The vagina is a muscular and tubular part of the female genital tract, which in humans extends from the vulva to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening may be partly covered by a membrane called the hymen. At the deep end, the cervix (neck of the uterus) bulges into the vagina. The vagina allows for sexual intercourse and childbirth, and channels menstrual flow, which occurs periodically as part of the menstrual cycle.All women should be concerned about their vaginal health as nothing can be as embarrassing as having it messed up down there. A healthy vagina is naturally acidic and contains rich quantities of beneficial bacteria that help fend off infections and maintain a normal pH level. A healthy vagina will also secrete small amounts of discharge to keep itself clean, much as saliva is produced to help cleanse your mouth. However,any interference with these normal conditions may result to vaginal irritation or infection. According to reports from Womenshealth Journal,there are some relevant practises every woman must abide to and certain things to avoid to keep the vagina healthy.Below are 15 necessary steps to take to keep it fresh and clean down there
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AVOID DOUCHING

Douching is a very common practise among women but the truth is douching does more harm than good to your vagina.Douching is squirting water or other fluids into the vaginato clean  the inside of the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. Most douches are sold in stores.Reports have proved that douching can interfere with the vagina's pH levels, reducing its acidity and setting the stage for bacterial infections. Normally, vaginal pH is about 3.8 to 4.5. If your vagina has a strong or unpleasant odor, see your doctor; a douche will only cover up the smell without curing the problem that's causing it. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers on the vulva or inside the vagina, as these also can affect a healthy pH balance.studies have shown that using intravaginal hygiene products can put you at increased risk of infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and STDs

 

Use Enough Lubricant During Sexual Intercourse, but not Petroleum Jelly

Lubrication is an important part of intercourse. Without it, the skin of the labia and vagina can become irritated and chafed, sometimes to the point of breaking. While vaginal lubrication usually occurs naturally during female arousal, some women do not produce enough natural lubricant. In this case, women should use an artificial lubricant to reduce friction and irritation, and to enhance pleasure. Avoid petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) and other oil-based products for this purpose because they can cause latex in condoms to break down and also might cause infection.

 

Maintain a Healthy Diet for Vaginal Health

A balanced, nutritious diet and drinking plenty of fluids are key to vaginal and reproductive health. In fact, certain foods may be effective in treating vaginal health problems. Cranberry juice and yogurt can potentially help prevent yeast infections and aid in their treatment.

  Use Condoms During Intercourse

Using condoms during sex helps to protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, genital herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts, and chlamydia. Some of these diseases, like HIV and genital herpes, have no cure. And others, like the human papillomavirus that causes genital warts, are also known to cause cancer or lead to other diseases. 

Always Treat Infections When They Arise

There are some Vagina infections which are very common, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Yeast infections are caused by several types of fungi, while bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria overgrowth in the vagina. Trichomoniasis is sexually transmitted. Treating these infections is crucial because not treating them can lead to unpleasant, painful, and serious reproductive health problems. All three are treated with oral or topical medications.

Always Wear Cotton Pants and Under wear

Choose Clothing Carefully to Stay Dry is vital in maintaining a healthy vagina.Your vagina should stay clean and dry — and what you wear can affect that. Certain types of fabrics and styles worn close to the genitals can increase heat and moisture, potentially leading to bacteria overgrowth and infections. Wear cotton underwear during the day, and avoid thongs. Try not to wear tight-fitting clothing, and change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes as quickly as possible.  

 Good Hygiene

Common sense can go a long way in protecting the health of your vagina. After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination of the vagina and to lower the risk of bladder infection. Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. When you're not having your period, do not use pads or panty liners to absorb normal vaginal discharge; they will keep moisture and warmth near your vagina, which can result in infection.Always wash and disinfect your panties regularly , and avoid using same panties for both your menstrual cycle and as your every day wear.
  
See Your Gynecologist for Preventive Care

Having regular gynecological exams is crucial to maintaining your vaginal health. Every woman should have her first gynecological exam by age 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active. Gynecologists and many family physicians are trained to diagnose diseases and disorders that can harm the vagina or your reproductive system as a whole. Gynecologists also perform Pap smears, which can detect changes in vaginal cells that might indicate the presence of cancer.

Include Yougurt in Your Daily diet

Snacking on yogurt especially greek yougurt with live cultures helps boost the good bacteria in the vagina and also helps prevent problems like yeast infections, . However,you must avoid the  super-sugary kind, because that could make you more susceptible to those infections.

Always Go To Your Annual check up

Always go for your normal regular test to ascertain the health of your vagina and test for infections to enable early detection .

Embrace the Kegel Exercise
Doing kegels is crucial for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, which are key in producing stronger, mind-blowing orgasms and also helps you feel tight down there.You can do the kegel exercise as often as you want.you do the kegel exercise by Finding the muscles you use to stop urinating,Squeeze these muscles for 3 seconds and Then relax for 3 seconds.

 Avoid Excessive Intake of Antibiotics
Another threat to the vagina health is the intake of  antibiotics because they are a threat to some of the good bacteria that live in the vagina.. Those pills can kill off some of that wonderful lactobacilli that keep your vagina healthy, Studies have shown that if you have to take an antibiotic to fight infection, you shouldn't pass up the prescription, just load up on probiotic Greek yogurt to reduce the damage, .

Be Mindful of the Order of Sex Acts

During sexual intercourse, be mindful not to introduce harmful bacteria into the vagina .Make sure not to go from anal to vaginal sex without changing the condom or properly cleaning off first, . Going from backdoor to front exposes your vagina to a host of bacteria and can up your risk of infections. Also before introducing the finger into the vagina for sexual pleasure or from your partner, ensure the fingers are clean because the fingers pick a lot of bacteria which can be introduced into the vagina during that process.

Avoid Washing the Vagina with Scented Soaps

avoid washing the vagina with scented soaps as it can irritate the vagina. Soap can be really drying to the sensitive skin around your vulva, and you really only need to rinse with warm water to keep things clean down there. But if you just don't feel right about going soap-free, stick with a plain, gentle, unscented soap.

Avoid the Use of Vagina tightening products

The market is currently flooded with different brands of vagina tightening products which and the quest to make the vagina tighter has seen many babes introducing various harmful products into the vagina.Some of these products contain substances that cause infections. To achieve a tight vagina,do the kegel exercise as often as possible.