What Are Feminine Washes?

The vagina is essentially self-cleaning.

Is It Safe to Use Feminine Washes?

A bottle of blue shower gel surrounded by small white flowers on a pale blue background.

Anatoliy Sadovskiy/Getty

This can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even allergic reactions.

This is incorrect and can lead to internalized body shame.

We need to be conscious of how we can normalize this.

A vulva does not need to smell like a bouquet of roses.

Irritation and Other Side Effects

Feminine washes can cause side effects like allergic reactions or infections.

I do not recommend vaginal washes as soap and water will work just as wellor betterexternally, Swarup said.

What If You Already Use Feminine Wash?

Look for a product that contains no chemicals, no perfumes/fragrances, no essential oils, and is unscented.

What Should You Use to Clean Your Vulva?

In terms of how often you gotta cleanse the area, daily washing with water is fine.

Less is more when it comes to your vaginal/vulvar area, Katz said.

There is no need for expensive products.

Instead, experts say that using water and your hands is the safest way to clean the area.

Ohio State University.The care and keeping of your vagina.

Sabo MC, Balkus JE, Richardson BA, et al.Association between vaginal washing and vaginal bacterial concentrations.PLoS One.

2019;14(1):e0210825.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210825

Department of Health and Human Services Office on Womens Health.Douching.