Featured In: Only My Health Health Vision
By: Dr. Dipesh Mahendra Waghmare, Medical Advisor Executive to Millennium Herbal Care
With increase in the risks associated with intimate douching with soap and shower gels, external intimate washes are considered as more appropriate for intimate health and hygiene. Particularly those intimate washes which are natural and free from harmful chemicals, that augments skin homeostasis and serve as a helpful add-on therapy in women with vaginal infections.
Numerous women use intimate washes every day as a part of their routine hygiene, but they are unaware that not all intimate wash products are the same, and many of them are made with biocides such as triclosan, chlorohexidine or other antiseptics and harsh surfactants like ammonium lauryl sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate.
These chemical based intimate washes have too high level of germ killing activity, so use of these products to cleanse intimate area not only kills the bad bacteria but also destroys the protective good bacteria (Lactobacilli) that supports the healthy vaginal microbiome and balances pH of the vagina.
Washing intimate area with chemical based intimate wash creates an imbalance in the delicate immunity protective microflora and may irritate sensitive intimate skin causing itching and dryness. Continuing this could increase in the risk of vaginal infections due to overgrowth of yeast and pathogenic bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis possibly leading to vaginal discharge, odour and discomfort.
So while selecting an intimate wash it is important to choose wisely. Select an intimate wash product with active natural ingredients and chemical free formulation that effectively inhibits the growth of bad bacteria and thereby decreasing the risk of infection without affecting the surrounding beneficial microflora.