How do I clean down there?

Question

I know this is embarrassing but I never got any talk about this. I’m 16 and just want to know how to keep my vagina clean so it doesn’t smell.  I shower every other day. I get a lot of discharge which I’m not sure if it’s normal and that’s the reason I stink down there? Also how am I supposed to get discharge out of my underwear? Please don’t be rude I just want to learn proper hygiene.

Answer

You don’t need special soaps and vitamins, I’m not sure why you’re being told this. “Women’s soaps” are bad for you and part of purity culture. Clean your vulva with water, gentle soap if you want (unscented, Dr. Bronner’s baby mild is perfect), clean the folds and make sure you’re not missing anything. Do not put soap or water inside your vagina. (Vulva is the outside, vagina is the canal- inside your body). 
Discharge is normal. We produce all sorts of cervical mucus and discharge because the vagina cleans itself, ovulation, arousal, etc. 
Wear cotton underwear, keep dry and change your underwear daily. During your period be sure to change your pads/tampons/cup regularly and wash up even if you don’t shower.

Answer

The best thing for your vagina is proper hydration and only washing outside. You can also wear a thin panty liner if you’re having a day with particularly a lot of discharge. It is normal to have discharge. That shows your vagina is cleaning itself. Discharge to look out for is any discharge with a strong, foul smell. Sometimes discharge will have a mild smell, especially after your period. But any discharge that is lumpy, foul smelling, more yellow in color than usual, talk to a doctor. Could be a sign of an infection. Cranberry juice can also help as well. Don’t feel embarrassed, though! Nothing wrong with asking questions about your body :)

Answer

It's okay if your girl has a smell to it, it's natural. If it smells fishy drink water that some pills ( I like the cranberry ones) pineapple or crabary juice is good for her too.

Answer

Discharge can be a sign of your vagina cleaning itself . But you can do soap on the outside and no water on the inside . That will throw off your ph balance and give you an infection . There’s also probiotics you can take , drink water , don’t drink too much caffeine or whole milk . Remember your diet can affect your ph as well .

Answer

Just water

Answer

I use summers eve lavender night time wash and it's the bomb

Answer

I had this problem when I was your age as I tended to be very “wet” down there. Here’s what I’ve found worlds for me;
1. Cranberry vitamins
2. Probiotic vitamin
3. I know some ppl will say not to use soap there but there is a brand called Summer’s Eve and it’s  specially formulated for there (find it in the feminine hygiene isle)
4. Clean the area diligently when you shower and shave or trim  there if you are okay with that ( helps keep it cleaner in my opinion)
Ps. The wetness if your body’s natural cleaning process and it’s totally normal

Answer

Discharge is normal, some pelvic get a lot some less. I recommend changing your underwear 2 x a day if you get a lot of discharge ( often it changes with your cycle), and I would shower once a day if possible. The vagina is self cleaning so no need for water or soap inside the hole. I use warm water in the shower and a bit of Dove sensitive in scented soap ( harsh soaps can throw off your ph). I gently wash the outside (vulva) and make sure to clean and “folds” (sorry if tmi lol). Then just rinse. If you don’t shower every day I recommend getting a damp wash cloth and still trying to give it a quick wash down there every day or before bed. Especially if you have a lot of discharge ( same). Usually it will wash out of underwear ( I recommend 100% cotton for most days) but eventually will discolor them. Sometimes after I take them out of the washer they can still appear “slimey”( tmi) so I run them under water and scrub it against itself before putting in the dryer. Hope this helped

Answer

Wash with a vagina-friendly soap (they will be labelled as safe) and change your underwear frequently if you want to, discharge is completely normal and some days you will get it more than others and that is normal too.

How do I clean down there?

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