Vaginal health FAQs

1. Should you wear underwear when working out?

This one comes down to personal choice. Lots of women won’t have even thought this would be an issue! But some of you may have a more sensitive intimate area and be more prone to infections such as thrush and may have to think about this one! Whilst those tight lycra leggings look great, they also create the perfect dark and moist conditions for bacteria and yeasts to thrive. If you suffer with infections such as thrush or are more sensitive to irritation, then it might be worth wearing cotton underwear underneath to help airflow stop the lycra rubbing. If you prefer to go commando under your activewear and haven’t had any problems then this is also completely safe.

Remember to change out of sweaty gym kit after your session rather than sitting in it for too long. When cleansing after exercise, you don’t need to go overboard, using a pH balanced wash such as the femfresh Active Wash will help restore the pH of the vaginal microbiome that may have been disrupted from sweat.

2. Should you wear underwear to bed?

Again, this comes down to personal preference! If you prefer to wear underwear in bed then try and choose breathable cotton underwear to allow airflow and avoid sweating and keep that lacy (and uncomfortable) lingerie for your pre-bed activities! For those women who unfortunately suffer with recurrent irritation such as chronic vulvitis or vaginitis, or recurrent thrush infections then sleeping without underwear might help reduce frequency of symptoms.

3. Is it more hygienic to shave pubic hair?

Shaving or trimming pubic hair is now very common – with as many as 84% of women in somesurveys reporting doing so. But whether you groom your pubic hair or go au natural, its important you are doing it for the right reasons! In a survey of 3,316 women in the US, 59% said they shaved it off for hygiene reasons, but this is actually a myth. Pubic hair is actually designed to add a barrier to the vagina to prevent against friction and infection, and in fact, shaving can cause problems such as folliculitis and ingrown hairs. So, if you like to shave it off or let it grow, know it is for cosmetic, rather than hygiene reasons.

4. Why are we taught to wipe from front to back?

We are taught to wipe from front to back from a young age… but do you really know the reason behind this this? The vaginal and vulval skin contains a unique and carefully balanced population of bacteria, yeasts and viruses called the microbiome. This microbiome can easily be disrupted so wiping from front to back is to avoid contamination from bacteria from the bowel and back passage such as E.Coli species infecting the vagina and disrupting the microbiome, which can lead to infections such as BV and thrush.

5. How can I keep my vagina healthy?

If you are not experiencing any symptoms (such as irritation/redness, pain, change in vaginal discharge or suffering from recurrent infections) and are up to date with health checks, then it’s likely that your vaginal health is all in order! Cleansing with a pH balanced wash such as the femfresh Active Wash, keeping up to date with smear tests and STI checks and eating a nutritious diet to support the microbiome, are all ways to keep your vagina healthy! Remember if you do experience any new symptoms to consult your own doctor.