Gwyneth Paltrow advises women to 'steam-clean' their vaginas
Gwyneth's at it again, this time raving about the benefits of steam-cleaning her vagina. Yes, you read that correctly: in a recent Goop update Gwyneth says her lady parts need a regular "V-Steam". Apparently it works like this:
"You sit on what is essentially a mini-throne, and a combination of infrared and mugwort steam cleanses your uterus, et al. It is an energetic release – not just a steam douche – that balances female hormone levels."
Experts say no, but this latest recommendation for vaginal health has us asking exactly what we should be doing to take care down there.
Dr Anna McNulty, Director of Sydney Sexual Health, says that the best thing to do is absolutely nothing. "Your vagina is very good at keeping itself healthy," she says. "Just leave it alone."
In fact, not only is it best to do nothing, it's really important to be aware of anything going near that area. "It's quite a delicate balance of bacteria," Dr McNulty explains. "Any intervention – like the trend of douching – can wash away the normal bacteria that keeps your vagina healthy."
Top tips for keeping a healthy, happy vagina include:
Keep clean
"Wash the outside skin as you would do with any other part of your body," says Dr McNulty. Family Planning Victoria advises avoiding soaps and perfumed washing products, preferring instead that women wash their vaginas with plain old water. There are safe soap substitutes on the market if you prefer. Hygiene during your period is also important, with regular changes of pad or tampon a good way to help avoid any vaginal problems.
Take care when on medication
"Antibiotics can predispose some women to developing thrush," Dr McNulty says. Other factors like pregnancy, a low immune system and taking the contraceptive pill can also add to your likelihood of getting the condition.
There are ways to prevent thrush occurring, including wearing cotton underwear to increase airflow, wiping correctly (front to back) after going to the toilet, and taking supplements as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. Thrush can, in fact, be present in moderation, and your immune system and vaginal bacteria will take care of it naturally. If, however, your vagina is itchy, swollen, red or stinging, see your doctor.
Stay s-xually protected
"Avoid potential STIs with condom use and having regular check-ups if you're changing sexual partners," Dr McNulty advises. Some STIs don't have obvious symptoms so you won't always know if you have one; the best way to avoid them is to keep protected during sexual contact. Knowing what to look out for, how to stay safe and how to use condoms correctly is vital, and you can learn more from the STI Health website.
Get any symptoms checked out
If anything doesn't seem right around your vagina, whether it's a change in discharge, smell or it's feeling irritated or painful, ask your doctor for advice. Better to be safe than sorry (and we can guarantee they won't recommend a V-Steam).
