17 Simple Rules to Live By  If You Want to Reduce Vaginal Itchiness and Odor

Of recent, cases of vaginal itchiness in women have risen. According to experts, diet changes, prolonged high temperatures, and lifestyle issues may be the leading causes.

Whereas each contributing factor needs to be examined individually, there are collective practices that, once you embrace, can prevent the occurrence or reduce the severity of vaginal itchiness. These practices include;

1. Sitz baths after menstruation

Often, women tend to do sitz baths after delivery for faster vaginal healing. While it is okay, you may want to transfer the same benefits your genitals enjoy even without undergoing vaginal delivery.

A sitz bath can reduce inflammation, improve hygiene and promote blood flow to your genital area.

Typical sitz bath uses include:

• Keeping the anus clean.
• Reducing inflammation and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids.
• Healing perineal and vaginal lacerations after vaginal childbirth.

You can add a little sea salt to your baths for therapeutic and healing purposes. Sea salt is effective when it comes to soothing itchy and irritated skin.

Sit in a bathtub filled with water enough to cover your buttocks for at least 10-20mins. Repeat the process two times a day for at least three consecutive days. You don’t need to do this monthly, but once in a while can be super helpful.

Related: 11 Effective Ways to Take Care of Your Vagina After Birth

2. Practice good vulva hygiene

Naturally, Vagina consists of mucous-like substances responsible for keeping it clean. This mucous cleans the semen after sex, the menstrual blood, and other discharges.

However, it remains your responsibility to take care of your vulva and perineal areas.

• Wash your vulva and perianal area atleast once a day.
• Consider washing more than once a day to keep the perianal area clean during your period.
• Use cold or lukewarm water instead of hot water to clean your vulva. You want to avoid burning the delicate genital skins. Also, hot water can dry out the moisture from this surface, leading to dryness and itchiness.
• Always ensure that you use plain and non-perfumed soaps when washing to avoid chemical irritations.
• Additionally, Use a different piece of cloth to wash your vulva. This ensures that you do not transfer specks of dirt from other parts of your body, like legs, to that sensitive area.

3. Stop vaginal douching

Douching entails thoroughly washing your Vagina with water or other fluid mixtures like vinegar and baking soda.

According to research, one in every five women in the United States practices douching. And even though women do these for various reasons, most doctors do not recommend it.

This is because your reproductive system is designed to clean itself. Your Vagina consists of harmful and good bacteria that collaborate to create the desired acidic environment. This acidic environment is what hinders bacteria from surviving and harming your Vagina.

Douching can strip your Vagina of natural, healthy microbes. It can as well as temporarily change the natural acidity and cause the buildup of harmful bacteria. This leaves your Vagina susceptible to vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

4. Limit the use of scented wipes and vaginal deodorants

While the use of vaginal deodorant and scented wipes remain common among women, doctors warn that it could be harmful.

According to Dr. Lucy, women use deodorants to curb the odor from the Vagina, which shouldn’t be the case. This is because it’s normal for the Vagina to have some odor, and washing the vulva with plain water is enough.

These perfumed products can disrupt Vagina’s healthy natural balance. Dr. Lucy states that it’s natural for your Miss V. to have some odor that changes with different times of the reproductive cycle.

You should, thus, avoid applying scented products on your Yoni if you want to reduce or eliminate itchiness.

5. Get more vitamin C for strong immunity.

Vaginal itchiness is a sign that your normal working balance has been invaded. As such, you need to tighten up your defense system, and that is where vitamin c comes in handy.

Vitamin C enhances our immunity. This helps our body system bring itself back into balance whenever it’s disrupted. According to Dr. Maghanga, vitamin c, best known as ascorbic acid, consists of antimicrobial components. These antimicrobials can fight off bacteria known to cause vaginal infections.

A recent study suggests that vitamin c can inhibit the growth of BV bacteria. Accordingly, it significantly reduced fishy odor and the number of harmful bacteria.

Try increasing your vitamin C intake to boost your body’s ability to fight yeast infection and prevent UTIs. This two are among the leading cause of vaginal itchiness.

6.Take leafy greens to decrease vaginal dryness

Darky leafy greens are full of vitamins and blood purifying effects. They are rich in vitamin B and E, essential for maintaining healthy mucous tissue and increasing secretions.

Nutritionists advocate consuming foods high in these two vitamins, like leafy greens. And you may consume them in everyday meals or as dietary supplements.

Eat leafy greens lots of fruits like oranges and avocados. This diet is rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, beneficial for strengthening vaginal muscles and regeneration of the yoni membrane.

7. Make garlic and ginger your all-time concussion

Normalize consuming garlic and ginger in your diet. These two consist of anti-fungal properties that can detox your body, keep blood sugar at bay and help fight urinal tract infections.

One study suggests that a vaginal cream of garlic and thyme could cure yeast infections.

To prepare the combo, grind garlic and ginger to make a paste. Soak them in a glass of warm water overnight and drink your concussion in the morning. Doing this often, like three times a week, helps balance your vaginal Ph., reducing the possibility of itchiness.

8.Take okra and slippery elm water for vaginal moisturization

Vaginal itchiness may occur due to dryness in your vulva walls. Foods that contain mucilage, such as okra and elm, are great for vaginal wall lubrication. They contain nutrients such as vitamin B6, calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous to help enhance your libido.

To prepare, chop okra into small pieces, soak in a glass of warm water overnight, enjoy your drink in the morning. You may also choose to blend it with your favorite fruits and vegetables for a healthy yoni-loving smoothie.

