Words by: Ash Dowling 
Art by: Luca Maclssac

There is no shortage of products on the market that claim to be the key to a happy and healthy cooch. The feminine hygiene industry (distinct from the menstrual product industry) has attracted a lot of success from capitalising on long-standing insecurities around natural female functions.

But it’s time to stand up to the industry and debunk some of the tools that are at best, unnecessary, and at worst, harmful to our sexual health.

First, it is important to distinguish between the vagina and the vulva, both of which are targeted by the feminine hygiene industry. The vagina is the internal tract of muscle that spans the cervix to the vaginal opening. The vulva is the external part of the tract and includes the inner and outer labia as well as the external part of the clitoris.

The vagina and vulva are different beasts and have different needs — though probably not nearly as many needs as the feminine hygiene industry wants you to think.

Douching

‘Douche’ is French for ‘shower’— but don’t be charmed by the pretty French word. Vaginal douching, which involves flushing the vagina with water or cleansers, often using a specially designed tool, can be quite ‘le désastre’. Douching can disrupt the usual balance of bacteria in the vagina, making it more susceptible to infections and increasing the risk of cervical cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. Douching is also associated with issues during pregnancy. Despite this, the practice was widely promoted in the past in publications and advertisements, and is now often handed down generationally from mothers to daughters. This is one feminine cycle that we need to stop.

Note that anal douching, which is the act of flushing out the rectum, can be safe if done properly. There are a few tools, but the safest is probably the fleet enema (choose the one with the normal saline in it). Make sure to follow the preparation instructions on the package for the right volume. Keep in mind anal douching is certainly not a necessity prior to anal sex; your rectum is designed to keep poop up high and away from the action, until it is time for a bowel movement.

Feminine wipes love wipes — I always bring them with me to wipe down grotty surfaces, my grotty face, my grotty hands, or for an elevated nose-blowing experience. Their moistened, scented, and anti-bacterial qualities set them apart from tissues.

But when it comes to wiping our genitals, old-fashioned toilet paper is the way to go. Feminine wipes contain various chemicals, some of which are associated with cancer, hormone disruption, or rashes. Other chemicals have hardly been studied enough to trust that they are safe.

If you feel like some moisture is needed, you could moisten toilet paper in the sink or bring a small spray water bottle with you when you go out. Or you can even use lube — regardless of whether you have coital plans to follow.

Powders

Powders have long been promoted as a way to protect against vaginal odours and absorb excess moisture. It is now quite well-known that using talcum-based powders increases the risk of cancer, so cornstarch typically replaces talcum in powder products. But is talc-free synonymous with risk-free?

Presently, there is no research to show that cornstarch-based powders are carcinogenic. However, it is established that inhaling cornstarch powder can irritate the lungs, representing a respiratory risk. Furthermore, powder is an allergen for some, causing irritation to the sensitive skin of the vulva. Regardless, the idea that powder is needed for intimate comfort and freshness is a myth, which was particularly pushed by Johnson & Johnson in the 1970s to expand the market for their Baby Powder.

Deodorants

As a pre-teen, was self-conscious about the prospect of emitting any unpleasant bodily smells, to the extent that I would apply deodorant to my knee pits as well as to my armpits. If had been exposed to any intimate deodorant advertising in my youth, I am sure I would have jumped onto that bandwagon.

But, now, I am aware that they can have physical side effects, including rashes and urinary tract infections, and am confident that they are not necessary (I’ve also stopped deodorising my knee pits, in case you were wondering).

It is normal for the vagina to have a musky scent. We shouldn’t feel the need to mask this; in the words of Jennifer Lincoln, an obstetrician and gynaecologist based in Portland, “vaginas are supposed to smell like vaginas”. If you are detecting a stronger odour, this might be a result of not changing your underwear frequently enough or wearing a panty liner. If the odour is smelling fishy — in the literal sense — this is a signal to seek medical help.

But if you do want to use a deodorant, be sure to use one that is unscented and solid. Only apply it to the outside part of the vulva, avoiding the inner lips or the vagina.

So, what should you be doing?

It’s been said that the vagina is a ‘self-cleaning oven’. The vagina naturally produces discharge which keeps it healthy, without you having to do any (conscious) work at all.

When it comes to the vulva a safe practice is to clean the skin with mild, non-fragranced, soap-free washes, to remove any sweat, menstrual blood etc. However, this should not be done more than once per day to avoid irritation.

Make sure to change your underwear at least once daily, but preferably twice especially if you are quite active. Always pee after having sex, and wipe from front to back. If you choose to remove some or all of your pubic hair, have a designated vulva-only razor and keep this stored in a dry place in between uses rather than in the shower where it could grow rust or mould.

My final recommendation: if you do have any concerns about the appearance, smell or feel of your vulva, you should go to your doctor before going down an internet rabbit hole. Because that is a hole that isn’t self-cleaning…

Note: This article aims to inform, and isn’t designed to provide medical advice. Consult your GP if you have concerns about you sexual health.