What exactly counts as proper feminine hygiene?

Yeah... honestly, tampons are basically just breeding grounds for bacteria!!!

I have no idea why he would even suggest that to you. Unless you’re actually dealing with specific issues down there, it’s none of his business. 🤷

mistygull21 said:What on earth is sage??

Sage—or more accurately, Salvia. If you want a real remedy, try using it as a gargle for your throat and mouth; the results are nothing short of spectacular. You can then go ahead and convince yourself that the topical treatments work just as well. Personally, I take a little bit of a "hands-on" approach by applying some to my nether regions after rinsing. I use those disposable applicators you find at CVS. It’s truly an experience; you really ought to try it.

No offense intended, but I’m genuinely struggling to wrap my head around this: :confused:
What is the actual purpose of wearing pads EVERY SINGLE DAY?? I mean, for what? What exactly is leaking out of you on a daily basis (outside of when you're actually on your period or ovulating)???

😢

Grace Walker13 said:look, no offense, but I just don't get this :confused:
Why on earth are you using liners EVERY SINGLE DAY?? Seriously, what for? What exactly is leaking out of you daily (besides during your period or ovulation)???

Honestly, I have no clue. Whether something was actually leaking or not, I just wear them every day. I started a few years back when my discharge got a bit heavier, and I haven't stopped since. It never even crossed my mind that it wouldn't be healthy.😢🙄

Honestly, you’re totally supposed to wash up after sex, but I don't know, I just can't be bothered right now! 🙄

I rely on Carefree intimate wash and daily liners for my hygiene routine. I’ve been doing this for years now—and yeah, I know it isn't exactly "ideal"—but I just can't seem to break the habit. I’m trying to cut back, at least when I'm home, but if I'm heading out, they're a non-negotiable part of my kit; they just make me feel more secure. A friend of mine was told by her gynecologist that she should be using a specific intimate gel for the vulva area. Honestly, doctors seem to be split on the whole thing. So, who's actually right here? To add to the confusion, I've never really had issues before, but I recently dealt with an infection and was prescribed some vaginal suppositories—who knows what triggered it. The bottom line is, I simply can't bring myself to wash with just warm water.

So, I’ve been sticking to Nivea intima Sensitive, but honestly, I make sure not to overdo it—never more than once a day. I’ve also cut way back on using daily liners and tampons whenever possible. Plus, when the weather starts heating up, I try to stick to skirts just to let everything breathe a little, especially since I’ve been dealing with constant issues with Candida.
Lactogyn capsules have actually been a lifesaver for me too; they really help take away that annoying stinging sensation and all that dryness you get right after stepping out of the shower.

Dana Carter2 said:I rely on Carefree intimate wash and daily liners for my hygiene. I’ve been doing this for years, and while I am fully aware it isn't the healthiest habit, I simply can't seem to break the cycle. I’m attempting to cut back when I'm at home, but whenever I head out, I feel compelled to use them just to feel secure. A friend of mine was told by her gynecologist to use a specific intimate gel for the vulva, yet it seems doctors can't even agree on the best approach. It's a bit of a toss-up, really. To make matters worse, I’ve never had issues before, but after a recent bout of inflammation, I was prescribed vaginal suppositories—who knows what triggered it. The truth is, I find it impossible to clean myself with nothing but warm water.

You’ll get there, honey. You'll manage once you stop irritating your own mucous membranes along with everything else.

Lisa Martin50 said:One really ought to wash up after sex, though I can't help but feel a certain level of apathy toward the whole ordeal lately. It feels like just another chore on an endless list. 🙄

It isn’t just about the wash; you absolutely have to make sure you urinate first. It is non-negotiable. 👍

I always feel this sudden, intense urge to pee right after sex... I guess all that "pressure" just ends up irritating my bladder or something. 🙂

Linda Campbell said:It’s not just about washing; you absolutely HAVE to pee first. 👍

Are you serious? Why? Is that not just some urban legend? 🤷

Amy Lee18 said:Are you serious? Why? Isn't that just some old urban legend? 🤷

It’s definitely not a myth, and it really matters for both before and after.
However, it isn't a form of contraception, despite what Matthew thinks—he'll probably hear about this soon enough...😁

Michelle Price66 said:Lactogyn capsules work for me too—no more annoying stinging or dryness after I shower.

Is that basically the same thing as Gynophillus?

My doctor told me I should probably take them at least once a year, even if nothing's wrong, just because they're good for you.
The ones I got came in a 14-capsule pack—one in the morning, one at night.

Amy Lee18 said:Wait, seriously? Why though? Isn't that just some total urban legend? 🤷

Honestly, you really gotta pee to flush out any potential bacteria from your urinary tract.
I actually dealt with a bladder infection once, and they told me I should definitely pee both before and after sex, plus wash up before and after too—basically, my partner needs to be clean, we need clean hands during everything, and especially making sure hands are totally spotless when touching down there.😍
Of course, trying to follow all those rules perfectly in the heat of the moment is super tough to pull off! But I try to be as careful as I can, and honestly, after an orgasm, I always feel this massive urge to go, probably because of all that pressure on my bladder.

It’s just a fact that women end up dealing with urinary infections way more often than guys do.😢

It’s actually quite easy to pull off 😉

briskeagle38 said:Is that basically the same thing as Gynophillus?

Someone told me I should probably take them at least once a year, regardless of whether I'm actually having issues or not, just because they're good for you overall.
The ones I was given came in a pack of 14 capsules—I'd take one in the morning and one before bed.

I'm assuming it's the same deal, just probiotics and all that.
These ones have 15 in a pack, and you just take one a day.
Did your doctor prescribe that Gynophillus to you or what...? Look, Lactogyn is decent, but charging $23 for just 15 capsules is honestly a total rip-off.

Michelle Price66 said:I’m guessing it’s the same deal, just probiotics and stuff.
There are 15 in a pack, one a day.
Did your doctor actually write you a script for that Gynophillus or what...? Lactogyn works fine, but paying $23 for 15 capsules is a total rip-off.

What I’ve been using (twice already in the last few years) are those vaginal suppositories. One in the morning, one at night, like I said. They're clear capsules filled with grainy granules—basically just lactobacillus (the good bacteria).

Yeah, I got a prescription, but I paid out of pocket at the pharmacy, 14 miles (in Canada). Just multiply by roughly 3.5 to get the price in dollars.
And honestly, like everyone else, I hate sticking things up there, so I asked my OB-GYN last time if I could just take the oral ones you mentioned instead—you know, for convenience?
He told me the suppositories work way better. Which, honestly, makes sense.

Linda Campbell said:You'll get through it, sweetie. You'll be fine once you fix the mucosa you messed up just like I did.

Can you actually explain what kind of hygiene routine wrecked your mucosa like that, please?

And what was even bothering you in the first place?

Thanks. 🙂

Honestly, I don't understand how you all manage to deal with daily pads every single day. 😲😲 I really only reach for them on the very first day or the very last day of my cycle, and even then, it feels like such a chore.
As for tampons... look, I know people say pads are a healthier option, but I just can't make them work for me. They irritate my skin constantly, they feel uncomfortable when I'm walking, and frankly, I just hate them. And thank God, I've never dealt with any infections or bacterial issues—not even since I started taking birth control pills, which can sometimes trigger yeast infections (and I've been on them for quite a while now).
Also, I don't see what the big deal is about showering before or after sex; I actually look forward to doing it. Maybe that hygiene habit is another reason why I haven't run into any issues down there. 😍