How do I maintain optimal vaginal health?

Several simple inexpensive practices can help us maintain healthy moisture, freshness, and confidence, while avoiding symptoms of disease.

• Avoid vaginal contact with alkaline irritants like commercial soaps, bubble baths, shampoos, perfumed toilet papers, and feminine “hygiene” sprays.
• Do not douche, which dries and irritates, overwhelms natural bacteria, and spreads infection.
• Cleanse intimate areas daily with Nirena to maintain natural pH balance, suppress unfriendly bacteria, feel soft, and smell fresh.
• Use only fragrance-free laundry detergents and fabric softeners.
• Wear light cotton panties that allow genitals to breathe. Avoid underwear at night.
• Do not wear tight pants, panty hose, biking shorts, leotards, or wet bathing suits for long periods.
• Avoid hot tubs.
• Use condoms to help prevent infection. Avoid sex when infected.
• Ask about alternate birth control if latex condoms or diaphragms or spermicidal gels seem to irritate.