How to support good vulva hygiene

The 'vaginal microbiome' is the community of microbes that live in the vagina. It consists of bacteria and other microbes and the health of the vaginal microbiome is linked to the whole body, playing an important part in a woman's overall health and wellbeing.

Our friends at Salcura explain how to take care of the vagina by balancing the pH levels to help support good vulva hygiene and vaginal health.

Causes of a pH imbalance

Many factors can trigger an imbalance in the pH of the vulva and vagina including age, menstrual cycles and the menopause, which can lead to a build-up of unhealthy bacteria, yeast infections, itchiness and soreness. The optimal pH for the vagina is acidic, and ranges from 3.8 - 4.5. Imbalances in the pH of the vaginal microbiome can cause problems such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), thrush and general discomfort. Learn more in 'What is bacterial vaginosis'.

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The things we do in our daily lives, as well as natural processes and events, can impact our vaginal microbiome without us even realising it. Taking antibiotics, the menstrual cycle, having sex with a man who is not clean, scented products, washing internally - these and other factors can all change the pH of the vagina out of its optimal range, and some of these things are unavoidable!

How to topically rebalance your pH levels

After noticing there was a lack of natural solutions for thrush and other similar fungal infections, Topida Intimate Hygiene Spray was created, in line with Salcura’s principles of homeostasis, with high-quality, natural oils and extracts to assist the body in rebalancing. Its quick-acting solution effectively balances the pH levels with carefully selected natural oils and extracts that help maintain skin cells and mucosa in a viable and healthy condition; eucalyptus extract, lemon and peppermint to soothe and cool the inflamed area; safflower and rosehip to nourish and moisturise the skin; and tea tree, thyme and sea buckthorn to bring the bacteria back into balance. In a laboratory test, Topida eliminated 99.9% of Candida albicans and Escherichia coli bacteria in just 10 minutes.

Why do we need a different wash for the intimate area?

The pH in the vagina is very acidic, so it's important to avoid applying any harsh products with fragrances that remove natural oils or moisture from the skin.

Body washes frequently contain fragrances and skin irritants, which your hardier skin can tolerate, but is incredibly disruptive to the harmony of the bacteria existing in your vagina microbiome. Even fragrance-free and sensitive skin washes, such as Bioskin Body Wash, lack the correct essential oils to support your microbiome and can strip away essential natural oils. While plain water will not necessarily cause irritation, it can still be too stripping. This is why it’s important to use a dedicated intimate hygiene wash.

There are many myths surrounding vaginal health, and that stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the female genital area. One important distinction that's important to note is 'the vagina' is the internal canal and 'the vulva' is the external area, including the labia. The vagina is self-cleaning, and using any water or product to ‘douche’ can upset the balance. The vulva should be cleaned daily, with water or, ideally, a gentle, natural wash such as Topida Intimate Hygiene wash.

Topida Intimate Hygiene Wash includes no common irritants and plenty of microbiome-friendly ingredients, including tea tree, chamomile, lavender and witch hazel to gently cleanse without stripping away the necessary natural oils.

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