In the past, the body of a woman was rarely discussed. Periods and sexuality were viewed as a taboo subject, leading many women to remain in the dark about their own bodies. Misconceptions like the saber-toothed vagina and periods that were so poisonous that they cause the flowers to wither, were believed to be fact, and that is why it was considered impure to even bring up the subject. Surprisingly, there are still misconceptions that derive from these beliefs and that correct feminine hygiene has affected .
5 main mistakes in feminine hygiene
While women today are generally more educated about the female body than women were in the past, there are still some very common practices stemming from longtime beliefs that women follow that can be detrimental to your health.
And while we’ve (thankfully) drifted away from the belief that the vagina has teeth, some of these modern misconceptions can actually have serious repercussions for women today.
1. Wear panty liners every day
While panty liners are designed to absorb vaginal discharge and staining, they should only be used at the beginning and end of your menstrual period. Panty liners create more of a moist environment, and if you wear them all the time you will have a higher risk of vaginal infections.
What to do instead: If you must wear panty liners, try to wear them less frequently (at the beginning and end of your cycle only) and change them frequently (every 4 hours).
2. Not changing tampons often enough
The instructions on a box of tampons usually tell you to change your tampon every 4-8 hours, even at night, but in reality, you need to change your tampon more often. Doctors strongly recommend changing it every 4 hours to eliminate the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
What to do instead: Select the absorbency of your tampons based on your own personal flow rate and change the tampon every 4 hours. Or, alternatively, use a menstrual cup to reduce waste and minimize bacteria.
3. Staying in a wet bathing suit
When you hang out at the pool, it can be easy to spend the whole day in a bathing suit. But wearing a wet bathing suit for too long can allow bacteria to grow, which can cause various infections.
What to do instead: Take off your wet swimsuit as soon as possible after swimming in the ocean or pool.
4. Wear underwear and lingerie made of synthetic fibers
When shopping for underwear, many women focus on appearance and fit before considering what it is actually made of. Synthetic fibers can be harmful to a woman because they can promote perspiration and irritation, which can be especially bad for women who are prone to yeast infections. Also the same garments that are too small, such as thongs that can get lost between the folds of the intimate parts, are factors that contribute to infections.
What to do instead: Buy underwear made from material that can breathe, such as cotton.
5. Using douches
Some women use a douche to clean their vagina. A douche is a device that flushes water into the vagina to remove vaginal secretions. However, a shower will not only clean out the “bad” bacteria, it will also remove the good ones, disrupting the normal vaginal foundation. The vagina is designed to stay clean with the help of natural secretions, also known as discharge or discharge.
What to do instead: Avoid using scented soaps when you wash, as this can eliminate the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in the vagina. Instead, opt for an unscented soap to wash your vagina every day, and wash more often during your menstrual cycle.
The female body is beautiful but very complex. As the topic of women’s bodies becomes more and more socially acceptable, it is easier to access reliable information that will help us be healthier.