The Best Products for Vaginal Health According to Dr. Jill Krapf

When all is well and good, our vaginas pretty much take care of themselves. But, let’s face it, the moment something’s up down there, vaginas can be a lot of work. 

Walk down any pharmacy and you’ll see plenty of feminine washes, creams, and lotions, all promising to whisk away discomfort and restore your vagina to its glory. 

However, not all feminine hygiene products are created equal. And more importantly, many of them can actually be more harmful than helpful for your vagina. 

That’s why we sat down with Evvy advisor and vulvovaginal specialist Dr. Jill Krapf, MD to get a rundown of the best products for vaginal health (along with some tips and tricks to keep your vagina healthy). 

Before you buy 

In the throws of intense vaginal discomfort or irritation, it can be tempting to try any treatment that can provide relief. But Dr. Krapf cautions you to speak to a healthcare provider to help you find the appropriate treatment.

“The caveat to using any of these products vaginally is to get a diagnosis first. See your doctor, get a diagnosis, and don’t treat without one,” explains Dr. Krapf. “And if you feel like you can’t get a diagnosis at your doctor, there are specialists available you can reach out to.” 

You can find these specialists through: 

• International Society for the Study of Women’s Health (ISSWSH)
• International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
• North American Menopause Society 
• National Vulvodynia Association
• Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) 
• Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders

Vaginal infection

For patients who are diagnosed with a vaginal infection, defined as an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vaginal microbiome. 

1. Evvy’s Vaginal Microbiome Test*

“I always welcome it when my patients bring their Evvy results. It helps me see a more complete picture of what is contributing to their symptoms,” says Dr. Krapf. “Many of my patients want to test during and after treatment to see their progress and I like that Evvy makes this easy. In addition, we need so much more research on the vaginal microbiota and I love that this is a part of Evvy’s mission.”

2. Good Clean Love Flourish Vaginal Care System* 

“This is specifically for people diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis or aerobic vaginitis. This has the Lactobacillus crispatus vaginal suppositories which I like for certain patients. It also includes a pH-balancing vaginal gel that you have to start slowly with and work up to, but it can work pretty well. Finally, it has the external body wash.”‍

3. Natureland vaginal pH strips

“Some people like to use pH tests to know what’s going on.”

4. Vaginal applicators 

Disposable applicators can be used to deliver treatment in the form of a cream or suppository, common with compounded medications or boric acid. “It’s important not to reuse these applicators for hygiene purposes, so invest in these if you’re going to need to deliver your treatment through an applicator,” Dr. Krapf notes. 

Lubricants + Condoms

Sex is one of the biggest triggers for vaginal infections and using protection is one of the best ways to decrease the risk of disrupting your natural pH balance. But what if the protection you’re using is irritating your vulva or vagina? Here are a few super-sensitive products to keep your microbiome safe in the bedroom: ‍

5. Sustain Natural Condoms 

These condoms are free from parabens, nitrosamines, and fragrances, reducing the risk of irritation.

6. Good Clean Love BioNude Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant 

Hypo-allergenic, water-based lube. 

Vulvar moisturizers 

Your vulva is skin and, like any other part of your body, can get dry from time to time, especially if you have a vulvar condition. These moisturizers are Dr. Krapf-approved for moisturizing your external genitals, just remember to always check the ingredients first. 

7. CeraVe Healing Ointment

A gentle, nourishing, fragrance-free moisturizer at an affordable price point.

8. SweetSpot Labs*

Dr. Krapf is an advisor for SweetSpot Labs, a company focused on elevating vulvar skin care. This is a good moisturizer at a higher price point. 

Vaginal moisturizers

During menopause, estrogen levels decrease. This can lead to vaginal dryness because estrogen keeps your vaginal mucosa thick, lubricated, and elastic. Vaginal moisturizers can help lubricate the area to relieve discomfort. 

9. Carlson Key-E suppositories 

“These are vaginal moisturizers for post-menopause.”  

Sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin down there, many products that you use outside of the vagina (like shampoo, soap, toilet paper, laundry detergent, body wash, etc.) can be an irritant. 

These whole-body and hair products are designed to be safe for even the most sensitive skin, including those with lichen sclerosus. 

