But there's more to douches and similar products than just maintaining a nice smell between your legs. So many of today's vag-centered hygiene goods are trying to sell us things that may actually not be good for our vaginas at all. In fact, information about what is and isn't good for your vagina is, for most of us, quite hard to come by. Dr. Melissa Holmes, OBGYN and founder of Girlology.com, told Seventeen that she sees plenty of women who barely have a basic understanding of what they've got down there, let alone how they should be caring for it. So it's no wonder a lot of us have trouble definitively knowing what belongs around and in our vagina, and what doesn't.
It's something we need to talk about, though, because what goes into your vag could potentially have serious consequences. I'm sure you've heard the oddball ER story of a woman admitting herself because she got something strange stuck inside of her. You probably rolled your eyes and thought, That could never be me — I know that a ice cream sundae/ vintage action figure/ souvenir of the Eiffel Tower doesn't belong in there. Yes, you are correct, but that's not the end of it — there's so much more info out there your vag would like to know.
As always, talk to your doctor or a qualified medical professional if you have any pressing questions. In the meantime, there are nine things that should never, ever come into contact with that vagina of yours.
1. Douches
There is no circumstance that calls for you cleaning your lady parts with a vaginal douche. Not only does your vagina not need to be "cleaned out" – douches also leave your pH levels out of whack and mess up that perfect, natural mixture of good bacteria in your vag, so you're at a much higher risk of getting a yeast infection if you use them. And there are more serious risks, too: using douches increase your likelihood of contracting pelvic inflammatory disease by a whopping 73 percent.
Even more serious is the possible connection between douching and ectopic pregnancies in women who are pregnant. Some studies suggest that consistent douching might even be linked to lowering fertility.
Your vagina does a really good job at keeping itself clean, but if you feel like she's not in her best shape, address other factors before you reach for the douche. Maybe your underwear is too tight, you're not eating a balanced enough diet, or you haven't been changing your tampon/pad often enough. No matter what your problem is, there's definitely a solution that doesn't involve douches.
2. Fruits & Vegetables
Laugh all you want, but fruits and veggies have been used in the act of sex long before we came around — and they still are, even if most people who are into it are scared to admit it. From grapefruits to carrots, there are all kinds of creative ways they can be incorporated in the bedroom. But while this may be funny to talk about, there are some important things to know if you're choosing to get down and dirty with fresh produce.
Dr. Raquel Dardik, Associate Professor Gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center, told SELF that not only do many fruits and veggies still carry some kind of pesticide on them, but that if you're using them for vaginal penetration, a piece could conceivably break off, get lodged in your vaginal canal and rot away. Yuck. Also, no matter how many times you've scrubbed that organic cucumber, it probably still carries some bacteria that your sweet vagina doesn't need to come into contact with. Those nasties could result in a bacterial imbalance, which leads to a yeast infection. So save the produce for external stimulation.
3. Rubber & Plastic Sex Toys
Simply using a dildo that's made of rubber won't hurt your vagina right off the bat. But over time, that squishy sex toy is susceptible to small cuts and other damages, which can eventually lead to microbes making themselves a cozy home in there; they then move from the toy to your jade garden, and you're slammed with an infection.
Plastic is no better. Many of the chemicals found in plastic — particularly trimethhyltin chloride, phenol, and toluene — have been banned from use in the manufacturing of children's toys because they've been dangerously correlated with hormonal changes and birth defects. And there are risks to adults, too: Laura Anne Stuart, owner of Milwaukee's boutique adult store called The Tool Shed, told Bitch Media that her customers have reported severe itching and burning from the cheap sex toys that are made with this material.
So how do you play safely? Instead of going for the cheap toys out there, invest in a phthalate-free toy that is made of silicone, good-quality plastic, or stainless steel. Additionally, make sure you're properly cleaning your sex toys after each use to avoid any bacteria build-up.
Try Nymph Phthalate-Free Vibrator, $29.99, Amazon
4. Body Art
Vajazzling isn't highly recommended by any doctors, and for good reason. Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, clinical associate professor of OBGYN at Yale University, told Shape that any body art, including and especially tattoos, generally cause severe irritation in the vaginal region. And the glue and substances used in vajazzling pose a unique threat — as OB/GYN Dr. Suzanne Merrill-Nach told Time, adding glue to freshly waxed skin could create a serious infection risk, by trapping bacteria.
5. Hair Dye
Your pubic hairs are much more sensitive
than you might think (way more sensitive than the hair on your head),
so dyeing them in the first place isn't a great idea. It's also worth
considering that any time you dye your hair, dye drips from the hair
onto the skin below, no matter what you do — and the smallest amount of
dye on your vulva or in your vagina could result in pain and irritation.
So steer clear of pubic hair dyes — your pubes are a lovely color just
the way they are.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a totally natural product. Therefore it is safe in the vagina, right? Nope. Dr. Dardik says this particular oil doesn't have a neutral pH level
(unlike coconut oil and olive oil), so it has the potential to cause
painful chemical burns in your vagina. So while it might smell heavenly,
keep it far away from your garden down under. You and your partner can
find way better substitutes for lube (ahem, coconut oil).Tea tree oil has been identified as an antifungal to yeast,
so some say it's good to use in the case of a yeast infection.
Apparently, some women will dip a tampon in tea tree oil and insert it
before bedtime.But the vag is a very sensitive area, and the risks of
irritation when using this method are great; think of the potential
burns and extreme discomfort you might feel as a result. Talk to your
OBGYN about other alternatives to taking care of a yeast infection.
7. Anything That Has Been In Or Around Your Butt
This includes condoms, sex toys, fingers, penises, toilet
paper, etc. When fecal bacteria from your anus climbs into your vag, the
pH levels become severely imbalanced, which could easily lead to a urinary tract infection
(UTI). No matter what it is, if it's been in your butt, thoroughly wash
it before you put it in your vag. Also, we can never be reminded of
this enough: wipe front to back when on you're on the toilet bowl.
8. An Electric Toothbrush
Women have been known to use these vaginally for their vibrating pleasure.
But while they might do the trick just fine on your clitoris (you know,
if you're running super low on options), don't explore what it's like
to use an electric toothbrush internally. Electric toothbrushes are
household products that weren't made to be inside your vag, and with all
the bacteria from your dirty mouth living on them, they could easily
cause irritation or, worse, fissures and infections in or on your vag.
9. Oil-Based Lubricants
Dr. Minkin strongly advises that you keep all oil-based lubes — including vaseline — out of the bedroom. They are difficult to wash out of the vagina,
and they're usually made of glycerin, which is essentially like
glucose/sugar. That means it turns your vag into a breeding ground for
bad bacteria, putting you at risk for a yeast infection.
To make matters worse, oil and latex don't get along, meaning it could
wreck the efficiency of your condom, landing you with an unwanted
pregnancy or an STI.
Instead, opt in for silicone- or water-based lubes,
which are much easier on your vag and won't interfere with condoms.
When in doubt about lube (or anything else), ring up your OBGYN or a
nurse who works at the office. They'll be able to give you a solid idea
of what's good and what's unworthy of your vagina's time.Try Sliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant, $12.75, Amazon
Want more women's health coverage? Check out Bustle's new podcast, Honestly Though, which tackles all the questions you're afraid to ask.
Images: Fotolia; Giphy
