Take care 'down there' when you're away

Heading on holiday? Packing flip-flops and sunscreen goes without saying, but how many of us plan for vaginal issues? Here's what to consider...

Bacteria gets a bad rap overall, but it has an important role to play when it comes to the health of the vagina, which needs lactobacillus bacteria and a slightly acidic environment to stay healthy. Trips away provide the perfect environment for both of these things to go off track. Hot, sweaty travel, frequent pool and sea dips, excess sugar and alcohol, warm, humid environments and (for some of you) more sex can wreak havoc with the good bacteria and acid/ alkaline (ph) balance, making way for fungal infections (thrush) and bacterial overgrowth (bacterial vaginosis).