75% of all women experience a vaginal infection at least once.
75%? That’s 3 out of 4 women from Sex & the City!
Vaginal irritation and infections are suuuper common, but that doesn't make them normal. I want to normalize the conversation and break the taboo: it shouldn't be just another annoying female thing to add to the list. There is so much we can do to prevent irritation and infections. The good news: it’s probably much easier than you think.
Listen to your body
Discharge: we rarely jump for joy when we see it, buuuut vaginal discharge is actually a good sign! Your vagina is a self-cleaning, super-smart organ. That B*tch knows what’s up. She knows what to do. So give her the space to clean herself and stop trying to suppress discharge with all kinds of tricks. It needs to get out. Your body always wins, so work with it (and not against it).
Stop patching things up, fix the cause
If you’re experiencing a lot of discharge, it simply means your body is working hard to restore its balance. Your vagina is doing a deep clean: it’s temporary, so give her that time.
By trying to fight the discharge, you disrupt the balance all over again, keeping you stuck in that vicious cycle. Your body will produce even more vaginal discharge because it has even more repairing to do than before. Deal with it calmly and definitely don't fight it with horror suggestions (like yogurt-soaked tampons) from Dr. Google.
Bye, useless extras
There is an entire aisle in the supermarket that I’d love to set on fire, before those products set your vajayjay on fire 🙃
Your body only needs two things:
- Healthy underwear
- Lukewarm water for external cleaning.
Yep, that’s it. No douches, no "specially designed for your intimate zone" hygiene products, no soaps. Nothing extra! You are already extra as you are 👑
The biggest triggers of vaginal irritation
Your vaginal flora can be disrupted by a few things. Please ditch these ASAP!
- Synthetic underwear (polyester, polyamide, nylon, etc.) is truly terrible because it triggers extra irritation and discharge, but can’t absorb it properly. This keeps you stuck in a lovely vicious cycle.
- Panty liners, a logical reflex when you have a lot of discharge. But these products also mess with your balance. I used to reach for liners when I noticed more discharge, and that’s exactly what started the whole circus. Ditch the liners and invest in long-term solutions for your body. Our underwear is specially designed to solve this. It’s both preventatively healthy (breathable fabric) and it absorbs any discomfort you might still have.
- Scented, what a trigger word. Anything you use on your vulva or internally must never, ever, jamais be scented. It should literally be illegal 😅 Toilet paper, pads, tampons, seriously. Don’t. Do. It.
Healthy underwear: my personal mission and your lifesaver
My mission and my own salvation: healthy underwear. I will preach it till I diiiiiie (with a healthy vagina!). You can read a lot online about which thongs and briefs are unhealthy, but what should you actually look for in healthy underwear?
- Fabric is Queen. Your fabric is crucial, both to prevent irritation and to absorb what inevitably escapes. Your fabric must be able to breathe and absorb at the same time.
- Fit. Don't wear underwear that is too tight, this has a suffocating effect and increases irritation. We advise against wearing shapewear regularly. It's not great for your gut health either.
- Style. Most thongs aren't the best everyday option because that thin piece of string can transport bacteria from back to front. As a devoted thong-wearer, I wanted to find a solution for this. Our "non-string" thong doesn't just fit better; it’s thicker and stays in place.
- Feel good. Above all, you need to feel good in it. Everything surrounding vaginal irritation and infection already takes a toll on our confidence and sensuality.
You wear underwear every day, closest to your skin. It’s the first choice you make in the morning, so you’re allowed to look for the perfect pair. When you try Oh Yaz, you’ll notice the difference the very first time you put them on.
Panty liner rehab
Breaking a vicious cycle is never easy. So here are my tips for the phase where your body is still recovering, meaning you have a lot of discharge but want to leave the liners behind.
I like to compare it to hair that gets greasy quickly from overusing shampoo. You have to go through an awkward transition phase where you don't want to use shampoo, but you feel the urge. It’s best to bite the bullet and let your hair find its balance again.
With liners, I recommend just stopping and making sure that whatever touches your vulva is highly absorbent. Healthy and absorbent (read: Oh Yaz) underwear is best here. If you feel a bit insecure at first, it's much better to change your panties throughout the day. You’ll be surprised how quickly your body can heal itself, pinky promise!
So, preventing vaginal irritation and infections? To sum up: water & Oh Yaz panties, babe!