How necessary is feminine wash in women's hygiene?

For most women, feminine wash is an important personal care product that ensures vaginal health. They take an extra step in their daily routine — not to mention pay more — for proper hygiene. 

It requires a different and specific product because "the vagina is really completely different from how the rest of the body works," says Dr. Elva Sarte-Uygongco, an OB-Gynecologist at Hara Clinic in Pasig City.

It is a "stretchy muscular tube that's an important part of [the female] reproductive anatomy," Cleveland Clinic says.   

According to WebMD, the vagina is the organ that receives the penis when a woman has penetrative sex, through where she delivers her baby during normal childbirth, and during menstruation, it is where a woman inserts a tampon or a menstrual cup to catch the blood flow.

Interestingly, the vagina also plays a role in a woman's immune defense, serving as "protection against harmful pathogens via acidic pH, local flora, and chemical signaling," says the NIH.

pH Balance and Chemistry Lessons

It would be helpful to recall your Chemistry lesson on pH balance at this point because the vagina, in case you didn't know, leans on a specific pH balance range that allows it to perform all of its functions and contribute to a woman's overall health and well-being. 

According to Sarte-Uygongco, the normal vaginal pH ranges from 3.8 to 4.5, which means it is acidic. This mildly acidic environment allows beneficial bacteria, particularly lactobacilli, to thrive — and this is where feminine wash comes into play.

Soaps are generally alkaline. According to a 2014 study that sampled 64 soaps, "majority have a pH within the range of 9-10." 

Such alkalinity can disrupt a vagina's pH balance, which then allows conditions like bacterial vaginosis or candidiasis to develop, signaling that the protective acidic environment has been compromised.

Says Sarte-Uygongco," If you use a very strong soap, it can kill not just the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria that protect the vagina."

Changes in vaginal pH can lead to infections and other symptoms. Common signs include a fishy odor, unusual discharge, itching, burning sensations, or irritation.

If symptoms such as greenish discharge, clumpy texture, or persistent itching occur, Sarte-Uygongco advises seeking medical consultation.

“These are signs that the normal balance of bacteria may already be disrupted,” she said.

Soap vs. Feminine Wash

"That’s why feminine washes are specifically designed to be safely used in the intimate area," Sarte-Uygongco continued. "It is formulated to be mild, pH-balanced, and able to remove sweat, urine residue, and discharge without disturbing the vagina’s natural protective environment."

Unlike regular bath soaps or body washes, feminine washes are typically formulated to match the natural pH level of the vaginal area, which usually ranges from 3.8 to 4.5. 

Feminine wash is most useful in certain situations.

According to Sarte-Uygongco, it can help cleanse the area after activities that cause sweat or odor, such as exercise. It can also be helpful during menstruation when blood may accumulate around the folds of the external genital area.

“It can help remove odor, sweat, and residual discharge from the external area,” she said.

Washing the external area after sexual activity can also help reduce the risk of infection.

“Sex involves a lot of physical contact and sweat,” Sarte-Uygongco explained. “Washing the external area afterwards can help remove bacteria and maintain hygiene.”

Sarte-Uygongco added that feminine wash should only be used on the external area because "the inside of the vagina actually has its own self-cleaning mechanism."

"It already contains good bacteria that maintain the balance and remove unwanted bacteria. Just let the inside of the vagina do its own thing—the feminine wash is only for the outside," she explained to GMA News Online.

Regular external use helps maintain the natural pH and microbiome, reduces harmful bacteria, improves genitourinary symptoms, and enhances skin moisturization without causing irritation, a 2022 study said.

Self-Regulating

The vagina is also a self-regulating part of the body, the doctor reminds. "The key is to take care of it gently and avoid overdoing hygiene practices."

Sarte-Uygongco advises women to limit using feminine wash to once or twice a day, as excessive washing can lead to dryness and irritation.

Over-cleaning may also strip away natural oils that protect the vulva and disturb the balance of beneficial bacteria.

“When you over-wash, you can kill the good bacteria and remove the natural protective oils,” she said. “This can increase the risk of infections.”

For many women, plain water is enough for everyday cleansing, especially when there is no excessive sweating, discharge, or menstruation.

“Sometimes less is more when it comes to vaginal care,” Sarte-Uygongco said. “The vagina can clean itself, so we only need to gently care for the outside.”

With many feminine hygiene products available in the market, Sarte-Uygongco advises consumers to carefully check product labels.

One should look for feminine washes that are mild, hypoallergenic, and pH-balanced. Avoid products with strong fragrances because those may irritate sensitive skin.

Some products may also indicate that they are dermatologically tested or gynecologist-approved, which suggests that safety testing has been conducted.

“It’s important to be discerning when choosing products for such a sensitive area,” she said.

Avoid using an expired feminine wash, too, as the effectiveness of expired products is reduced and, in some cases, even poses a risk of irritation or infection. 

“Siyempre these feminine washes have preservatives in them that kind of keep the ingredients safe. So they might not be as effective anymore. It might also be that there can be bacterial contamination in the product already,” Sartre-Uygongco said. 

They may also lose their pH balance, which is essential for maintaining vaginal health, or could even harbor bacterial contamination. 

While a product slightly past its expiry date is usually not immediately harmful, using a wash that is well beyond its expiration can compromise safety and may irritate the sensitive vaginal area, per the expert. — LA, GMA Integrated News