Personal hygiene is the practice of keeping the body well-groomed and clean. The requirements for maintaining hygiene are somewhat different for women and men. Women's personal hygiene is more complex in that special care must be taken to prevent problems associated with the menstrual period, urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Understanding the nature of women's personal hygiene problems allows you to detect symptoms sooner and maintain optimal cleanliness.
Types
While men and women share many of the same hygiene practices, certain aspects pertain to women only. Hygiene problems that are unique to women involve dealing with menstruation, vaginal odor, yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Issues affecting both men and women include maintaining good oral hygiene, preventing body odor and keeping the hair and nails clean and well-groomed.
Causes
The main cause of women's personal hygiene problems is ignorance of the methods required to maintain cleanliness. A person's cultural traditions, upbringing and personal habits also play a role in determining overall hygiene standards.
Health-related conditions like heavy perspiration and menstrual bleeding can increase odor and other problems. Failure to wash underwear and change pads and tampons regularly may also affect a woman's hygiene.
Complications
While hygiene is an important part of maintaining beauty and appearance, it is also vital for preventing illnesses of all kinds. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is one of the main complications associated with improper use of feminine hygiene products. According to Mayo Clinic, failure to change tampons every eight hours is among the leading causes of toxic shock syndrome--a potentially lethal bacterial infection. While the exact cause isn't known, the condition is thought to stem from bacterial proliferation in super-absorbent tampons, which can scratch the vaginal walls and allow pathogens to enter.
Other complications of poor hygiene include tooth decay and gum disease, body odor, increased acne breakouts and a tendency to contract contagious illnesses like influenza and the common cold.
Prevention/Solution
Awareness about the correct methods for maintaining cleanliness is the best way to prevent problems. Bathe at least three times per week, remembering to thoroughly wash the vagina and surrounding areas. Use mild soap and water to wash the genital area, and change pads, tampons and other feminine hygiene products every 8 hours. Wear cotton underwear with a white crotch to prevent urinary tract infection, and remove wet clothes and swimwear promptly. If you're prone to urinary tract infections, it may be helpful to wash the vaginal area immediately after sex.
Many feminine hygiene products contain harsh dyes and perfumes that can irritate the vagina and cause infection. To reduce these risks, choose unscented pads, pantie liners and tampons.
Misconceptions
With the wide array of douches and scented feminine hygiene products on the market today, many women believe that these products are required for optimal cleanliness. According to the Oxford Journals, the vagina contains millions of beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli, which are needed to protect against infection. Using harsh soaps, douches and perfumes on the vaginal tissue can destroy these bacteria, increasing the risk for infection.
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