10 feminine hygiene tips your parents forgot to mention

Feminine hygiene tips

We’re not born with a perfect knowledge of how to have good feminine hygiene; we mostly learn it from those around us, resulting in varying (and sometimes confusing!) opinions. Whether you’re growing up and starting to learn about your own body, or you’re wondering how to talk to your daughter about feminine care, these are some of our favourite feminine hygiene tips to make sure you’ve got all bases covered.

Feminine care: wipe properly

Wiping front to back is a feminine-care rule most of us know well, but did your parents ever explain exactly why it’s an important part of personal hygiene for women? Not wiping properly when you use the toilet can leave germs in the wrong place, which can lead to uncomfortable infections. When it’s your turn to pass on this advice, encourage toddlers to wipe from front to back as soon as they start potty training, so they develop good habits right from the beginning

Take care down there with a toilet paper that is soft, absorbent and strong, like Cushelle Ultra Quilted. With plump cushions in every sheet, it’s been rated best for softness.

You are what you eat (and drink)

It might come as a surprise, but eating well is a key aspect of knowing how to have good feminine hygiene. Eating a lot of sugar has been associated with yeast infections, and eating natural yoghurt can help to treat and prevent them. And, as with just about everything, it’s always wise to drink plenty of water, especially when it comes to preventing urinary tract infections.

Be period-proud 

There’s no denying that periods can be uncomfortable, but there’s nothing dirty, unhygienic or embarrassing about having your period. Good feminine hygiene will help you feel clean, comfortable and confident, so keep your bathroom kitted out with your favourite period products and highly absorbent Cushelle toilet paper for a clean feeling, even at that time of the month.

Discharge is normal and healthy

It’s easy to feel embarrassed when you start to notice discharge. But don’t worry: it’s just your body’s natural feminine-care system at work. However, if it starts to smell unpleasant or changes in texture or colour, it’s time to see your doctor for some advice. 

Feminine hygiene tips for UTIs

Examining your urine after you’ve been to the loo might not be the most appealing of feminine hygiene tips, but it could help you spot a urinary tract infection (UTI) early. Urine that has a cloudy appearance and smells stronger than usual sometimes indicates a UTI. Drink lots of water, and if it becomes painful when you urinate, seek advice from your doctor. 

Let yourself breathe

We all love a breath of fresh air, and ‘down there’ is no different. Tight, synthetic clothes can cause warm, moist conditions (yeast infections’ favourite environment), so try sleeping in loose, cotton pajamas to encourage air circulation and keep the area dry, cool and healthy while you sleep. 

Wash with clean water

Using aggressive soaps can upset the balance of the helpful bacteria that keep you healthy, causing infections and discomfort. Whenever possible, wash with just clean water. If you do want to use soap, choose an unscented feminine-care product, and rinse very well.

Be prepared

All the science in the world can’t give you an up-to-the-minute prediction of whether today is the wrong day to wear light-coloured jeans. Try to keep a pad (or whatever you like to use) with you at all times. Caught short? Ask a friend. Most feminine hygiene products recommend changing or emptying every four hours or so – or, if you have a heavy flow, as soon as you notice that it’s time.

Talk about feminine hygiene

The last of our feminine hygiene tips is for readers of every age. We’re not born knowing how to have good feminine hygiene; it’s something we learn from our parents, siblings, friends and teachers. That’s why needing feminine hygiene advice is nothing to be ashamed of. Be honest about what you do and don’t know, and learn more from your family, doctor or trusted sites on the internet. If you can talk openly about feminine care, others around you will find it easier to do the same. 

Good personal hygiene isn’t instinctive; it’s a bunch of learned rules that become subconscious habits over time. Having a simple list of everyday steps to remember can help to develop these habits, so why not take a look at our 6 personal hygiene rules for kids to follow – or, you could even keep a list of hygiene rules in the toilet?


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