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Health

washing intimate places

(109 Posts)
etheltbags1 Mon 25-Jan-16 22:04:48

I cant remember if it was on gnet that I read about the correct way to wash the vagina. I read that you must never wash the inner labia only the outer. The inner has its own system of cleaning itself and can be affected by harsh soap/detergent. I had an argument today with a family member about how to wash this area and she washes the inner (bits) on her little girl, I have never believed in washing babies in that area unless they were soiled and only then with a damp tissue, not those scented baby wipes. So my question is, to settle the argument- do we wash the inner labia, women or babies or let it clean itself.

Flowerofthewest Sat 06-Feb-16 17:53:25

Ana Thanks will send to my sister. She started all this with her Probation Officer buddies. They should know better.grin

Ana Sat 06-Feb-16 11:17:32

www.snopes.com/embarrass/feminine/glitter.asp

Plenty of these urban myths on here! wink

Flowerofthewest Sat 06-Feb-16 11:14:23

I may have posted a good while ago under another forum. Do you also remember the postage stamp

Ana Fri 05-Feb-16 21:07:33

I don't doubt it, but I've heard it before. Perhaps it's quite a common occurrence!

Flowerofthewest Fri 05-Feb-16 20:58:40

It's true Ana.

Ana Fri 05-Feb-16 20:03:19

The old ones are the best...grin

WilmaKnickersfit Fri 05-Feb-16 19:39:51

Best post of the day Flowerofthewest grin

Flowerofthewest Fri 05-Feb-16 19:30:09

On a lighter side, my sisters friend went to dr for intimate examination. She lay down and assumed the smear position. The dr looked at her and said 'Thanks for making an effort today' she had sprayed herself with her daughters glitter hair spray instead of few fresh. grin

ShowerGel Fri 05-Feb-16 18:10:35

I notice no-one has mentioned bacterial vaginosis, which can cause a smell and is thought to be a result of the pH changes that we experience when we are older.
I've seen it mentioned on a TV advert but I can't remember what product they were promoting.

I don't use soap, apart from a small dollop of shower gel for my armpits or handwash for my hands, never use it on my face and stick to plain water for external nether regions.

starbird Wed 03-Feb-16 00:18:47

I think a bidet is the best answer, but in its absence, I keep a small plastic bottle in the bathroom that I fill with lukewarm water from the washbasin, and use to rinse myself after going to the toilet in the morning, first behind then in front, but I am lucky to have a small bathroom in which the sink is next to the toilet. And it does make the seat wet and requires a certain amount of dexterity ( but not as much as jumping up and down in the shower). And yes, panty liners are useful if you have a bad cough or weak muscles, just a few drops could leave a damp patch on a friend's sofa. This is the reality of growing old for some people.

WilmaKnickersfit Mon 01-Feb-16 23:58:13

I know the OP was about a serious subject, but I think this is the funniest thread I've read on here since joining last year! My imagination is working overtime at visualising some of you with a shower head, especially merlotgran jumping up and down! grin

Penstemmon Mon 01-Feb-16 23:14:57

Whilst discussions about stained knickers is not particularly inspiring I think the OP was a legit topic to explore as it appears there are in fact a wide range of views on the correct approach to washing female genitalia!

Crafting Mon 01-Feb-16 22:05:23

jamila shock certainly not. It's far too wide, you'd never be the same again grin. Mind you, might not be as painful as a steam cleaner!

Alea Mon 01-Feb-16 21:26:38

<sigh>
For once I agree. Are we really so short of intelligent discussion topics?

granjura Mon 01-Feb-16 21:07:34

hicaz46- just like you-my mind truly boggles about the 4 pages ....

etheltbags1 Mon 01-Feb-16 21:05:46

I hate to see knickers on the line with stained middles, so it doesn't matter what anyone uses the pan ty liners for as long as it protects the underwear.

Jalima Mon 01-Feb-16 20:53:21

Just thought of another use for those fancy Karcher steam cleaners.

Well, I have the Karcher vacuum window cleaner or wouldn't that be the right thing to use?

Jalima Mon 01-Feb-16 20:51:28

etheltbags grin

Perhaps some wear very discreet panty liners because the muscles are not all they should be after childbearing? Not enough to warrant surgery but enough not to respond to daily exercises. And worse with a cough. Just a thought.

etheltbags1 Mon 01-Feb-16 20:49:20

I had a swab done not too long ago as I had had a urine infection due to my immunity being lowered and I got my 'female bits ' done too and I had nothing wrong down there. Everyone knows there is a natural secretion and its bound to mark underwear. That's why panty liners are useful, especially in summer.

BTW an ex boyfriend of DD used to spray deodorant on his penis after washing. Does anyone know of men doing this ? sound horrible, I wouldn't want to smell a penis under any circumstances.

JessM Mon 01-Feb-16 20:12:05

Maybe you panty liner addicts should get a swab done?

etheltbags1 Mon 01-Feb-16 19:59:41

I use panty liners because no matter how well you wash there is still a natural lubrication in that area and there is always a residue on underwear. I like nice clean white knickers on my line hence the panty liners.
anyone who doesn't like the discussion should not bother reading it, however I hope that some people may have got reassurance from it.

hicaz46 Sun 31-Jan-16 15:05:52

I cannot believe this discussion has spilled over 4 pages.
The advice and variety is amazing. Normal healthy people (ie no specific problems in that area) should wash in shower or bath and then leave alone. No sprays and certainly no pant liners. I cannot believe someone has been using them for 40 years. What a waste of money and must surely only be helping the company who produces them with their profits!!!

etheltbags1 Thu 28-Jan-16 19:44:49

Just to avoid any confusion, I meant the inner labia, the outer labia can just be soaked in the bath or cleaned like the rest of the body. I am maybe confusing things by saying the vagina which I take to mean the canal inside the body. Hope that clears any confusion, also I read about this subject in 'cosmopolitan' magazine but I cant remember what they said about washing. Thank you all for your comments.

btw I just use water and a cloth, if I put anything in the bath I tend to sting.

POGS Thu 28-Jan-16 16:27:05

Clairseptember.

That really made me smile. grin

Valerie1928 Thu 28-Jan-16 16:19:13

Many years ago I was told by a Dr in the "Female" clinic that you should NEVER use anything but plain water "down below". Also she advised against baths with perfumed soaps, salts etc added. In fact she did not rate baths at all from the point of view of infections, as water can access the body too high up when sitting or lying in the bath.
Needless to say I haven't cleaned "down below" with anything but plain water and a clean flannel since!