Many people use feminine hygiene products like vaginal washes, wipes, and douches thinking they’re looking after their vaginal health. But do feminine hygiene products actually help, or are they doing more harm than good?

The truth is, you don't need special soaps or cleaners to clean your vagina or vulva — despite what decades of sexist advertising may have led you to believe. Feminine hygiene products aren’t only unnecessary, but they could also harm your vaginal health. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to practice proper intimate hygiene, and the potential side effects of using feminine wash and douches.

You don’t need to wash your vagina

By now, we hope you’ve heard the great news that vaginas are self-cleaning. That’s because your vagina produces discharge to flush out bad bacteria and dead cells, and the healthy bacteria that dominate the vaginal microbiome — like Lactobacilli — keep your vaginal pH acidic to prevent infections. 

The vagina is one of those organs that work best when you leave it alone (talk about low maintenance). Nevertheless, many of us have been taught that vaginas are gross, dirty, and need to be cleaned with douches. *Buzzer noise* Wrong! 

What are the side effects of using feminine wash?

At best, using a feminine wash is an ineffective waste of money. At worst, they could be potentially harmful to your vaginal health.

Feminine washes often include alcohols or sulfates, which can strip away natural moisture. The sensitive skin around the vulva is more susceptible to dryness and irritation, and products that contain harsh cleansers or fragrances can cause inflammation (known as vulvitis). Your vulva also has a microbiome of its own (fun fact: all skin has a microbiome). Although it hasn’t been studied as much as the vaginal microbiome, using harsh cleansers to wash your vulva could disrupt the vulvar ecosystem. 

A 2018 paper published in the journal BMC Women's Health found that using feminine hygiene products can even increase your risk of certain infections. Canadian researchers surveyed 1,435 women about their intimate hygiene practices and found that the use of feminine washes and wipes was linked to an increased risk of bacterial infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). 

Vaginal douching is even worse. Douching can disrupt your vaginal microbiome, and research shows that it can put you at an increased risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and even pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). 

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How to clean your vulva 

Although the words “vagina” and “vulva” are often used interchangeably, they’re two separate body parts and have different needs. 

The vagina is the internal muscle that connects your cervix to the vaginal opening. The vulva is the outside genitalia made up of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening. 

Your vulva is your body’s first line of defense to protect your genital tract from infection. Unlike the vagina, your vulva should be washed regularly. But you still don’t need any harsh soaps, wipes, or deodorant sprays to keep your vulva clean. Warm water will do. If you really, really want to use soap then opt for a fragrance-free and hypoallergenic option. 

And while we're on the subject of intimate hygiene, pubic hair removal is not necessary to be "clean" down there! Whether you want to go bare or rock a full bush is a matter of preference, but you're not less hygienic if you choose not to remove your pubes.

But what about the smell? 

It’s normal for your vagina, vulva, and vaginal discharge to have an odor. The feminine hygiene industry works hard to convince you otherwise to sell products that promise to keep you “fresh” and “clean”, but your vagina is an organ, not an Outkast song.

Healthy vaginas can have a range of different smells (including barely any smell at all). However, there are specific smells that can act as an indicator of infection — such as a fishy smell for bacterial vaginosis or a yeasty, bread-like smell for yeast infections. It's also worth pointing out that intimate hygiene products often mask your natural odor, making it harder to recognize when something isn't quite right.

If you’re worried about a change in the way your vagina smells and notice other symptom changes such as unusual vaginal discharge, burning, or itching, it could be a sign of an infection. But in that case, it is important to reach out to your healthcare provider — as well as perhaps try an Evvy Vaginal Health Test — not reach for the Vagisil! 

How to look after your vaginal health

Your immune system and vaginal microbiome work overtime to maintain your vaginal and reproductive health. Here are some of the most important things you can do to help them out: 

  • Don’t douche and avoid vaginal washes or wipes (especially if they’re scented)
  • Practice safe sex and choose vaginal microbiome-friendly lube
  • Get regular STI check-ups
  • Practice good vaginal hygiene (wiping front to back when you go to the bathroom, changing underwear daily, not leaving period products over the recommended time frame)
  • Use vagina-friendly period products (unscented options with clean ingredients are best) 
  • Monitor your vaginal microbiome.

The bottom line

At best, feminine hygiene products are an unnecessary waste of money that capitalize on the cultural assumption that vaginas are unclean. At worst, long-term use of vaginal washes, wipes, and douches could lead to vaginal irritation and even vaginal dysbiosis. 

It takes a lot to unlearn years of inadequate sex ed and sexist marketing — so be gentle with yourself as you navigate the world of vaginal health products. Also, if you feel the need to use feminine hygiene products (whether a matter of personal preference, religious practices, or cultural norms), we understand. Just remember that vaginas are a lot smarter than we give them credit for and don’t need any external help to be kept “clean”!

FAQ

Is it healthy to use feminine wash every day?

It’s neither healthy nor unhealthy — but it’s definitely unnecessary. There’s no need to use feminine washes to clean your vulva (all you need is water), and many feminine hygiene products on the market can harm your vulvovaginal health (especially with everyday use). If you want to use soap to clean your vulva, look for something unscented and hypoallergenic.

Can feminine wash go inside?

No, you should never insert feminine washes inside your vagina — even when they're marketed as "vaginal washes". A healthy vagina produces vaginal discharge to clean itself and doesn't need to be cleaned with special cleansers, douches, and sprays. Using vaginal washes can alter the vaginal pH (yes, even if it says they're "ph-balancing" on the label) and flush out healthy bacteria. Research has shown time and again that using such products can harm your reproductive health and increase your risk of developing infections like bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even contracting sexually transmitted infections. If you do choose to use feminine wash, make sure you only use it on your vulva.