Vaginal health: what you need to know 

Intimate conditions: what to look out for and why

Intimate health affects all women, but the subject still isn’t raised enough. Always remember you are not alone and your intimate health isn’t something you should feel embarrassed about. Most vaginal conditions such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are easy to resolve  whilst can cause discomfort if left untreated. That’s why it’s always best take special care of your intimate parts, and seek medical advice whenever you just feel something isn’t right. 

The reason why it’s best to take extra care of your intimate areas is that your vagina is a highly susceptible environment for microbes to develop. The pH of your vagina is different from the pH of the rest of your body, so even using a harsh soap can disturb the pH level. Then there’s your period, when poor hygiene can lead to bacterial development. Also, some bacteria can be transmitted during sex. 

Intimate infections can start with itching between your legs or an unusual, often smelly discharge. If you notice these symptoms, remember it’s never a good idea to keep quiet about it and hope it will just go away. Don’t stress as these conditions are common and usually easily treatable, but it’s always advisable to seek help from your GP when you notice anything unusual for the first time. 

If you don’t know your body well, you might struggle to notice if your vaginal discharge has changed. You might even think that typical discharge alone is already a sign of infection. However, typical (clear or white) discharge with a non-offensive smell is a normal sign which indicates that your vagina is healthy. Your body produces discharge so that your vagina can clean and lubricate itself. However, smelly discharge that changes color might indicate that you have an infection.