When your gynecologist says to only wash with water

[instantfamily]

When I've had bacterial infections or thrush more than one gyn has told me to wash my fanjo with water only and not to use any soap "because it upsets the ph/destroys the vaginal flora" etc.

I was too slow stunned to ask: are they talking about the vulva or the vagina?? I would never douche or wash inside with anything, but how can you keep your vulva clean with water only? I mean how can the vulva "self-clean" sperm, blood, discharge?

[StillIRise]

Soap. Or gel. Even in the crevices.
Might experiment and try just water.

[derekthehamster]

I've never used anything other than water, and never had any infections or thrush.

[JollyJackOLantern]

I have mild excema. I use dermol (an aqueous non soap cream) when I wash my hands or when I shave my underarms. I use shampoo and conditioner on my head hair.

That's all. I don't smell :)

[firsttimemama]

Re using soap on your hands or other areas - you would use if it didn't cause irritation but if it was giving you skin problems you would stop using it - and manage with water only. Same as any other area - ie the fanjo in this case.

[Felicitywascold]

Water only.

I do not get all the scrubbing/soaping paranoia. It's a social construct- another way to make people feel bad about themselves.

Trust me, I hold down a job and I meet hundreds of teenagers every day. I wouldn't get any respect at all from them if I stank- at a distance I hasten to add. And my DH might have mentioned it if stank up close

[StaceymReadyForNumber3]

Ive had a few uti's in this pregnancy (brought on by antibiotics) and was advised to bath with no bubbles but with tea tree and lavender oil in it. The difference is amazing. As soon as an itch comes I jump in the bath, clean cotton knickers on after and no more itching!

I've never used soap or anything down there anyway. Water has always cleaned me fine.

[Sparklingbrook]

Sarahbanana I just saw some Shea Butter loo roll and my fanjo started itching. It is hideous stuff.

Also sitting on toilets with blue loos and rim blocks etc is not recommended-fumes up your fanjo.

[LookAtHerGo]

I'm another just water convert. Pre DD I always used soap as I thought I used to smell if I didn't. Had an episiotomy when DD was born so no soap allowed, so just rinsed with water. Didn't smell at all, so I stopped 'washing' with soap and just let water and nature take its course, on the odd occasion I've forgotten and used soap I get that weird I smell feeling now!

[noisytoys]

I once used scented tampons and I itched for about a month after

[Sparklingbrook]

Scented tampons. They are all kinds of wrong noisy.

[IvanaNap]

Femfresh is good, as someone upthread mentioned. Think it's half price in sainsburys too atm.

[noisytoys]

Tampax pearl. I didn't realise til it was time to use them they smell like old lady perfume

[Sparklingbrook]

Ooh no noisy. I can't use the Pearl sort, the applicator tries to grab stuff it shouldn't.

[tabbycat15]

I use ph balanced shower gel, I just would not feel clean otherwise. You can get Femfresh to wash if you are sensitive.
I shower in the morning as I feel so much cleaner as it wakes me up. I've wondered how people manage that shower/ bath at night especially if they has sex the night before. Surely you would smell if you didn't wash at all until the next evening.

[Sparklingbrook]

I shower morning and night.

[CoteDAzur]

It's not hard to find a pH-balanced shower gel to wash yourself with.

[CoteDAzur]

tabby x-posts.

[IWipeArses]

It may not be hard to find a ph balanced shower gel, but it isn't necessary.

[Mintyy]

"It may not be hard to find a ph balanced shower gel, but it isn't necessary."

... but its way nicer than just washing with plain water, or unperfumed soap, or aqueous cream.

imho

[CoteDAzur]

To each their own. I think it is.

[HiggsBoson]

I've always lathered up my eternal frontage. I would STINK if I merely swished with water, surely?

[HiggsBoson]

Oops!

*External

Mind you..can be eternal when in need of a trim

[CoteDAzur]

Let's put it this way, I would be much less friendly with DH if he only washed with water.

[MaBaya]

Women really really shouldnt wash with anything other than water. I thought all women knew this?! Wash your bum and even shampoo your pubes with soap, but dont let any soapy stuff near your actual vulva and vagina. It will not make you fresher. Just give it a really good swish with your hands and warm water. I shower in the morning and bathe in the evening like this and am fresh as a daisy. Soap gives you BV or means that even if you smell fresh initially, you'll be a bit fishy a few hours kater because your delicate bits do NOT need or like soap. Promise.