Tips to prevent vaginal complaints:
- Do not use vaginal showers, including those containing lactic acid. A wealth of research has shown that vaginal showers actually cause or perpetuate bacterial vaginosis. This is because the good Lactobacilli are flushed out of the vaginal environment. A healthy vagina has a “self-cleaning ability.”
- Do not use yogurt tampons; it is a long-standing fable that this works. Yogurt contains sugars, among other things, and these are actually a good breeding ground for infections.
- Do not use disinfectant or intimate sprays.
- Wash the outside of the vagina with lukewarm water only.
- Limit wearing panty liners; they are often made of non-breathable material.
- Wear cotton underwear. Synthetic material will fester.
- Do not wear a thong; this allows bacteria from the intestinal tract to enter the vagina easily.
- Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
- Change tampons and pads sooner, no later than within 4 hours, and maintain good hygiene during menstruation.
- If another condition requires regular antibiotic use, use Normaflor vaginal tablets during the course of treatment.
- Semen makes the vagina less acidic. With recurrent bacterial vaginosis and frequent intercourse, consider using a condom.
- Sex toys used vaginally can cause bacterial vaginosis or vaginal candida infection.
