Quick Tip Of The Day: Your Hand Is The Best Thing To Clean Your Lady Parts
Posted by: Annika Harris
Filed in:
style
8:20AM, Tuesday November 3rd 2009
I went to the gyno Saturday and was surprised when the nurse practitioner asked me what I use to wash the goodies. I told her Summer’s Eve Sensitive Wash. She told me she doesn’t trust products like Summer’s Eve, Massengill, or Lamisil because these companies also make douches, which we all know are unhealthy. She suggested regular old Dove soap and a hand—washcloths can hold bacteria—as the best method for cleaning the lady parts. She also cautioned against allowing any water into the vagina, saying to only clean the outside. Now, I’m a little cheap in weird ways, so I’m not switching to Dove until my wash runs out, which it almost has. What do you think about the nurse’s advice? And what do you use to stay fresh and clean?
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Perceptible
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:24 am: [report]
I have heard this before from several doctors, all saying Dove was best. I switched years ago and use nothing else. As for washcloth vs. hand, seems like those parts are a little too sensitive and delicate for anything besides a hand. Sounds like sound advice to me!
Rose
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:27 am: [report]
Rinse with lots of clear water, too, so no soap residue hangs around. There’s never any need for scented or harsh cleansers.
imadesomething
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:34 am: [report]
My gyno told me to NEVER put soap on my vagina. The vagina cleans itself and when you add soap into the mix you increase the chance of infection. I just use water, it’s worked fine for me.
akr223
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:45 am: [report]
obviously the douche apparatus is unsafe, but that is because of the physical way it cleans the vagina. I don’t understand why a completely different product that cleans in a different way, would also be unsafe. I’m confused :/
H. Blue
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:58 am: [report]
It’s not news to me. Basically, the fewer chemicals and foreign objects you introduce to that area the better.
carbe
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:04 am: [report]
I’ve heard of just water and vinegar once a week. But I don’t think I’d actually try it.
chouette
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:17 am: [report]
That’s exactly what I’ve been doing for years- I use the sensitive skin bar- no fragrances, etc.
@akr223 I believe the reason douching is unsafe is not the apparatus itself but that putting liquid up your lady parts introduces bacteria and also changes the ph of the “environment” up there- causes infections, etc.
Lynn
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:18 am: [report]
Interesting. I’ve used my hand if for some reason I’m stuck without a washcloth, but I felt like a hand wasn’t “thorough” enough to use that every time. But if a dr suggests it…maybe I won’t feel so grody next time.
bumbler
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:22 am: [report]
When I was little I had very sensitive skin. I was allergic to almost every laundry detergent, fabric softener and soap but my pediatrician recommended Dove and it worked like a charm. Makes sense that it would be equally gentle on sensitive adult skin.
Claireific
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:23 am: [report]
I think the nurse’s argument is unsound - just because a douche company makes a wash doesn’t mean the wash is somehow unsafe by association. If she found that the wash was full of fragrances, preservatives, and other chemicals that in her experience irritate the vagina and vulva, then THAT would be a sound argument against its use.
msu.umich
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:26 am: [report]
I’ve been using the good old hand for years. I only have washcloths in case an overnight guest needs one.
GreenAura
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:34 am: [report]
Hand user here! Also, I only use Sappo Hill natural soap, made w/ palm & coconut oils, no artificial colors or added fragrances. And I’m always so fresh and so clean clean.
FrzKey
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 09:35 am: [report]
Dove and a hand, most def. I then rinse the lips with lots of clean water, inner and outer. Water isn’t going to damage your pH which is what will give you yeast infections but it can do a good job of rinsing out things that need a help changing up the flow.
ydragurl
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 10:19 am: [report]
Wow…I never knew the hand method was doctor-approved for cleaning out the lady bits. I started using my hand a few years ago, simply because it’s easier to get in between the labia with your fingers than with a bath sponge.
moonblossom
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 10:28 am: [report]
Dr. Oz says its a self cleaning oven. Anything more than regular washing up in the shower type cleaning seems like over kill to me. And no scrubbing with washclothes…ouch!
Kate2009
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 10:48 am: [report]
Doing it with a washclothe seems kind of icky to me - do you wash it after every time?
Hand all the way, soap just for the outer bits.
QTKT
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 11:09 am: [report]
A few years back I was having major dryness issues. I got the same advice. I only use dove sensitive skin (without any fragrance) with my hand and everything is back to normal. But it is important that you only clean the outside and wash all of the soap away.
