whoneedssexed:
There is this really terrible, incorrect, and even dangerous list going around.
Do not listen to it, do not reblog it! It is very wrong and the “advice” listed here can cause serious problems.
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Baby wipes are not necessary at all for your hygiene. While not as bad as most products, being used “every time” will definitely cause some damage. Your genitals maintain a specific environment of bacteria and a specific pH balance, and hygiene products will disrupt these balances and increase your risk of infection and other health issues. This includes baby wipes. All you need to clean your genitals is either rinsing with hot (not boiling) water or wiping with a clean rag with hot water.
- We do need water, but it’s also possible to hurt yourself by drinking too much, so take care to watch what you’re getting. As a side note, choose your water source carefully.
- Grapefruit is known to interfere with MANY medications, and that includes birth control if you have certain medical conditions, as well as other hormonal medication/treatments. Citrus fruits (pineapples!) are a concern in general but in most cases are considered not significant enough to cause issue – so ask your doctor if increasing citrus is okay. (Also remember that eating too much citrus fruits can cause burns and other bad reactions, especially on your tongue.)
These fruits are generally suggested based on the belief of changing your vagina to be more palatable. They are only suggested as home remedies/homeopathic for vaginal health. Besides yogurt and other probiotic foods, these foods have no medical backing as improving vaginal health and hygiene.
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Don’t exfoliate your mucus membranes. Be careful exfoliating this area in general because this skin is far, far more sensitive. It is important to keep clean here especially when shaving, but you have to remember where we’re at.
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DO NOT USE UNDILUTED TEA TREE OIL ON BARE SKIN, ESPECIALLY GENITAL SKIN. It will hurt, it will rash, and you may even end up with burns. Don’t use essential oils in general on your skin.
- Moisturizing is important when shaving. It reduces the risk of shaving rash, itching, burning, and ingrown hairs to keep moisturized before and after you shave this area. But please, do not use these oils!! Even plain water by itself can be good enough – sit in the tub while shaving! Check out our #shaving tag for REAL, healthy shaving tips!
- Yes, take your vitamins, but be aware of what ones you need and how you need them. It’s just in general a good idea for your health. But it’s not imperative or required!
- This is almost as bad as the suggestion to use tea tree oil. Do NOT use soap on your genitals!! Even soaps “for” your genitals are terrible. Again, the genitals have a delicate nature that should not be disturbed. Genital hygiene products are made with the idea that the vagina is gross by default! It’s not about being healthy, it’s about reaching an unrealistic and incorrect beauty standard. Only use soap that your doctor prescribes you.
In fact, this list reeks to the stars of adhering to aesthetic expectations. Soaps, fruits, oils, baby wipes – this list looks like something pulled out of a magazine for making your vagina sparkle and smell good, rather than work well and stay healthy; many of the things on this list are typically suggested to
“combat”/alter vaginal smell, taste, and lubricant/discharge production
(yes, including the foods). I have yet to see a health professional or organization that wasn’t
affiliated with or quoted by a “feminine hygiene” company that endorsed
the use of these things, baby wipes included.
Please combat this post when you see it!
Waiting for Winter 