Soaping your bits (TMI)

[Pachonga]

So I’ve had a stubborn bout of thrush recently (brought on by a sugary lube ) and found it tricky to shift (can’t use pessaries or soothing creams) so I read every yeast-related thread on Mumsnet and a recurring suggestion was not to use soap on your a vulva at all. Now I’ve never used soap inside my vagina but have always given the flaps and everything external a good soap up daily. However, as I was so sore and so sensitive, I decided to give it a go and after a few days, the area actually feels loads better. But I do have a few questions:

Is warm water really enough on it’s own? Am I getting rid of any sweat/normal discharge just by rinsing?

I still wash my outer pube area and the inner tops of my thighs, bum crack (sorry) and external part of the bum hole (even sorrier) with soap. Is this ok?

Can confirm there is absolutely no smell coming from that area and it does feel a lot less sore so I’m going to continue. I just want to hear from people that know that I’m not storing up problems for the future.

Thanks in advance

I wash the hair nothing more definitely no umm flap washing

I've never put soap anywhere near my vulva. I wash the front, thighs and bum with soap but the undercarriage with water only. It comes out squeaky clean I promise!

I can't put soap anywhere near my vagina. Undercarriage area is strictly water only. Anything else isn't worth the pain!

I’m honestly surprised how clean it feels

I use soap on my flaps, always have 🥴
A quick whizz over with Dove soap and rinse immediately.

I always wash me flaps but apparently I'm tough as old boots down there as it's never given me any issues

I always wash me flaps but apparently I'm tough as old boots down there as it's never given me any issues

As above, no soap is needed to wash the vulva (or vagina, & no 'intimate washes' etc.), water only

patient.info/sexual-health/vaginal-discharge-female-discharge/vaginal-thrush-yeast-infection

I've always washed with soap but after having my own issues lately, I might try the no soap method

Soap on bum (your apologies made me grin) but never near vag or vulva here. Some soap must run down through pubes from top of my body but I don’t apply it there or anywhere close. My mum (a gynea nurse) always taught me no soap anywhere near! I feel clean with water and don’t smell bad to my knowledge, I think there would be an issue with soap stripping natural oils and secretions that the area needs to be happy.

You can buy special shower gel for your "ladygarden".

I use that on the inner lips/vulva and then normal shower gel on outer lips/bum and crease where the top of legs meets crotch.

I just googled it and its called

"Femfresh Intimate Hygiene Daily Intimate Wash"

I can’t imagine not washing down there when I’m on my period.

It's self cleaning! Water is fine. Yes to soap for the hairy bits though.

@Maskless

I just googled it and its called

"Femfresh Intimate Hygiene Daily Intimate Wash"

You shouldn't use this. It's a gimmick and unnecessary

@GoodnightGrandma

I can’t imagine not washing down there when I’m on my period.

Who said anything about not washing?

I only use water, anything else gives me thrush

No soap or any other products go down there whatsoever! Shower gel to the pubis mons (the triangle of pubic hair visible when legs together) is all I will use. It absolutely doesn't need anything else. It will not smell beyond normal vaginal secretions. Warm water will flush away menstrual blood and faeces.

You def don’t need soap on the vulva! I do soap my butt hole though lol. Soap the pubes and thigh crease and just a good rub down with water - I do properly gently rub with fingers though not just soft rinse. Also stop using scented laundry detergent/fabric softener for underwear - that always gives me thrush as well.

i use shower gel on the everything apart from the actually inner vag i wouldnt feel clean otherwise x

I use soap on my vulva and labia just not internally. I would definitely smell if I didn't do it. I have issues with urge incontinence and my labia are fairly large. Never had issues with thrust etc. If i just use water I smell.

I wash my face with a flannel in the shower then wipe my bits with it. There are probably traces of facial cleanser but more importantly the action of wiping helps clean the area.

@SylvanasWindrunner

I always wash me flaps but apparently I'm tough as old boots down there as it's never given me any issues

Yes same here. I did have thrush once years ago but it wasn't caused by soap and went away pretty quickly with canesten and natural yoghurt.

I bathed in Dettol daily from the age of about 2 to my early teens, so I don't think soap would affect me!

Soap on hairy areas only.