Many women know how to take care of their vagina, but many don't! In this blog we will tell you everything you want to know about intimate care. From hygiene to hair removal and the right underwear. Read on and make your yoni happy!

Intimate care

Lesson #1: Don't wash your vagina with soap. This has everything to do with the natural acidity of your vagina. Soap and shower gel disrupt this natural acidity. Yes, even the special "intimate care products" for your vagina.

Lactic acid is produced in the vagina, which makes the skin near the vulva more acidic than in other parts of the body. This acidity protects against all kinds of external influences, but unfortunately this balance can also be disturbed, which can lead to infections. If you wash your vagina with soap, you run a high risk of developing a nasty yeast infection.

A quick chemistry lesson: to measure acidity, we use a pH value. Around the vagina, this value is around 5.2 and around the rest of your body around 7. Regular soap has a pH value of 7. If you wash your vagina with it, you disrupt this acidity.

Washing with a vaginal douche?

Washing with a special soap for down under is best avoided. This is because the vagina is self-cleaning and therefore only needs lukewarm water. There are now various intimate cleansers on the market that offer soap that does maintain the correct pH value of your vulva and vagina. However, there is a risk that you wash too much and wash away the good bacteria. In this case, you still run the risk of infections.

Do you feel that your vagina still smells very strongly after washing with water? There is a big chance that you have an infection or some form of bacteria. Then definitely do not wash your intimate parts with soap! Instead, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor.

Clean, cotton underwear

Putting on clean underwear every day is something we all learn as children. However, we want to emphasize here: clean underwear is incredibly important for a healthy intimate zone. It is best to wear cotton underwear. Synthetic panties make this area extra warm and vulnerable to bacteria. The vagina is naturally moist, so make sure the material of your underwear is light and airy. After all, fungi love a warm, moist environment.

Have safer sex

One of the best and easiest things you can do for vaginal health is to practice safer sex. Here are a few tips to stay safe:

· Use protection. This could be a condom, dental dam, or gloves. It’s not rocket science, and you already know you should be doing it, so just do it.

· Get ​​tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You should get tested after all partners with whom you exchange genital fluids.

· Pay attention to the order of your sex acts. Going from butt play to vaginal play can increase your chances of getting an infection, like those painful UTIs. If anal is your thing, make sure you do it after vaginal sex, not before.

· Make sure to check condom ingredients. There are a lot of brands that are made with spermicides. Spermicides are not very healthy for the vagina because they can kill good bacteria there too. If possible, use other forms of birth control for a happier, healthier vagina.

Use body-safe sex toys

Do you ever wonder how some toys work? You're not alone. And it turns out that not all sex toys are safe from anything other than taking up space in one of your drawers.

Toys made from certain materials are generally safe. Such as: wood, silicone, stainless steel, glass, ceramic, stone, a type of plastic called ABS.

That being said, these should be pure and medical or even food grade materials, not mixtures.

You also have body-safe silicone, all our Pure Lust toys are made of it!

You are what you eat

The right nutrition is important for a healthy body, also for your genitals. If you suffer from vaginal complaints, it is best to avoid coffee and alcohol as much as possible. They cause a negative moisture balance and can disrupt the protection of the vaginal flora. If you drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, it is important to hydrate your body more. Water or herbal tea is great!

In addition, alcohol and soft drinks contain a lot of sugar. Sugar causes inflammation and lowers the resistance of mucous membranes. Starchy products such as bread, pasta and cookies can also weaken your mucous membranes.

It is best to eat as much vegetables, fruit and proteins as possible. Vegetables in particular contain many prebiotic substances; fiber that feeds the good intestinal bacteria. The intestinal mucosa and the vaginal mucosa 'communicate' a lot with each other via these bacteria, which allows you to positively influence your vaginal flora.

Probiotics for vaginal health

Probiotics are naturally found in your gut, mouth, vagina, urinary tract, skin, and lungs. Despite their humble nature, they offer a variety of health benefits. For example, for women who are prone to urinary tract infections and yeast infections, probiotics are a natural way to combat these infections.

More research is needed to determine whether or not probiotics are a good way to prevent and treat vaginal imbalance and the conditions that can cause it. However, some research suggests that taking probiotics may be helpful in treating and establishing healthy vaginal balance.

Check your lubricant ingredients

Lube is great. It can take sex to the next level for everyone involved. However, there are some ingredients that are not very healthy for your body.

For example, glycerin is related to sugar. While it works great for keeping lubricants lubricated, it can also contribute to the growth of bacteria in the vagina. Petroleum products are also a no-no because they can mess with the natural pH of the vagina. Other things you may want to avoid include: parabens, fragrances, flavors, non-natural oils, dyes.

Avoid using panty liners

Some women always use panty liners for vaginal discharge. However, it is best to only use panty liners occasionally, as daily use increases the risk of irritation and infection. Change your tampon, pad or panty liners often enough during your period to keep everything as clean as possible.

A menstrual cup or menstrual underwear are also good alternatives. A menstrual cup also only absorbs menstrual blood and not the beneficial fluid from the vagina. In addition, menstrual underwear is made of cotton and supports your moisture balance.

Peeing after sex

In addition to the fact that bladder infections are more common in women than in men, the risk of getting one also increases if you are sexually active. This is because you get the infection when bacteria move up the urethra and, as it were, enter the bladder. The chance of getting a bladder infection after sex is greater, because a considerable number of bacteria can reach the bladder during sexual intercourse. By urinating after sex, you can easily flush these bacteria away.

Good to know: you don't have to run to the toilet right after you come. Feel free to take some time to cuddle afterwards. Just make sure you don't wait another 2 hours before going to the toilet, because then you're more likely to get an infection.

Sleep in your birthday suit

No lie, sleeping naked can be healthy for your vagina. No matter what underwear you wear during the day, a night without underwear can help your vagina breathe. The benefits don’t stop there, though. Some research suggests that those cooler temperatures can actually be good for your health. An easy way to cool down? Sleep naked. And once you’re naked, you might be surprised at how incredibly liberating and empowering it can be!

Hair removal

Shaving your intimate area can be a hassle. Razor burn, ingrown hairs, irritated skin, itching… Need help? Here are some tips:

• Shave your hair when it is soft, that is, when you are in the shower or bath.
• Use a sharp and clean (!) razor.
• Scrub with a scrub specifically made for your intimate area. Do this before shaving, or a few days after. Make sure you only use the scrub on your pubic mound and groin area and not on your labia. Scrubbing reduces the chance of ingrown hairs.
• High pain threshold and looking for a more permanent solution? Try laser hair removal! This targets the hair follicles, causing your hair to thin out first and ultimately preventing it from growing back. No hair means no ingrown hairs, no bumps, no itching!

Go for whole body health

Eat well, keep your weight under control and try to exercise and move enough. This is not only good for your whole body; it is also good for your reproductive organs. Conversely, chronic conditions can put your reproductive organs at risk. For example, poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of developing yeast infections and bladder infections.