How should I be cleaning my "small garden"?
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Created
13 February 2025
Updated
12 March 2025
Here's how Prof. Graziottin answers this question from her patients:
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The cleaning should be done daily, ideally after bowel voiding, using the hand from front to back. Prefer a gentle, soap-free cleanser able to protect selectively the intimate vulvar flora and protect indirectly the vaginal microbiota and microbiome.
In couples that are loyal to each other, and with appropriate personal hygiene, washing the genitals after sex is not recommended. It is recommended when the couple likes anal intercourse (that should always be done with a condom!) for two main reasons :
- To protect the spreading of the colonic bacteria into the perineal area and spreading them to the vulva, changing aggressively the vulvar microbiome
- and also to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
If you change partners often, use condoms consistently, from the beginning of the intercourse and in every type of intercourse. Because this is the safest defense line for keeping your secret garden clean and happy, i.e. to protect your vulvar and vaginal microbiota at your best.
In short, what I say is that to prevent the invasion of pathogens and germs is the first logical act of self-protection because you value. Opposite to that and beware this point, washing the genitals, the vulva, the vaginal, doing the vaginal douching after intercourse, beware, after unprotected sex, it is a dangerous illusion of self-protection. Why is that?
In too many cases, the damage is secretly done, particularly when the partner is a “healthy carrier”, What does this mean? It has no symptoms nor signs of infection and yet it has, for example, the papillomavirus inside the sperm and this will be transmitted to you. Washing means nothing. So, the first line to protect yourself consistently is to use condoms in every intercourse with every partner and in every type of intercourse. This will promote and protect yourself, your whole health and the vulva and vagina microbiome effectively and consistently. You value. Do it.
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