Confession: Ive been washing my lady parts incorrectly my entire life.
No soap on the vulva who knew?
This week our sexual health experts talk about vaginal hygiene and so much more.
Consider this a teaching moment.
Im a woman in my 70s with a small amount of bladder leakage that creates an odor.
What is the best way to prepare my genital area for oral sex that wont turn my partner off?
Is it enough to simply wash before sex?
Washing before sex should do it, according to Maureen Slattery, an ob-gyn and certified sexual health counselor.
But get this theres a right way and a wrong way to cleanse your genital geography.
My conclusion after talking to our experts?
Vaginal maintenance should come with its own instruction manual.
Theres even a name for the condition: intertrigo.
Mikkilineni says to keep that skin thoroughly cleansed and see if you notice a difference.
Thedosanddontsofgenitalhygiene.Mikkilineni recommends against using any scented lotions or soaps.
In other words, keep it natural.
As she puts it: Its not supposed to smell like flowers down there.
And never douche or use soap in the vagina.
Uzelac is the former West Coast bureau chief forThe Baltimore Sun.
She writes frequently on sex, relationships, travel and lifestyle issues.
Do you have a question?
Slattery says you could also use wipes to cleanse the genitals but to treat them with caution.
She suggests trying out wipes made with coconut water.
Just look for something with minimal additives, she says.
Not everyone will tolerate every formulation of them.
It comes in a cream and spray and can be found online and at many grocery and drug stores.