Consuming okra regularly will assist in getting rid of white vaginal discharge called, Leucorrhea. This discharge results from unhealthy eating and living habits.

Like okra, Slippery elm contains an abundance of mucilage. Hence consuming it regularly will significantly aid in vaginal lubrication.

9. Work on your stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety can have a drastic effect on hormonal balance. If you experience prolonged stress, the blood flow slows down. Consequently, this can slow blood flow to your Vagina, affecting your sex drive. This insufficient blood flow to the private area can worsen vaginal dryness and itchiness.

Try de-stressing after a stressful day. You can do this by practicing relaxation light exercises like taking evening walks. Practicing yoga and having enough sleep is also an excellent therapy for de-stressing.

10. Practice safer sex

Another cause of vaginal itchiness can be STD or infections, which may occur due to having unsafe sex with multiple partners.

If you’re unsure about your partner’s safety, try using a condom every time you’re intimate. Also, avoid having sex with many partners. This increases the possibility of contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases like genital herpes and syphilis.

11.Drinking lots of water

Do you know that a woman’s cervical mucus consists of 90% water? Just like your general body, your Vagina also needs water for moisturization.

Ensuring that you remain hydrated throughout the day increases the moisture level in your Yori, leaving it wet and moist. This helps prevent vaginal itchiness that occurs due to vaginal wall dryness.

Drinking up to 8 – 10 glasses of water per day is essential for a well-lubricated yori. The easiest way to meet your daily water goals is by walking around with a water bottle and ensuring that you sip whenever you remember.

12. Invest in Cotton underwear

Most vaginal infections and itchiness come from imbalances between good and harmful bacteria. Wearing synthetic underwear can create an environment conducive to the growth of harmful bacteria due to their inability to absorb moisture.

Cotton underwear is an excellent remedy for an itchy Vagina since they are breathable. They absorb excess moisture and allow for free air movement, thus maintaining desirable temperatures in your Yori.

Additionally, ensure that you wash your underwear after each wear. You can use multiple detergents or any gentle soap-free from harsh chemicals. It’s also a good practice to soak your underwear in warm water, baking soda, or white vinegar for like an hour to kill germs and eliminate odors.

After washing:

• Rinse with cold water.
• Dry them in an open place for aeration.
• Remember never to put on any damp underwear as it can escalate your itching.

Also, change your pants after you’ve had an infection to help reduce the possibility of recurring. Normalize sleeping naked to allow your miss V to breathe all night long without the interference of pants.

13. Think of trimming instead of bald shaving

Pubic hair serves a similar function to eyelashes or nose hair. They trap dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms, preventing them from getting into your Vagina.

Consequently, it contains follicles that produce sebum oil. This oil limits bacteria and pathogens from reproducing. Besides, it also serves as temperature regulation by trapping sweat and coaling the Yori’s surroundings.

Shaving your Vagina bald, though fashionable, can be harmful. It exposes your genitals to infections such as cellulitis and vaginitis.

Also, bald shaving often creates the aftermath of itchiness, especially when the hair begins to grow. It can even worsen when shaving leads to ingrown hair that becomes blackheads and other skin problems.

Therefore, it would be best to consider trimming instead of bald shaving to avoid unnecessary itchiness.

14.Use water-soluble Lubricates

If you experience recurring vaginal infections like yeast, using water-soluble lubes instead of silicone-based or oil-based lubricants would be better.

Water-based lubricants that are glycerin-free can help reduce discomfort during sex. It also lowers the chances of vaginal irritation by acting as natural lube.

Try applying water-based vaginal moisturizers every three days. This will reduce vaginal dryness, and their effect may last longer than you can imagine.

15. Always wipe from front to back

Whether peeing or you’re on a long call, always wipe from front to back. This is a matter your guardian teaches you from a young age, but if you didn’t know, I’m glad that you now know.

Wiping from the front prevents the transfer of germs from the anus to the vulva. Ensure that you wipe clean even if it means using water to lower the risk of anal infections and vaginal itching.

16.Normalize urinating after having sex to avoid developing a UTI

The sooner you normalize peeing after sex, the better. It’s alleged that peeing within 30 minutes after sex helps lower the risk of contracting Urinal Tract Infections (UTI) in women.

The path from your urethra to your bladder is short compared to men. Because of this distance, bacteria can easily travel from your Vagina to your bladder. Urinating soon enough can act as a preventive measure for bacteria not to travel deeper and cause a UTI.

17. Reducing sugar intake

Too much sugar can increase the risk of developing a vaginal infection. This happens because excessive sugars act as food for yeast and bad bacteria.

It also creates a conducive environment for harmful bacteria to thrive and reproduce, not to mention the increased risk of spiking your blood sugar and impairing your immunity.

You should thus try to limit the use of processed foods high in sugar, especially when you have vaginal irritation.

Related: 16 Simple Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps(That Actually Works)

Related: These 12 Anti-Inflammatory Herbs Will Make Your Menstrual Cramps Go Away

Takeaway

Itchy Vagina can occur due to many factors. It may be an underlying medical condition, hormonal imbalances or your on unhygienic practices. Even though some home remedies have proved effective in the past, what works for others may not be ideal for you. You should thus seek help from a professional health practitioner if the itching is persistent and severe even after applying some of these best practices. Also be on the lookout for severe symptoms like pain during intercourse, when urinating and smelly discharges.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. 
I’m not a health practitioner and as such, this information should not be used as a substitute for consultation with your professional service provider.

UP NEXT: 8 Best Home Remedies for Vaginal Itchiness

References 2

References 1

Reference 3

Share this post with your friends!

Tweet