A British sex expert reveals to DAILYMAIL 11 things you shouldn’t put in or near your vagina.
The vagina is an extraordinary part of the body. Not only is it a gateway for the creation of human life, historically it has been used to smuggle everything from drugs, money, watches, cell phones, even loaded guns.
Impressive, isn’t it?
What is not impressive is the ploy of “sexual wellness” sites that make money to convince you that your vagina needs to be steamed, perfumed, washed or “melted” in order to be attractive to sexual partners.
It’s not like that!
Vaginas should not smell like strawberries and cream. A healthy vagina has a slight odor, but nothing unpleasant. Wear breathable underwear, skip the skinny jeans now and then, wash with a soap-free product – then relax.
If you notice any discharge, unpleasant odor or changes, contact your doctor.
Far from “improving” your vagina, the following products and treatments will do the exact opposite – create problems.
Naive (and uneducated, uninformed) “sexual health” scam sites try to convince women to buy a range of vaginal health products, says Tracy Cox.
This tops the list of Goop’s most boring “sexual health” recommendations (and there are many).
Gwyneth’s website advised women to steam clean their vaginas for “extra energy, to rebalance female hormones and for a squeaky uterus.”
That. As strange as it sounds: sit or squat over a steamer that directs herbal steam into your vagina.
The treatment started in LA, but a quick (terrifying) search online turned up plenty of people offering the service in the UK too.
Here’s why you shouldn’t.
Making your vagina warmer than it should be is not a good idea: it is maintained at body temperature (37 degrees) for a reason. Hot vaginas create bad bacteria and fungi like candida (thrush).
Although it may sound gloriously hydrating, water does not hydrate cells. Oil is what lubricates the vagina and a lot of it happens naturally – until you wash it out with steam.
There is no evidence that vaginal intercourse helps any condition. World vagina expert Dr. Jen Gunter says it’s “as clear as mud” that mating herbs should gain access to your uterus through a tightly closed cervix. The skin of the vagina is delicate, sensitive and easily damaged. Steaming can cause burns.
Postpone forever? I hope so!
Goop was sued and settled for a substantial sum claiming that this is good for you…
Renowned sex expert Tracy Cox lists sea sponges, ice cubes and certain foods as things to keep away from the vagina.
Similar sale: Increase vaginal muscle tone! Balance those hormones! Increase female energy! What is “female energy”?
This will obviously happen if you insert the stone into your vagina for anywhere from a few minutes to overnight, ideally every day.
Once the hard jade fans and egg ions are inserted, your body can use the energy inherent in the stone. Your pelvic muscles have to grab the egg to keep it there, so it makes you firmer too.
Here’s the surprise: There is no evidence to support any of this.
Eggs are a scam – expensive, if you’re willing to buy them from Gwinnett.
While we’re on the subject woo-woo, let’s talk about crystals. Some women insert them to cleanse the uterus of “bad energy”. Like yoni eggs, it’s all a scam. Instead of getting rid of bad energy, you will instead grow bad bacteria because crystals are porous.
They were in fashion two years ago. Fortunately, they fell out of favor a bit.
These are suppositories (“melting” sounds very sexy) made from natural oils that contain fragrances and flavors. Use them every night to increase vaginal moisture or to add a “moisture boost” just before intercourse.
First, don’t fall for the argument that if something comes from nature, it won’t irritate. Nettle is natural, but you wouldn’t want to put it in your vagina, would you?
Anyone prone to yeast infections or irritation should avoid. Just avoid in general. If you suffer from vaginal dryness, use a vaginal moisturizer or use safe lubricants designed for this purpose (more on that below). It will be half as mild and really do the job.
You do NOT need scented feminine washes, sprays, powders or wipes to smell “better”.
You smell fine without them (and any partner who disagrees should be disposed of along with the products you use).
Soap-free and fragrance-free laundry alternatives are good – but stay away from the rest.
Until recently, there was little research on the chemicals found in feminine hygiene products and flavored personal lubricants.
We now know that at least some ingredients could be toxic to our bodies – and that the mucous membranes in the vagina and vulva quickly absorb all chemicals without metabolizing them.
They are less popular these days.
But still, some women can’t quite break the addiction to injecting a liquid that often contains vinegar, baking soda, iodine, antiseptics and fragrances into their vagina, so they smell “fresh” to their partners.
Far from keeping you “fresh,” vaginal douches are likely to cause vaginal odor by disrupting the delicate pH balance of the vagina, throwing off the good bacteria you need to fight off infections, and causing irritation and burning.
Douching after sex won’t wash away the sperm so you don’t get pregnant, nor will it prevent you from getting sexually transmitted diseases.
Yes. Some women also believe that.
They look like regular underwear, but have multiple layers of microfiber polyester that absorbs menstrual blood to prevent it from leaking onto your clothes.
For now, for those who don’t like to use tampons or pads.
However, period underwear has been found to contain dangerous substances known as PFAS on its outer and inner absorbent linings. Ominously named “forever chemicals,” they are a group of long-lasting chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, oil, stains, and water.
You’ll find them in things like plastic food wraps and nonstick cookware. As worrisome as they sound, they don’t break down easily in the environment – and can get into your body and build up inside you. PFAS has been linked to irregular periods, high blood pressure and ovarian disorders.
If you still want to use them, check the fine print carefully to see if it’s “PFAS-free”. (PFOA-free means not all PFAS-free.)
While we’re on the subject of menstruation…
They bill themselves as a “natural” alternative to using pads and tampons, but I don’t know what’s natural about putting something that comes from the sea into our vaginas.
They represent a significant security risk.
Research has revealed that sea sponges can contain particles of sand, mold, yeast and bacteria Staphilococcus aureus – the one responsible for causing toxic shock syndrome.
Ironic because many women choose to use sponges for fear of getting toxic shock from tampons.
That’s not all: because they are textured and rough, they can cause small scratches inside the body when inserted and removed, making it even easier for bacteria and other vermin to enter the body.
It is sometimes recommended as part of temperature play – erotic experimentation with hot and cold on erogenous zones; TikTok videos claiming to insert an ice cube into your vagina before sex tightens it are also popular. (not true).
The problem with inserting ice is that it can stick to the delicate skin of the vagina. If the thought of peeling it off doesn’t put you off, cover it with a condom to create a barrier between you and it. You wouldn’t believe it, but ice can cause burns.
Again, the idea seems sexy. Your partner inserts something into your vagina and enjoys delicious oral sex. This can work with foods that you can easily remove: (unpeeled) bananas, washed cucumber or carrots.
The list of what is safe is short. Hot, spicy and fatty foods disrupt the pH balance and irritate everyone. Bacteria LOVE sweet food.
Something else that harbors bacteria?
Yes, some are designed to do just that – penetrate your vagina – but your vagina will only love them if they’re clean and used with lube.
Most people toss them in the drawer, unwashed, when they’re done and reach for them again when they’ve had a few drinks and feel turned on.
Do not. Wipe or wash them with a soap-free cleanser (or a cleanser specifically designed for sex toys) both before and after use. Rinse well. Dry well.
Reach for baby oil and double your chances of bacterial and fungal infections. Vaseline contains petroleum and does the same. Both damage condoms.
If you don’t have store-bought lube on hand, coconut oil is your best bet.
When buying lubricants, avoid flavored varieties – they contain sugar that can cause yeast infections. Lubricants containing glycerin can do the same. Avoid all lubricants that contain nasties like nonoxynol-9, fragrances and parabens.
Source: www.sitoireseto.com