Vaginal Health - Tips to Keep Your Vagina Healthy

Telehealth Terms of Service (Menopause & Weight Loss)

Privacy and Security Text and Email Communication Important Disclosures by State Cancellation & Refund Policy Partner Policies

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Amanda Olson, DPT, PRPC

The vagina, also known as the birth canal, connects with the uterus via the cervix. Not to be confused with the vulva which is the outer part of the female genitals and consists of the labia majora, labia minora, urethra, clitoris, and mons pubis.

Keeping the vagina healthy is a crucial part of every woman’s health and wellness. Not only does a healthy vagina keep bacterial infections at bay, but it also allows women to enjoy sex with more confidence, lower stress levels, and avoid fertility struggles.

Read on to understand the early signs of vaginal problems and some everyday tips to keep the vagina healthy.

Signs & Symptoms of Vaginal Problems

Firstly, it is important to understand that at the sign of any of the following symptoms, it is always best to consult with a medical professional:

A change in the color, odor, or amount of vaginal discharge
Vaginal redness, irritation, or itching
Bleeding or spotting between menstrual cycles, after sex, or after menopause
A mass or noticeable change in the appearance of the vulva (vulvar dermatitis for example)
Pain during intercourse

In the absence of any serious symptoms, these are some steps that all women can take to keep their vagina healthy and thriving.

Tips for Keeping Your Vagina Healthy

Avoid Douching

Although it might seem hygienic, vagina douching merely eliminates the good bacteria known as lactobacilli and disrupts the pH of the vagina. This, in turn, makes women more susceptible to vaginal infections. You can learn more about healthy bacteria and probiotics for vaginal health.

Vaginas are naturally designed to keep themselves clean and maintain a healthy pH balance. For cleanliness, a daily wash of the outer genital area with warm water and unscented soap or gel is sufficient to clean your vagina.

Wear Breathable Underwear

Underwear can have a substantial impact on vaginal health.

Loose-fitting, cotton underwear is highly recommended. Cotton underwear, especially organic cotton, has moisture-wicking properties to limit wetness that might otherwise enhance bacterial growth.

Limiting this bacterial growth greatly reduces the risk of vaginitis that causes itching, irritation, vaginal discharge, and foul odors. Types of vaginitis include bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomoniasis, and yeast infections.

Frequently changing wet swimsuits is also widely recommended by women’s health experts to maintain a healthy vagina.

Try This for Treating Vaginitis

Should one of the above types of vaginitis occur, natural supplements like Boric Acid Suppositories from Intimate Rose, work quickly to soothe irritation and rebalance the vaginal microflora.

However, for bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, it is best to use Boric Acid Supplements in conjunction with an antibiotic treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Current research also looks positive in confirming that Boric Acid Suppositories, when taken daily as a regular supplement, can prevent recurring vaginitis.

Be Sexually Responsible

One of the most important aspects of vaginal health is being sexually responsible.

If a monogamous relationship is not for you, practicing safe sex with new partners will help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

When using condoms, check the ingredients to avoid using any that contain spermicides, which can kill good bacteria in the vagina.

Peeing after sex helps to flush any harmful bacteria from the urethra and significantly aids in reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is also important to note that women should always wipe from back to front to avoid any feces from entering the urethra.

When using sex toys, make sure they are bought from reputable suppliers who use medical-grade materials and ensure they are thoroughly cleaned after each use.

Most importantly, always get tested for STIs after engaging in unprotected sex.

Pelvic Floor & Vaginal Muscle Relaxation

Pelvic floor muscles are postural muscles that support the vagina and pelvic organs, as well as prevent prolapse and urine or feces from leaking. Because these muscles work all day every day, they can sometimes become tense or tight.

Feeling stressed, previous trauma or sexual abuse can also cause the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles to tighten uncomfortably. As well as conditions like endometriosis, vaginismus, bladder infections, and interstitial cystitis.

Try This For Pelvic Floor Relaxation

Pelvic floor relaxation techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, and yoga can all help to relieve tightness in the pelvic and vaginal muscles. However, pelvic floor physical therapy (PT), a specialized form of physical therapy, is suggested for more acute pain or traumatic injuries.

Pelvic floor physiotherapists are also qualified to recommend medical devices for home use, like these Vaginal Dilators from Intimate Rose.

Hormonal Imbalance

At certain stages in a woman’s life cycle, hormones can become unbalanced. During menopause, for example, the ovaries begin to reduce the production of estrogen, causing a hormonal imbalance that can affect the vagina.

Low levels of estrogen can cause the vaginal walls to thin, making sex more painful for some women.

Try This to Rebalance Female Hormones

Once again, natural remedies can be used to help rebalance the hormones. Vitex, a Mediterranean herb that was used by ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans, is still widely used today to improve women’s reproductive health.

