Your Guide To... Taking Care Of Down There

From boosting your sex life to spotting symptoms, we reveal all you need to know to keep your vagina healthy

Every second person has one, yet for some reason, most of us are way too embarrassed to talk about our vaginas. But this lack of intimate chat may be doing our private parts harm, as we’re just not giving them the care and attention they need. So we’re here to talk about them loud and proud, and reveal exactly what you need to do to take care down there.

A FINE BALANCE

This organ is vital for our sex lives, childbirth and menstrual cycles. And like other fragile areas of our bodies, the vagina needs gentle, regular care. ‘Women have great skincare regimes for their face, neck and hands, but they rarely have the same for their intimate area,’ says gynaecologist Tania Adib.

Our vaginas are a delicate balance of hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – and beneficial bacteria. The bacteria help maintain an immune barrier, protecting us from any unwanted pathogens, such as yeast. ‘This is especially important if you’re prone to thrush or urinary tract infections (UTIs), or have been on antibiotics,’ explains nutritionist Marta Anhelush.

Our hormones play an essential role, too. ‘Oestrogen is important to promote healthy epithelial (thin tissue) and connective tissue of the vagina, which ensures there’s sufficient lubrication to prevent infections and support sexual function,’ advises Marta. ‘As we get older, our oestrogen levels drop,’ adds Marta. ‘This can have a significant impact on the structure of the vaginal tissue, leading to dryness, pain during intercourse, a higher risk of infections, general discomfort and a decrease in libido.’