7 Ways to Ensure Your Lady Bits are Healthy (and the Ways to Treat Infections)

7 Ways to Ensure Your Lady Bits are Healthy and Treat Infections

Ladies, this one’s for you. Click here to learn 7 steps you can take to make sure you’re as healthy as can be… and what to do if there’s a problem down there.

As of 2017, there were 165.92 million women in America, making them a statistical majority. While not all women have vaginas, the majority of those who identify as women are cisgender. And as vagina-havers, it is imperative that you understand how to care for your “lady bits.”

In this article, we’ll go over some of the ways to keep yourself healthy and treat infections in your vagina. Read on for more information on how to care and keep one of the most important parts of yourself.

1. Get a Pap Smear on Schedule

Having a pap smear isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world. The doctor asking you to “scoot down” on the table, the light and speculum are all something most women would rather skip. But, it is important that in order to keep your vagina as healthy as possible, that you attend pap smear appointments as requested by your doctor.

A pap smear is an important time for your doctor to help monitor you against diseases like cancer, as well as to simply look at your vagina. A gynecologist performs hundreds (if not thousands) of pap smears each year and is well-versed in what a vagina is supposed to look like.

Your doctor can check for any abnormal cells, as well as look in your vagina to see if there is anything concerning about your anatomy. While you can usually tell if something’s up, a doctor will also be able to give a more detailed answer as to whether there is something “weird” going on.

At your pap smear, it is important to bring up anything you think may be of concern. This includes pain with sex or orgasm, itching or unusual discharge. The doctor can take further samples if needed and may ask you to come back at a later date for a more detailed examination.

2. Protect Yourself from STIs If You Have Multiple Sexual Partners or Enter Into a New Sexual Relationship

When you enter into a new sexual relationship, it is, no doubt, exciting and fun. But, one thing that isn’t as fun, but is incredibly important, is having frank conversations about STIs, or sexually transmitted infections.

While you don’t need to divulge your entire sexual history to your new partner, it is important that you both get tested for STIs before entering into a sexual relationship. You should also get tested periodically while in the relationship.

Unless you’re trying to conceive a child, it is important that you use protection such as a male or female condom in addition to any birth control. Birth control may help keep you from having an unwanted pregnancy, but it won’t protect you from STIs.

As such, condoms won’t protect from all STIs either, so it is important that you notify your doctor if you see anything that looks out of the ordinary.

3. Treat Infections as Soon as Possible

Most women will get at least a few vaginal infections in her lifetime. Some of these are sexually transmitted, whilst others can happen for a variety of reasons. Thrush (otherwise known as a yeast infection) is also very common and does not necessarily mean that it has anything to do with your sexual activity.

If you have any of the following symptoms, it is important to discuss it with your doctor: your vagina smells different to how it normally does, you have itching in or around your vagina, you have discharge that isn’t normal or smells different than usual.

Some women are prone to getting many yeast infections and may be able to treat with over-the-counter products. Others will want to bring it up with their doctor first.

While you can’t necessarily prevent all yeast infections, it is important that you don’t put soap in your vagina, do not bathe too often in bubble baths or with bath bombs, wear cotton underwear and do not wear wet bathing suits for longer than necessary.

4. Call Your Doctor If You Notice Your Vagina Isn’t Normal

While there is likely an easy explanation for most lumps and bumps on your vagina (such as acne or ingrown hairs), you should still see the doctor if there is something abnormal about your vagina.

Any time you experience new symptoms, such as discharge that smells different or looks different, lumps and bumps growing in or out of your vagina or pain during sex, you should consult your doctor.

Your doctor will be able to have a look at what exactly is bothering you, and will easily be able to either put your mind at rest or order further testing. It is important that you see your doctor at the first sign of something being “off” in your vagina. Swift action in the case that something is wrong means that you’re more likely to nip it in the bud if something serious has occurred.

Treating Your Vagina Right

While going to the doctor to have your vagina examined is never a pleasant experience, it is necessary to help ensure that you’re as healthy as possible. Your doctor should be your first port of call if you notice something is amiss, as they can help you treat infections quickly and accurately.

The most important tip for maintaining a happy and healthy vagina is not to guess at what’s wrong with you to avoid going to the doctor. Instead, make an appointment as soon as necessary to address anything that seems to be “not right.” You can even book a free consultation with Chicago Weight Loss and Wellness Clinic today.