How To Practice Proper Genital Hygiene

Genital hygiene is a topic that’s often assumed and never discussed. A lot of people, both male and female, avoid talking about or sharing tips on genital hygiene maintenance. For instance, in India, menstruation and genital hygiene are taboo. However, genital hygiene is essential as it alleviates risks of infections that could result in infertility, and reduces the risks of getting sexually transmitted diseases. Proper hygiene also promotes good relationships between partners and prevents unpleasant smells.

Anyone should practice proper genital hygiene to eliminate disease-causing germs and bacteria. While bacteria are beneficial as they eat away dead skin, excess bacteria from poor genital hygiene can put you at risk of serious diseases. This post will discuss different ways men and women can ensure proper genital care. Read on to learn more.

Male Genital Hygiene

Men should practice proper hygiene for their genitals to reduce the chances of skin irritation and other common infections. This calls for men to learn how to clean their genital areas, including the penis, testicles, and anus. The following are ways to maintain clean male genitals:

• Regular Cleaning

Male genitals need to be washed daily. Gently wash your penis, testicles, pubic hair, and anus using clean water and gentle soap. If uncircumcised, carefully pull back the foreskin and clean underneath to avoid the formation of smegma under the foreskin, as well as the formation of papules—one can get more info about papules by researching online. However, avoid rubbing too hard to avoid damage to the penis.

• Penis Shake

After urinating, lightly shake the penis to expel the remaining drops of urine. Men should also use a dry cloth or a tissue to wipe the penis dry.

• Avoid Tight Underwear

Men should avoid tight underwear to avoid excessive sweating that can cause unpleasant odors. They should wear loose boxers and change these boxers daily.

• Wash The Hands

Men should wash their hands before touching the penis to pass urine. This is especially crucial after handling things that may irritate the penis, like heat rub, chemicals, or chili peppers.

Female Genital Hygiene

Women need to learn about vaginal hygiene to keep their reproductive tract healthy. Regardless of age, each woman should learn basic vaginal care on areas such as the pubic hair, vulva, and the anus. Poor vaginal hygiene can put any woman at risk of complications, like infertility, lowered sex drive, and difficulty reaching orgasms.

Different ways to practice vaginal hygiene include the following:

• Keep The Undergarments Dry

Failure to wipe the vagina after urinating doesn’t only bring unpleasant smells, but also increases the chances of vaginal infection. Also, always wipe the area after urination to keep the bottom garments dry.

• Wash The Vagina Daily

Frequently wash the vagina to keep it clean. However, avoid using scented or harsh soaps as they contain harmful chemicals, like antiseptics, glycerol, and perfumes that change the vagina’s pH, thus, affecting healthy bacteria in the vagina. Thus, it’s advisable to use plain soap and water to wash the vaginal area

• Change Sanitary Pads Frequently

During menstruation, it’s advisable to change the sanitary pads after every three to five hours, depending on the extent of the blood flow. It’s also advisable to wash the vaginal area every time you visit the washrooms during this period. Taking too long to change the sanitary pads may lead to skin rashes, development of unpleasant smells, and may put you at risk of infections.

• Clean The Vagina After Sex

Women should make it a habit to wash the vagina after engaging in sexual intercourse. This is because condom fluids and particles can cause rashes and irritation. Also, not washing the genitals after sex can increase the risk of infections, like urinary tract infections (UTIs).

• Practice Safe Sex

Safe sex is one way to maintain good vaginal hygiene. Unsafe or unprotected sex increases the risks of sexually transmitted infections, like HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, warts, and herpes. You should also avoid using lubricants that contain glycerin and other harmful chemicals as they can cause irritation or change the vaginal pH, which heightens the risk of infections

• Avoid Tight Clothes

It’s advisable to wear pants made from breathable materials, like cotton. Wearing tight clothes with inners made from synthetic fibers inhibits air circulation, leading to excess sweating. In turn, sweating leads to the growth of yeast and bacteria, which cause vaginal infection.

Conclusion

There you have it!  Those are some ways both men and women should practice proper genital hygiene. In addition, men and women should always keep their underpants clean and change clothes after heavy exercise to maintain good genital hygiene.