10. Vanicream shampoo & conditioner

“Sometimes shampoo and conditioner can irritate the vulvovaginal area with its rundown. So you can either flip your hair over and wash your hair that way. Or you can use something like Vanicream shampoo which has fewer irritants in it.” 

11. Seventh Generation toilet paper 

“I like Seventh Generation because it tends to have fewer other ingredients in it. There’s also bamboo toilet paper which is more pricy but can be helpful if you have a problem.” 

12. CeraVe body wash for dry skin 

“I really like this product.”

Menstrual care 

Hormonal fluctuations like the menstrual cycle affect your vaginal microbiome! And if you have a sensitive vulva and/or vagina that’s prone to infection, some people find it helpful to use period products with fewer ingredients in them because they find them less irritating. 

13. Natracare pads 

Organic cotton pads. 

14. Seventh Generation tampons 

Organic cotton tampons. 

Good reads 

Most people’s sex ed experience in high school is pretty lackluster, focusing almost entirely on the reproductive parts of genitals like the ovaries and uterus — if they even receive sex ed at all. A lot of people with vaginas feel completely lost when it comes to anatomy and pleasure.

Luckily, there are some great reads by vulvovaginal specialists and experts in women’s sexual well-being to give us the supplementary sex ed we all need. 

15. When Sex Hurts

Dr. Krapf’s book on pelvic pain combines research and stories to take an in-depth look at the causes of and treatments for pelvic pain along with how to get the best kind of help when you need it. You can pre-order Dr. Krapf’s book on pelvic pain to receive a copy when it’s published in January. 

16. Come as You Are 

Get a better understanding of how women’s sexuality works based on brain science and research, in Dr. Emily Nagoski, PhD’s best-selling book.   

Nice to haves 

Here are a few items to browse and buy when you feel like your vagina or vulva could use a little TLC or tender loving care.  

17. Perineal cold packs 

“If someone has an itch-scratch-itch cycle like Lichen Simplex Chronicus or really any itch. Ice is a natural way to help with itch. This cold pack comes with a nice sleeve, which I like.”

18. Sitz bath 

“The cool thing about this sitz bath is that it’s foldable and it compresses so you can travel with it.” 

19. Perineal lavette irrigation bottles

“Peri bottles can be helpful and they’re cheap. Because it's naturally acidic, sometimes urine can irritate the genital area. You fill the peri bottle with warm or cold water and squirt some water while you pee. This dilutes the urine to help make things feel better. You can also use them with a bowel movement, so you can pat instead of aggressively rubbing for wiping. It’s a great alternative to wipes which can be drying.” 

20. Water Wipes 

“I don’t like any wipes but water wipes are okay because they don’t have all the other ingredients — just water!”

21. Mirror 

“This is a rotating mirror that has magnification. I like it because you can put it on the floor and it's rectangular instead of circular, so you can see everything.” 

While all these products are great, it’s important to remember that everybody is different and there’s no silver bullet for vaginal infections and vulvar discomfort. One of the best things you can do is find a doctor or specialist you trust and get to know how your vaginal microbiome changes over time (you can do this with an Evvy test). That way, you can make informed decisions about which products you may want to use and when.

FAQ

What is the best thing to use for feminine hygiene?

The best approach to feminine hygiene starts with understanding that the vagina is self-cleaning. It naturally maintains a healthy pH balance and stays clean by producing vaginal discharge, so there's no need for any internal cleansing or douching, which can disrupt this balance and lead to infections. For external hygiene, when cleaning the vulva — the external part of the genital area — it's sufficient to use warm water and a gentle, unscented soap. Avoid harsh feminine washes, perfumes, or scented products, as these can cause irritation or disrupt the delicate environment. Regular washing with water, especially after activities like exercise, is usually all that's needed to keep the vulva clean.

Do gynecologists recommend feminine wash?

Gynecologists generally don't recommend using a feminine wash, unless it's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Even if they don't go inside the vagina, intimate washes can irritate the vulvar skin and affect healthy pH levels. That said, you don't need to buy products to clean your vulva. Washing with warm water under the shower is all you need. If you'd rather use a soap to feel clean, Dr. Krapf recommends choosing something made for sensitive skin.