Taking care of down there

>> STIs prevalent than most people realise – doctor.

- Hein Kaiser

Vaginal health might not be the topic of everyday conversation over a G&T, but it should be.

Dr Jonathan Redelinghuys said that too many women rely on outdated advice or social media myths when it comes to caring for one of the most complex and resilient parts of their bodies. He said that caring for your "land down under" should be as natural as caring for the rest of your body.

"The vagina is a self-maintaining system," he said.

Just like other parts of the body, such as the throat, the vagina has a microbiome that keeps everything in check. This microbiome consists of various bacteria that maintain a balanced pH level, ensuring that the vaginal environment stays healthy.

"You don't need to stick anything in there to clean it," he said. External cleaning agents, particularly douches and soaps, can be highly detrimental.

Disturbing the natural balance with these foreign products, you run the risk of bacterial overgrowth. "Introducing things like douches and soaps can cause normal bacteria to overgrow, leading to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis," he explained.

This condition may manifest as off-putting smells or abnormal discharge and can often be avoided simply by allowing the vagina to regulate itself.