HellzBellz
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 11:26 am: [report]
Dr. knows best here.
I have exceptionally sensitive skin and am constantly seeking hypoallergenic wash/soap. Even dove has a little fragrance in it; so if that causes agitation try Jason brand. I’ve used that with no problem and I think it’s at CVS or probably any drug store for that matter.
Typewriter
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 11:39 am: [report]
@HellzBellz - me too! The Dove soaps I’ve used in the past have made the skin on my chest and arms break out, so I’ve been a bit hesitant to use it anywhere else.
I’ve been using just a little pea-sized amount of liquid baby soap. I lather it with warm water in my hands and wash the outside and rinse well. Works like a charm for me!
Queen Frostine
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 11:49 am: [report]
Hand + natural detergent/chemical free soaps. Plus I keep baby wipes alongside the TP for sporadic freshening.
sassymcsmartypants
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 12:39 pm: [report]
your doctor gives sound advice. i was told to use Dial white with no scents or added chemicals. it has helped decrease my sensitivities in that area A LOT. another piece of advice my doctor gave me, stay away from underwear with dyed/colored fabric in the crotch area. Colored underwear is fine, just make sure the inside fabric near the crotch area is white. colors and dies can be very irritating to that region. the white cotton can help decrease itchiness, odor and bacterial infections.
remembercedricdiggory
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 01:59 pm: [report]
Uh-oh…I hadn’t fully comprehended that getting water all up into the vagina is quite unhealthy…
Which makes me wonder if using the water method of masturbation, under a bath faucet, is bad for the vagina. Because I’m sure water gets in there. Does anyone know?
Anniushka
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 02:34 pm: [report]
Good to know I’ve been doing something right! I don’t pay much attention to what brand of soap I use, but I just don’t use washcloths in general; I exfoliate pretty much my entire body except for my privates on a nightly basis, and I use a scrubby mitt or bath brush for that. (Those options feel better and suds more than a washcloth, and since they don’t absorb water like a washcloth, they stay cleaner.) I just use my hands for the more sensitive parts.
Oh Kathryn!
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 03:14 pm: [report]
I’m an RN and a year away from an MD and I couldn’t agree with your NP more.
loveitlala
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 05:04 pm: [report]
I think the NP doesn’t like those brands in general. They make a living off of promoting the fact that women “smell” down there and need special supplies to clean their “ickyness” which is utter #&@$%.
mcosita
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 08:34 pm: [report]
I use the same soap I use for the rest of my body, which is whatever soap is on hand (my bf bought a 36 pack of Irish Spring a while ago) and just wash the outside with my hand. I’m not very sensitive though - I’ve only ever had one yeast infection, and no other problems - so the harsh stuff probably doesn’t work for everyone.
I didn’t even think of putting soap all up in there—that sounds like a bad idea. What if you didn’t get it all when you rinsed?? Just wondering about that would drive me crazy.
janessadawn
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 10:35 pm: [report]
Burt’s Bees (love Burt) citrus/ginger wash and hand. Used Ivory since I was a baby but recently switched since Burt doesn’t use drying sulfates.
Laurel
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 11:02 pm: [report]
Hmm. I guess I’m in the minority here but I don’t use any soap at all. I was always told that was what was best for washing the mucous membranes. I just wash with warm water and my hand.
titsmagee
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 11:02 pm: [report]
I am wondering how many people are talking about vaginas and how many people are talking about vulvas. I clean my vulva with my hand and neutrogena rainbath showergel. I don’t clean my vagina at all. When I’m on my period sometimes I do use my hand and water to rinse but not too far up. I’m pretty sure use of ANY soap would be bad for the vaginal canal…basically like a douche.
remembercedricdiggory
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 04:50 pm: [report]
@titsmagee; (Nice name.) I was wondering that same thing. To clarify for anyone who actually wanted to know, I was referring the the vagina in my comment.
And I really think a doctor should be basing their advice off of evidence and studies and whatnot, not a distrust of a company due to their other products.
MondimNebel
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 09:26 pm: [report]
@ imadesomething & titsmagee: Dove is actually not soap- if you read the box/bottle, it’s called a “beauty bar” (I forget what the body wash is called). But it doesn’t contain soap, so many doctors recommend it for sensitive skin.
snap
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 09:43 pm: [report]
i’ve always just used water and my hand. that’s all a girl really needs! i’d definitely get a yeast infection from using a product.