Nothing is more sexualized, politicized, and visualized than the vagina. It is truly a site of struggle, mired in endless discourse ranging from the everyday to its supposed societal role. It is both iconic and ordinary, varying in representations across socio-political contexts. There is so much political sparring surrounding the vagina, such as the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s that fought for their constitutional right to do with the vagina as they wished. Only for this right to be taken back in 2022 by primarily conservative elite (men).
Yet, we also shy away from images of the vagina, replacing it instead with impressions of flowers or fruit to visualize the vulva. But if you’ve ever sat at the edge of your bed in front of a full mirror with your legs spread eagle, you’d probably know it looks nothing like organic produce. The resemblance is naught.
There are a million ways to talk vagine—about what it can or can’t do or shouldn’t stand for. But if you have a vagina yourself, you would know that all of these deliberations are so utterly exhausting. And secondary, perhaps, to the one thing we really care about… its daily upkeep.
The most intimate concern we women have about our genitalia has been hidden from public discussion for so long. We have talked about the vagina in a myriad of ways, except for how to truly care for it. That is, making sure that our vaginas are healthy. Healthy! Is that such a big ask?
We can thank recent trends for stomping on outdated patriarchal ideologies and normalizing #VagTok. Vaginal health is finally at the forefront of women’s health, with new testing kits, supplements, or easier access to healthcare being made accessible. It’s time to dish out the old wives’ tales about our vaginas and openly consider ways to ensure their health. But what is a healthy vagina?
Time for some vagina 101: The vagina’s organic functions are to aid in releasing the monthly period, to deliver babies, and to be used as an organ for sex. A healthy vagina is free from infections, sickness, trauma, or harm. Within the vagina is a constellation of bacteria, yeasts, and other naturally occurring microorganisms. They live harmoniously in balance. So… a healthy vagina doesn’t mean it needs to smell like a meadow of daisies. In fact, you are not supposed to wash the inside of your vagina through scrubbing or scented soaps. Breaking news: Our vagina is not a flower. The vagina cleans itself through discharge and upkeeps its delicate pH balance, making feminine products more a marketing invention than a medical need.
Feminine hygiene products that claim to cleanse or manage odors feed into a culture that makes us think the vagina is dirty and needs cleaning. Breaking news: Our vagina is not a flower. The vagina cleans itself through discharge and upkeeps its delicate pH balance, making feminine products more a marketing invention than a medical need. In fact, some obstetricians & gynecologists do not recommend using these products as they may be unnecessary. So no, you do not need to do like Kourtney Kardashian and steam your poosh with a rose vaginal steam. But you can and should wash the outside of the vagina, your vulva.
The vulva is the skin outside the vagina, and she likes to be kept clean, dry, and well-aired. That said, vulva maintenance is simple: Wash with warm water, pat dry, and give her room to breathe. Loose-fitting 100 percent cotton panties are best for this job. It’s even better if you sleep nude. She wants to be free and not trapped in drenched Lulu Lemons after pilates because you are too lazy to shower. Think of it this way: Your vagina is a microbial community, and there is a status quo. Your job: maintain that status quo.
Our vagina maintains a healthy microbiome where good bacteria thrive. Think of it this way: Your vagina is a microbial community, and there is a status quo. Your job: Maintain that status quo. The intrusion of harmful bacteria leads to many challenges for a woman, from pain to infertility. The most common infections can lead to bacterial vaginosis and UTI—a genuinely debilitating and painful experience. These can be averted by ensuring that everything you put in the vagina is clean, too. And because sex is one of the organ’s primary functions, it is also one of the most common ways we encounter harmful intrusions. Toys or boys should shower before use.
What we eat can also impact the health of our vaginas, but perhaps not in the way that Cosmopolitan magazine used to tell us. The “6 Surprising Things That Change the Way You Taste Down There” to make it more “pleasurable” for your partner to go down on is not as important as the health benefits of a good diet. Particular food like cranberries can prevent UTIs. Sweet potatoes rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A can reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis. Probiotics can re-introduce good bacteria into the nether region. But dieting so your partner can have a delectable tasting experience may be unnecessary. Your vagina is not a Michelin-star dish. (Though it could be with the right mindset).
Then there’s the hair. There’s a reason that we have hair down there. God didn’t make Brazilian waxes, but he did make sure we had pubes. Pubic hair is a protective buffer to prevent the transmission of unwanted bacteria. Whether you keep or get rid of the bush is a personal preference.
Lastly, ensuring a healthy vagina also means knowing what is not. For this, learn to read your body like it is data: Strong unpleasant odors, unusually colored discharge, itching, inflammation, spots, or any kind of pain means something is off and definitely not good. Your vagina is not a flower, but it is a precious thing. Take care of it well.
Puressentiel Intimate Hygiene Cleansing Gel
P928, via Lazada
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Two Lips Screen
P3,150 via cultfavorites.com.ph
Two Lips Pout
P8,200 via cultfavorites.com.ph
Two Lips De-Crease
P5,498 via cultfavorites.com.ph
