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  • VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION
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  • BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
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  • WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTRE
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    • What Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection (VYI)?
    • What Is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
    • What Is Menopause?
    • What Is the Menstrual Cycle?
    • What Is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?
    • What Is Cystitis?
    • What Is Vaginal Dryness?
    • How to Properly Clean Your Intimate Area
  • CANESTEN® PRODUCTS
    • VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION PRODUCTS
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      • Canesten® Combi 3 Days ComforTAB® + External Cream With NEW CanesComfort® applicator
      • CanesOral® Combi 1 Day
      • CanesOral® Single Capsule
      • Canesten® Combi 1 Day Internal + External Creams
      • Canesten® 1 Day Internal Cream 10% Vaginal Treatment
      • Canesten® 3 Day Internal Cream 2% Vaginal Treatments
      • Canesten® 6 Day Internal Cream 1% Vaginal Treatments
      • Canesten® External Cream 1%
      • Canesten® Extra Strength External Cream 2%
    • BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS PRODUCTS
      • NEW CanesBalance® Treatment - Soft Vaginal Tablets​
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    • INTIMATE HYGIENE PRODUCTS
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  1. Home
  2. Women's Health Centre
  3. How to Properly Clean Your Intimate Area
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How to Properly Clean Your Intimate Area

Learn about intimate hygiene, why it is important and how to properly clean your intimate area after sex.

Intimate Hygiene

Many women don’t consider intimate hygiene as separate from their regular hygiene routine. However, proper intimate hygiene requires different habits and it’s important because your intimate area is delicate and can be prone to infection.

Your vagina has an acidic pH that helps to keep good bacteria (such as lactobacilli) healthy and bad bacteria in check. If you follow proper intimate hygiene habits, you can avoid upsetting this pH balance and therefore help to avoid vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Is It OK to Use Normal Soap in My Intimate Area?

Your intimate area is unique. If you use soaps or products that you would normally use on the rest of your body, wash internally (using vaginal douches) or over-wash, you could actually cause or aggravate issues such as odour, dryness or recurrent infections by upsetting the pH balance of your vagina and intimate area.

Your vagina naturally cleans itself with an internal lubricant so it’s best to simply wash yourself daily, with warm water and gentle products, such as CanesFresh®.

Always wash and dry yourself properly, especially after exercising. After swimming or working out, make sure you change your underwear too, so you stay fresh and clean.

Is Discharge Normal?

It’s completely normal for you to produce clear or white discharge. The glands in your cervix produce a natural lubricant that keeps your vagina moist. This natural lubricant travels down your vagina, helping to maintain a clean and healthy environment. Simply put, discharge is your vagina’s natural way of cleaning itself and it is a sign you have a healthy vagina.

However, your discharge should not be smelly or make you itchy or sore. Additionally, if it changes colour it could be a sign you have an infection and you may need to see your doctor. Everyone is different, so you may produce more or less discharge than other women. You may also produce different amounts of discharge depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. For example, before your period you may get more discharge than normal and it may be thicker in consistency.

What Should I Do After Sex?

Make sure that you empty your bladder after having sex. Taking this precaution will help to remove any bacteria that might have spread into your urethra (the tube that connects your bladder to just above your vaginal opening) in order to help prevent cystitis. And remember — when you go to the toilet, ensure you wipe from front to back in order to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Learn More about Women's Intimate Health

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What Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Learn what a vaginal yeast infection is and what common symptoms can help identify it. You can also find out how you can treat a yeast infection and how you can help prevent it from recurring.

LEARN MORE
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What Is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?

Learn what BV is and what bacterial vaginosis symptoms are. You can find out who is more prone to getting this infection and what the differences between a vaginal yeast infection and BV are.

LEARN MORE
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What Is Menopause?
 

Learn about menopause, including symptoms and how to treat them.

LEARN MORE
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What Is the Menstrual Cycle?
 

Learn more about your menstrual cycle, including your periods.

LEARN MORE
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What Is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?

Learn what PMS is, how to treat and prevent PMS, and when you should see a doctor about your PMS symptoms.

LEARN MORE
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What Is Cystitis?
 

Learn about the causes and symptoms of cystitis, plus how to prevent it.

LEARN MORE
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What Is Vaginal Dryness?
 

Learn what vaginal dryness is, including symptoms and prevention.

LEARN MORE
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How to Properly Clean Your Intimate Area

Learn about hygiene in your intimate area.

LEARN MORE
  • VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION
    • BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
    • INTIMATE HYGIENE
  • WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTRE
    • What Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection (VYI)?
    • What Is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
    • What Is Menopause?
    • What Is the Menstrual Cycle?
    • What Is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?
    • What Is Cystitis?
    • What Is Vaginal Dryness?
    • How to Properly Clean Your Intimate Area?
  • CANESTEN® PRODUCTS
    • About Canesten®
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us

 

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© 2021 Bayer Inc.

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To be sure this product is suitable for you, always read and follow the label.

First-time sufferers of Vaginal Yeast Infections or Bacterial Vaginosis, see your doctor. Canesten® and CanesOral® cure most vaginal yeast infections.

IMPORTANT NOTE This website is intended for marketing educational purposes only and is in no way intended to substitute for professional medical advice, to contradict medical advice given, or for medical care of any kind. As with any medication, speak to your doctor before using. Please review the Conditions of Use before using this website. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to be bound by the Conditions of Use.

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