By helping to slow down excessive hormone secretion, as well as boosting the production of insufficient hormones, a regular vitex supplement like Vitex Chasteberry Supplement from Intimate Rose is known to significantly aid in maintaining healthy hormone levels and vaginal health.

What Else Can Affect Vaginal Health?

Certain medications can have side effects on vaginal health. Should you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms when taking medication, consult with your doctor about treatment. Additionally, some foods are better for vaginal pH and overall health than others.

Pregnancy and childbirth can also have implications on the vagina. Vaginal discharge can often change or increase during pregnancy. Vaginal tears are a regular occurrence during childbirth. And natural childbirth can also reduce the toning of the vaginal muscles.

These changes are easily treated and reversible.

Conclusion

Although keeping your vagina healthy is an ongoing process of daily care and attention, the steps are relatively easy to sustain.

However, it is important to note that not all vaginal conditions can be prevented or treated at home. And it is always best to speak with a doctor regarding any unusual symptoms or vaginal changes.

References

National Center for Biotechnology Information – Clinicians use of Intravaginal Boric Acid Maintenance Therapy for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Bacterial Vaginosis -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6878170/

Epidemiology – Condom Use and its Association With Bacterial Vaginosis and Associated Vaginal Microflora - https://journals.lww.com/epidem/Fulltext/2007/11000/Condom_Use_and_its_Association_With_Bacterial.9.aspx

National Center for Biotechnology Information - Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6887765/

National Center for Biotechnology Information - Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559246/

Privacy and Security

I understand and agree that I give permission to providers to use and disclose my protected health information including my entire medical record. This protected health information is being used or disclosed for the purpose of telehealth treatment. This authorization expires when you contact rx@intimaterose.com.

If the person or entity receiving this information is not a health care provider or health plan covered by HIPAA, the information described above may be redisclosed to other individuals or institutions and therefore no longer protected by HIPAA.
I may refuse to agree to this authorization. My refusal to sign will not affect my payment, ability to obtain treatment, or eligibility for health plan benefits unless this authorization is requested prior to research related to treatment, enrollment in a health plan, or providing health care that is solely for the purpose of giving that information to a third party, such as to a court for a legal proceeding.
I may inspect or copy the protected health information to be used or disclosed under this authorization. For protected health information created as part of a clinical trial, your right to access is suspended until the clinical trial is completed.
I may revoke this authorization in writing at any time by sending a written notification to Privacy Officer at 1419 Murray St. North Kansas City 64116. Your notice of revocation will not apply to actions taken by providers prior to the date of receipt of the notice.

Your privacy is important to us. By using our telehealth service, you consent to the use and sharing of your health information for treatment purposes in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Communications via text or email (if enabled) are not considered secure, and you accept the risk of receiving non-sensitive information through those channels.

Text and Email Communication

By submitting the form you give permission for Intimate Rose to contact you via SMS/text or email about:

Appointment reminders
General health information

You can request to stop them at any time.

Important Disclosures by State

If you're located in the following states, you should be aware of the following laws and rights related to telehealth:

Alaska, Connecticut, Ohio, New Hampshire, South Carolina: Your primary care provider may request and receive a copy of your telehealth treatment record with your consent.
California: You can learn more about the Physician Payments Sunshine Act at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.
Kansas: Providers must send a report to your primary care doctor within 3 days of your consent.
New Jersey: You have the right to request a copy of your medical information, and it may be forwarded to your doctor.
Texas: With your consent, your medical records may be sent to your primary care provider within 72 hours.

If you have any questions before continuing, please contact our support team or speak with your provider directly. We're here to help you feel confident and supported in your care journey.

By continuing, you confirm that you understand the above and voluntarily consent to receive telehealth services through Intimate Rose.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

We aim to make things simple and transparent. Because medical care and pharmacy resources are committed as soon as you begin, cancellations and refunds work as follows:

Cancellations

You may cancel your subscription at any time.
Cancellations stop future charges, but payments already processed cannot be refunded.
To avoid the next billing, cancellations must be received at least 72 hours before your renewal date.

Refunds

Refunds are only offered in limited cases:

Medical Disqualification – If our licensed provider determines you are not medically eligible for treatment.
Billing Error – If a duplicate or incorrect charge occurs.
Pharmacy/Shipping Delay – If your medication hasn’t shipped within 21 days of provider approval.
Damaged Medication – If medication arrives damaged or overheated as defined by our medical team, we’ll send a replacement at no cost (refunds are not available in this case).

Refunds are not available once your intake form is submitted (unless medically disqualified), after medication has shipped, or once a subscription renewal has been processed.