“Women should avoid using intimate wipes and other feminine hygiene products because the fragrances and preservatives in these products are not good for your vagina,” suggests Dr Seema Jain, associate director, obstetrics and gynaecology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi.
In short, yes! If it helps you feel more clean and fresh, that is certainly okay. There are also wipes made for women, sometimes referred to as feminine hygiene wipes but there's nothing wrong with using baby wipes. If they are safe and gentle enough for a baby, they should be fine for a teenager or woman.
First thing's first: You don't necessarily need wipes to keep your vulva and vagina clean. As you may already know, the vagina is a self-cleaning organ, and inserting any kind of cleansing product could mess with its pH balance, Dr. Jennifer Conti, an ob-gyn and a Modern Fertility medical adviser, tells Glamour.
Yes, our Body Wipes are made for sensitive skin, and can be used to wipe every part of the body (other than Down There! - The Body Wipes have a different pH than Down There, and will throw things out of whack.
Always wipe from front to back in order to keep from spreading bacteria that can cause an infection, and don't forget the importance of good hand washing. This remains true even if you are a person who can't reach around behind your back. If the skin at your anus is irritated, try using wet wipes.
However, in the worst case scenario, feminine wipes (and baby wipes) could be associated with a variety of issues: they can cause allergic reactions, a burning feeling, yeast infection, and they can even contribute to urinary tract infections. Not to mention, wet wipes could clog toilets if you flush them.
According to Dr. Nitu Bajekal, a gynecologist with over 35 years of experience, ingredients in feminine wipes disturb the vagina's normal healthy bacteria and may reduce the bacteria needed to fight off yeast growth. And yeast overgrowth will throw off your vagina's pH and promote yeast infections.
Feminine wipes are cleansing cloths meant to clean the vaginal area during menstruation, or for everyday use when freshness and odor are a concern.
Are Wet Wipes Better Than Toilet Paper? From a hygiene perspective, wet wipes win. For a more effective clean, wet wipes win hands down. For a more soothing and gentle cleansing experience, we'll have to go with wet wipes again.
pH balancing wipes or feminine wipes are used to clean the vaginal area. Women can use these during menstruation or use them everyday to prevent infections and odor.
If you tend to over wipe the vagina, it irritates the skin. Sometimes, it may even result in either inflammation or infection. And you should only use unscented wipes to clean the vagina after urinating. The scented wipes can increase the chances of irritation and inflammation of the skin of vulva and vagina.
Wet underwear after a workout, a wet bathing suit, any wet clothes for too long can lead to one of the most irritating health issues a woman can experience — a vaginal yeast infection. It's an unpleasant, but very common fungal infection that just about every woman will experience at some point.
Summer's Eve Feminine Cleansing Cloths are hypoallergenic, and safe and gentle enough to use every day. Free from dyes and parabens, Summer's Eve Feminine Cleansing Cloths are created for your most intimate areas to gently cleanse away the bacteria that can cause odor.
Myth: Hygiene habits and clothing fit contribute to UTIs
But UTIs are not caused by how you wipe in the bathroom, by tampon use or by failing to empty your bladder after sexual intercourse. They're also not caused by wearing tight clothes. “A lot of women express concern about these,” said Dr. Dielubanza.
Should you wipe standing up? In terms of cleanliness, it's a bit of a matter of personal preference. However you feel cleanest is likely ideal, though it's best to be thorough, no matter how exactly you choose to go about it.
The reason is that you'll be moving feces away from your more delicate parts, lowering the risk of infection. This prevents the transmission of bacteria and goes a long way in preventing UTIs or an itchy, uncomfortable bum.
Even if you're not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals.
As a rule, showers are better than baths when you're in the process of treating a yeast infection. If you do take a sitz bath with Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, boric acid, or any other home remedy while you're treating your yeast infection, don't soak for more than 10 minutes at a time.
You see, when you don't clean yourself down there after peeing, the urine droplets stuck in your pubes get transferred to your underwear. This gives rise to a foul odour. Moreover, it also gives birth to bacteria in your underwear, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI).
What causes a lower urinary tract infection? Bubblebaths, perfumed soap, deodorant sprays, baby wipes and wet pants or pads may also irritate the urethra.
Use wet wipes
Wet wipes can help you avoid irritation from dry toilet paper. Even wet toilet paper can work in a pinch. Look for products that are unscented and for sensitive skin. Otherwise, these wipes could cause irritation and actually worsen your symptoms.