Hey there, fellow goddesses of girlhood! Today, let’s dive into a topic that might make some blush but is super important: vagina health. Yep, we’re talking about that magical, mysterious place down there that deserves all the love and attention it can get. You may have heard the term ‘BV’ or best known to put it bluntly as…. fishy fanny! (I am LOL’ing as I write this). But it’s true, and we have alllll been there and will keep going there 100 times over. Whether we are a teen or an adult. SOOOO many things can bring on BV, which is called in ‘scientific’ terms.. bacterial vaginosis.
So, let’s chat about the not-so-fun side of things when it comes to bacterial vaginosis. It’s can cause itchiness (but so can thrush!), unusual discharge, and an odur that’s about as welcome as a rainy day at the beach. But fear not, BV doesn’t have to rain on your parade forever! You can actually get tablets for it at the doctors, or some people (including myself) have used natural yoghurt with a tampon. Both do the trick! BV is normal, and it isn’t an STI like I have heard from some of the young girls I work with, nor is thrush.. although BV and thrush can be caused from sex, sperm can often knock our PH balances off (usually, if the person isn’t aligned to your PH balance.. red flag maybe?) LOL, but it really is just one of those things that as women, BV can just happen to us!
So, how do we try manage and keep our vagina health in tip-top shape? Well, first off, let’s talk hygiene. Your vagina is a self-cleaning wonderland, but it still needs care.. Opt for gentle, unscented soap IF you must wash down there with soap (I say this because, we are meant to actually only use water down there), but if I do use soap, I use simple unscented shower gel, and I rarely have problems! The minute I use annnnny scent.. BV instantly comes! However, I would advise just to use water and keep the soap for your armpits and butt. You can ALSO get BV from washing too much, our body self cleanses and if we wash too much, it can mess up our PH balance!
What is a PH balance?
Think of the vagina’s pH balance as a part of our body that is all about keeping things balanced and healthy down there! We as girls need to maintain our pH balance to keep the vaginal environment happy and prevent any unwelcome visitors, like infections. In scientific terms, that I don’t expect you to understand but it is good to know – a healthy pH level is slightly acidic, around 3.8 to 4.5, which helps keep everything in check. Things like periods, sex and good hygiene can affect this balance, so it’s essential to pay attention to what your body and when you notice any different discharges or smells.
The second thing to think about is this: your underwear. Cotton undies are like the superheroes of your knicker drawer – they breathe easy and keep things cool down below. It’s true, the material of the knickers that we wear can cause BV. You are best of sticking to cotton underwear gals.
And, let’s not forget about our monthly visitor – Aunt Flo also known as our period. When it’s that time of the month, change your tampon or pad regularly and hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not give menstrual cups a try? They’re eco-friendly *and* budget-friendly – what’s not to love? (I am stillll yet to try, if you have tried one, please do comment below) but again, don’t over change your sanitary products, but DO change them! And remember, naturally as girls and women – we have a period smell and an ‘end of period’ smell, that’s not BV.. that’s just period babe.
Remember, your vagina is like a VIP guest – treat it with the respect and care it deserves. Whether you’re jamming out at a concert, dancing at a party or binge-watching Netflix in your PJs, make sure to keep your vagina health healthy and prioritise it. Don’t be embarrassed to research, ask questions or drop me a message! I wish I had £1.00 for the amount of questions I have been asked about BV, I would be a millionaire.
Stay fabulous, stay fierce, and above all, stay fresh!
With love and good vibes,
Bronte xoxo
