To ask how you wash your 'bits'

[NotTheBelleoftheBall]

I'm not using the word 'bits' as some vague twee-ery to describe my vulva, I mean, everything under your knickers.

But I've got to 38 years old and suddenly wonder if the way I do it is the established norm (spurred on by recently hearing about douches and various online comments about how soap should never do much as touch your undercarriage).

For me: I always shower (bath about one a year), wet whole area (externally) wash external area with mild soap (including mons pubis, groins and bum crack), then using hand held part of shower rinse including rinsing inside a bit (vulva not vagina). So although I don't actively soap my vulva I use mildly soapy water to cleanse it. Then rinse well.

So far it's worked for me, my 'bits' are not prone to infection, but am I doing it all wrong? Should I be avoiding any water/vulva contact at all?

I get the cleaner to do it. That's reasonable isn't it?

Ajax and steel wool mostly. For birthdays and special occasions I cartwheel through the car wash.

Ok. Going against MN wisdom here but I always wash inside "that" area with soap (always Simple unscented) and the hairs on top... Have done this for years and no problems. Oh and used fixed shower head jet.

I squat over a bowl of hot water during a full moon, the rest of the time use a handful of nettles.

Not with Original Source Mint and Tea Tree shower gel, that's for sure!

If you have got to 38 and nothing terrible has happened then I guess everything is ok.

Bucket of water and a squeegee, is that not how everyone does it?

My preferred method is the pressure washer

But she's asking on an anonymous forum, that is the place to ask questions you can't ask in real life. It's no odder than the how do you wipe thread that has happened a few times.

I use shower gel on all the bits hair would grow on. Nothing on the inside, just water between labia. No flannel/ sponge just my hand. I have a detachable shower head but have never take it off the wall and haven't ever considered aiming it up my bits .

If anyone gets off on that then so be it!

Urgh at the 'how do you wipe' threads. Who cares?

Zoflora obvs

at get the cleaner to do it

I lie on the roof when dh puts the car through the carwash once a week. Gets a good buff and polish then too. Jobs a good 'un.

I find the insertion of a toilet brush gets things nice and clean, insert, twizzle about and bobs your grandma!

Sherlock I know

And now - TO NAME CHANGE!

If you know me, let's pretend this never happened!

Douches ? Isn't that a good way to get yourself a dose of thrush? I thought they went out with the 1950s.

What have you read OP, that makes you wonder if you should be using such a thing?

WhereYou on a thread on here a few weeks ago, I was quite surprised they were a thing (and apparently you can get a bottle to do then with at the chemist!).

I think plenty of people may genuinely have an issue with this.
A friend had the worst recurrent thrush and it turned out she never used soap and never dried herself.
The GP eventually pointed out that leaving her bits damp and using synthetic pants was an perfect climate for a fungal infection. And it soon stopped.
Sorry you are having aggro OP!

Well not drying yourself is a bit weird. As is wearing man made fibre pants.

I'm an environmentalist so vinegar and baking soda using a microfiber cloth. Anything else kills the fishes.

Nerf gun.

Fire it up and aim.

I give mine a quick blast with the hairdryer to dry it off.