5 Everyday Habits That Can Destroy Your Vaginal Flora
The vagina is like your private garden. It consists of good bacteria that keep it healthy, fresh, and protected. However, just like an actual garden can be infested by weeds, the vagina can also be invaded by harmful organisms. This could be caused by some habits you think are harmless.
This causes the peaceful balance in the vagina to become chaotic and pave the way for infections. Also, when this balance is disturbed, you might notice discomfort and an unusual odor. Let’s uncover a few common daily habits that could be quietly harming your vaginal flora and what to do instead to keep it healthy.
1. Wearing tight underwear:
Wearing tight underwear can increase the risk of certain infections. The good bacteria that live there need a comfortable environment to stay balanced. When you wear tight underwear or panties made from synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester, they trap heat, sweat, and moisture. This creates a warm and damp environment, precisely what harmful bacteria and yeast thrive in to grow and cause havoc.
2. Use of scented soaps and feminine washes:
Vagina already has its own natural cleansing system. The beneficial bacteria residing there protect it by maintaining the acidic pH, which prevents harmful germs from growing. However, when you use scented soaps, sprays, or feminine washes inside your vagina, they contain perfumes and harsh chemicals. These chemicals can irritate the delicate skin inside the vagina and kill off the good bacteria that keep the balance. Once this balance is disturbed, harmful bacteria and yeast can overgrow, leading to yeast infections, itching, and irritation.
3. Overuse of antibiotics:
Antibiotics, as the name literally means, are “anti” any “biotic” or living thing in your vagina. Thus, this implies that antibiotics cannot differentiate between bad bacteria and good ones. So, when you overuse them, it wipes out a majority of your good bacteria, making your vagina lose its natural defense system. This creates an opportunity for yeast or harmful bacteria to grow excessively and cause different infections.
4. Douching:
Douching is a method of cleaning the vagina by injecting water into it. Your vagina is naturally independent and cleans itself. It already has a healthy balance of good bacteria that keep everything fresh and protected. When you wash inside your vagina with water, soap, or scented liquids, you wash away the good bacteria along with the bad.
5. Not changing pads frequently enough during periods:
Not changing pads frequently enough during periods can destroy your vaginal flora. During your period, blood collects on pads or tampons. If you leave them on for too long, it creates a warm and moist environment, the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The good bacteria that normally protect your vagina can’t thrive in that environment; thereby, harmful bacteria start multiplying rapidly. This imbalance can lead to infections and a bad odor.
How to Maintain the Balance of Your Vaginal Flora
- Practice good hygiene: Practice good hygiene by gently rinsing the outer genital area with warm water and avoiding internal washing or cleaning.
- Use high-quality vaginal probiotics: Use of vaginal-flora restoring supplements like NATURE’SFIELD ONCE DAILY VAGINAL CARE PROBIOTICS can help promote the stability of the vaginal environment and reduce the risk of developing yeast infections.
Your vaginal flora is delicate and can easily be disrupted by everyday habits unknown to you. These habits may seem harmless, but they strip away good bacteria that protect you from infections and discomfort. The good news is that with lifestyle changes like choosing breathable underwear, practicing gentle hygiene, and eating a balanced diet, you can maintain a healthy balance. Also, getting probiotic supplements like NATURE’SFIELD ONCE DAILY VAGINAL CARE PROBIOTICS can help restore and maintain the good bacteria your body needs for optimal vaginal health.
