If I've used an oil on my vulva, do I need to use a cleanser to wash it off? If so, how often? I use an oil lube, and I've also started dabbing on coconut oil because of sensations of dryness fairly regularly. I just use water to wash in my daily shower, and I also have a bidet, but should I be concerned about some kind of buildup of oil? Everything has been feeling good and my last gyno exam was all good, but I know that sometimes these things can be doing harm and not get caught until it's built up for a while!
I get youtube ads for "feminine cleansing" products that "stop odor" and "leave you fresh smelling" sometimes. Ive taken to going to the companies youtube channel and leaving comments on said videos like "because god forbid your vagina smells like a vagina." "Vaginas shouldnt smell like flowers, they should smell like vaginas" "these products cause irritation and actual bad odor" and other such. I highly recommend everyone do so.
I remember researching print ads in magazines at one point. They honest-to-God recommended Lysol for women’s intimate cleaning. Thank you for your good work to end feminine genital shaming.
Thanks Dr. Jen, you are awesome for debunking! i feel silly asking about yet another vaginal treatment but somehow there seems to be some science lit or maybe just vagina myths floating around about hydrogen peroxide, specifically for treating or complementary to antibiotic treating BV cause by various bacteria (thank goodness testing has become more specific!) The only mention of hydrogen peroxide I can find in you archive acknowledges that hydrogen peroxide can be a byproduct of the good bacteria and cause panty bleaching. Please illuminate us!
This column made me realize that the pandemic and various supply chain issues had caused me to purchase soap other than the Dove I had been buying. That this is probably why I have bouts of itchiness on the vulva and not the scary possibilities that googling indicated. I do have a question, though. Do you have a recommendation to help control the itching?
Of all the crazy stuff women are doing to their bodies, have you ever heard of a Psilocybin Vaginal Steam treatment? A friend is headed that direction and I'm trying to convince her otherwise. Am I correct that's a hard NO from you? Thanks - love all your info.
Can you speak to the Good Clean Love products? The homeopathic lactobacilli suppositories were suggested to me by a gyn specialist to try in conjunction with other therapies for DIV. I’m nervous to try them as I fear further irritation.
Love reading your work Dr G - question about menstrual cups. I’ve been using one for quite a few years now and wash it with soap every time I use it (otherwise kind of a gross odor and makes me itchy if not cleaned each time). But I also notice that as my period ends the discharge is kind of foul smelling. After this article I’m wondering if I should clean it with a cleanser instead?
This was fucking excellent. Reading it aloud on the beach.
Egggggzactly, Jen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I've used an oil on my vulva, do I need to use a cleanser to wash it off? If so, how often? I use an oil lube, and I've also started dabbing on coconut oil because of sensations of dryness fairly regularly. I just use water to wash in my daily shower, and I also have a bidet, but should I be concerned about some kind of buildup of oil? Everything has been feeling good and my last gyno exam was all good, but I know that sometimes these things can be doing harm and not get caught until it's built up for a while!
I get youtube ads for "feminine cleansing" products that "stop odor" and "leave you fresh smelling" sometimes. Ive taken to going to the companies youtube channel and leaving comments on said videos like "because god forbid your vagina smells like a vagina." "Vaginas shouldnt smell like flowers, they should smell like vaginas" "these products cause irritation and actual bad odor" and other such. I highly recommend everyone do so.
I remember researching print ads in magazines at one point. They honest-to-God recommended Lysol for women’s intimate cleaning. Thank you for your good work to end feminine genital shaming.
Thanks Dr. Jen, you are awesome for debunking! i feel silly asking about yet another vaginal treatment but somehow there seems to be some science lit or maybe just vagina myths floating around about hydrogen peroxide, specifically for treating or complementary to antibiotic treating BV cause by various bacteria (thank goodness testing has become more specific!) The only mention of hydrogen peroxide I can find in you archive acknowledges that hydrogen peroxide can be a byproduct of the good bacteria and cause panty bleaching. Please illuminate us!
This column made me realize that the pandemic and various supply chain issues had caused me to purchase soap other than the Dove I had been buying. That this is probably why I have bouts of itchiness on the vulva and not the scary possibilities that googling indicated. I do have a question, though. Do you have a recommendation to help control the itching?
Of all the crazy stuff women are doing to their bodies, have you ever heard of a Psilocybin Vaginal Steam treatment? A friend is headed that direction and I'm trying to convince her otherwise. Am I correct that's a hard NO from you? Thanks - love all your info.
Can you speak to the Good Clean Love products? The homeopathic lactobacilli suppositories were suggested to me by a gyn specialist to try in conjunction with other therapies for DIV. I’m nervous to try them as I fear further irritation.
I wrote about them here, do not recommend https://vajenda.substack.com/p/good-clean-loves-vaginal-scam-suppositories
Love reading your work Dr G - question about menstrual cups. I’ve been using one for quite a few years now and wash it with soap every time I use it (otherwise kind of a gross odor and makes me itchy if not cleaned each time). But I also notice that as my period ends the discharge is kind of foul smelling. After this article I’m wondering if I should clean it with a cleanser instead?