Salud vaginal y vulvar

Caring for your vulva and vagina

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Your vagina cleans itself and needs very little help. Gentle washing of the outside is enough, and douching and scented products can do more harm than good.

Your vagina cleans itself

The vulva is the outer part of your genitals. The vagina is the passage inside. The vagina keeps itself clean by making mucus, which comes out as discharge. A healthy vagina has a balance of good and harmful bacteria. This balance keeps the vagina acidic, which helps protect it from infection. Because of this, the inside of the vagina does not need washing.

How to wash

Washing the outside, the vulva, with warm water when you bathe or shower is enough. You can use a mild, unperfumed soap. If you get thrush, a plain moisturising cream (emollient) instead of soap may be kinder to your skin. Wash gently and dry the area well afterwards. If you often get bacterial vaginosis (BV), showers may be better for you than baths.

Why douching is a bad idea

Douching means washing out the inside of the vagina with water or other liquids. Doctors advise against it. It is linked to BV, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), STIs and problems in pregnancy, including premature birth and ectopic pregnancy. Women who douche once a week are about five times more likely to get BV than women who do not. Douching does not prevent pregnancy or STIs, and it can make getting an STI more likely.

Products to avoid

Perfumed soaps, shower gels and bubble bath can upset the balance in and around the vagina, and so can antiseptic liquids in the bath. It is best to avoid vaginal washes, deodorants and scented wipes, as well as scented pads, tampons, powders and sprays. Use a mild detergent for your underwear. Cotton underwear, and avoiding tight underwear or tights, can help prevent thrush.

Discharge and smell

Some discharge is normal and does not need to be washed away. Healthy discharge is clear or white and does not have a strong or unpleasant smell. A strong fishy smell, or a change in the colour or texture of discharge, can be a sign of an infection such as BV or thrush. These are common and treatable, so it is worth getting them checked rather than trying to cover them up.

When to see a doctor or nurse

See a doctor or nurse if your discharge smells bad or changes colour or texture, or if you have itching, burning, redness, swelling or soreness around your vulva or vagina. Also get checked if you notice sores or blisters, or bleeding between periods or after sex. These are often signs of a common infection that can be treated. Do not try to treat them by douching or with scented products, as this can make things worse.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you notice itching, soreness or a change in discharge or smell, talk to a doctor or nurse.