggressive breast cancers more likely to hit black and younger women

Younger women face elevated risks of developing breast cancers that are not only aggressive but also less responsive to treatment, a new study confirms. 

Researchers found that non-Hispanic black women were more than twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with so-called triple-negative breast cancers, while women under 40 were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with the aggressive cancer as those aged 50 to 64, according to the study. 

In their analysis of more than one million cases of breast cancer between 2010 and 2014, the researchers also found that triple-negative cancers occurred more rarely than had previously been reported. 

The researchers did not respond to requests for comment but did supply a press statement. “We hope that this update on the epidemiology of triple-negative breast cancer can provide a basis to further explore contributing factors in future research,”  a researcher said in the statement. 

Noting that few previous studies had looked beyond the scope of a single state, researchers turned to the U.S. Cancer Statistics database, a population-based surveillance system of cancer registries with data that represents 99% of the U.S. population. The researchers identified 1.15 million cases of breast cancer between 2010 and 2014 in women from 39 states, including 96,749 cases (8.4%) of triple-negative cancer. 

Analyzing the data, the team found that non-Hispanic black women were 2.27 times more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women. Women under 40 were 1.95 times more likely than women aged 50 to 64 to be diagnosed with the aggressive cancer. 

The researchers also found that when women were diagnosed with a late stage cancer, it was more likely to be triple-negative.

The study confirms what cancer specialists have been seeing, said  a medical oncologist. Some of the increased risk in younger women can be tied to the BRCA1 gene, the Dr. said. “Besides BRCA1, we don’t have a clear cause for it in these women,” he added. 

Dr. was struck by the size of the study. “This is one of the larger, if not the largest, so far,” said a professor of medicine.

Another striking thing is triple-negative breast cancer was thought to be 15% of the total but this study found it was 8.4%.

That change could be due to a tightening of the definition of triple-negative breast cancer, the Dr. said. 

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, triple-negative breast cancer cells do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or large amounts of a protein called HER2/.

While this study and earlier ones showed that triple-negative breast cancer is more common in women under 40, “I hear all the time from younger women that they were initially told by a doctor that they were too young to have breast cancer, said a Dr. “Most of them were symptomatic. They had lumps or discharge. A lot of times I see women who had lumps for 18 months before I saw them.” 

Since younger women aren’t screened regularly, the Dr. advises them to “be vigilant. Know your breasts and what is normal. Make sure you have a relationship with a provider who trusts you and who will work with you.” 

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about triple-negative breast cancer, the Dr. said. “The message on the internet is that this disease is like death sentence,” he said. “It has a higher mortality rate than other breast cancers, but 65% to 70% of people go on to be cured with conventional therapy.”

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