Women, in general, face many challenges that must be overcome. Understanding the vagina is one of them. We know that women commonly get urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and a slew of not-so-fun issues down there. While we can't promise you will never have "issues," we can give a few tips to keep your vagina in check and stay healthy down there.

Tips to Stay Health "Down There"

Maintain overall whole-body health

Follow a nutritious diet, stay hydrated, and exercise. We've heard this before, but not only is it good for your overall health, your lady parts will appreciate it too! Tip: Sweat and water can cause yeast infections. Change out of your swimsuit or workout clothes immediately after your session. 

Get regular screenings

Don’t blow off your gynecologist. Did you know every year, we lose 14,000 women to cervical cancer? And although we have PAP screenings, which can detect abnormal cells, the number of deaths is staggering. You may be asking, what’s the reason? Unfortunately, many women aren’t getting regular screens, and when cancer is finally detected, it’s often too late. Therefore, stay current with health screenings and see your gynecologist for routine care. 

Skip the scented soaps

Experts don't recommend douching because it can disturb the pH balance in your vagina. We get it, you love your cucumber melon soap, but you know who doesn’t? Your vagina. As Dr. Conlen said, "The vagina is a self-cleaning organ. Using harsh chemicals or douching can disrupt its process. Warm water will do just fine; if you must, a gentle, unscented soap is okay to use."

Wash your underwear with unscented detergent

Just like experts recommend staying away from scented soaps, opt for a toxin-free unscented detergent.

Prevent UTIs from happening

You can incorporate plenty of preventative methods into your daily life to keep a UTI from happening. 

• Drink more water: Urinating frequently allows bacteria to be flushed before an infection can even begin
• Wipe from front to back
• Empty your bladder after intercourse (sorry, this may ruin the mood, but you’ll thank yourself later)
• Avoid potentially irritating feminine products 
• Take a look at your birth control: Diaphragms, condoms, or  spermicide-treated condoms can all lead to bacterial growth (again, sorry to be a party pooper)

If you feel a little uncomfortable down there, look at your symptoms to help identify what could be going on, like a UTI or a yeast infection. If unsure, pick up Checkable's at-home test strips for UTIs and vaginal pH levels. You can also help prevent a UTI by taking supplements like Checkable's Urinary Tract Balance with D-Mannose and cranberry powder for extra support. Taking a UTI supplement with D-mannose helps cleanse the urinary tract and maintain the health of the bladder lining. Additional ingredients like cranberry, hibiscus, and dandelion herb help create an ideal healing balance in the urinary tract.

Want more information on the ins and outs of women’s health? Listen to the Checkable podcast featuring Dr. Conlen.

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