Washing the vagina can lead to many problems. You might have heard that the vagina is like a self-cleaning oven — a pretty accurate metaphor. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists points out that your vagina cleans itself and keeps itself healthy by maintaining the correct pH balance and cleaning itself with natural secretions. These bacteria maintain the ideal pH balance in your vagina, which is slightly acidic. When you use soaps, sprays, or gels — and yes, even water — to wash inside your vagina, you disrupt the bacterial balance.

First, let’s talk about the difference between your vagina and vulva.
1) Just water is enough but certain products are ok
Emma Kaywin, a Brooklyn-based sexual health writer and activist, is here to calm your nerves and answer your questions. No gender, sexual orientation, or question is off limits, and all questions remain anonymous. Q: I'm a full-grown woman, but I'm embarrassed to say that I still don't really understand how to maintain vaginal cleanliness.
Dry Off Your Vulva And Labia
Sex should be fun, but it can also be complicated. Welcome to Sexual Resolution , a biweekly column by sex therapist Vanessa Marin answering your most confidential questions to help you achieve a healthy, joyful sex life. Here, she answers a reader who is having a hard time receiving oral sex due to her body insecurities. Have your own question? Ask it here. Is there any way to put this self-consciousness away once and for all? Let me start with the first layer. However, the labia themselves can sometimes use a little extra TLC, especially the inner labia.
In fact, these products can be very irritating and can cause vaginitis. Every female has a natural vaginal scent that can change throughout her menstrual cycle. Every healthy vagina makes discharge. Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear, white, or light yellow and sometimes sticky. Your vagina and vulva area are usually healthy if you do NOT have an odor that is different for you or fishy smelling and you do not have itching, redness, or burning. If you have a discharge that smells different for you or if the area around your vulva or vagina is itchy, red, or sore, you should make an appointment with your health care provider and get treated. Not all vaginal odors are caused by an infection. When showering or bathing, wash your vulva with warm water and mild or unscented soap. Separate your labia and let the warm soapy water clean all around the clitoral hood and between your labia. This will rinse off any secretions that get stuck in between skin folds.