– It is overwashing that is the problem. It creates an imbalance in the vaginal flora, and thus girls and women struggle with discomfort, bad odour, discharge, itching and fungal infections. We are at the office of gynecologist Kamal Aujla at Volvat in Drammen. She shows a poster with a woman’s abdomen; with 17 years of medical experience, she points and explains the anatomy. Behind a curtain is the chair where patients lie down for an abdominal check. Every day, girls and women come in to overcome problems downstairs. – My task is not just to treat, but to carry out preventive work, Aujla states. Gynecologist Kamal Aujla at Volvat in Drammen comes with a clear call. Photo: Tina Brock / news Thorough intimate washing has the opposite effect Every day, the gynecologist has patients with problems in the abdomen. Often it comes from excessive or thorough washing. Illustration: Caroline Utti / news She therefore comes with a strong appeal: – Do not use soap. It is a completely common misunderstanding that intimate soap is okay. The problem is that many wash too well – too often, says Aujla. This is when problems can start to abound. Do you use soap underneath? I always use soap there. No, of course not. At least now there will be no more soap in the abdomen. Show result – What happens if you wash yourself too often with soap down there? – To understand intimate care, one can be inspired by face washing. Soap in the eyes and nose, it can sting. This is the body’s way of saying: “Don’t continue”, replies Aujla. She says that the body is protected by a natural flora, a layer consisting of good bacteria that sits like a membrane on the skin and mucous membranes. It protects us against unwanted bacteria. – This natural flora is dependent on moisture and natural fats. Just as the skin and mucous membranes have their own flora, so does the vagina. And excessive intimate washing can destroy this flora. Every day, women and girls lie in this chair. Common to many of them is excessive intimate washing. Photo: Tina Brock / news Outward and inward If you want to avoid dry mucous membranes, dry skin around the vagina and vulva, as well as fungal deposits and foul-smelling discharge, you should follow this advice. – You should wash yourself once a day. But then you should only rinse yourself with lukewarm water. If one is addicted to soap, it should never enter the vagina. Nor should water be flushed into the vagina, the gynecologist orders. And if you’re a man and think you can get away with these problems just because you urinate, think again. – The same applies to the penis. Do not use soap on the head of the penis, says Aujla. How the vagina works Think of the vagina as another internal organ. We do not wash internal organs with soap. You shouldn’t do that with the vagina either. Our body is protected by a natural flora with good bacteria that act as a membrane on the skin and mucous membranes. These protect us against unwanted bacteria and fungi. This also applies to the vagina. The environment in the vagina must be acidic. The bacteria responsible for this is called lactobacillus and produces lactic acid. Lactobacillus is very sensitive to soap. Excessive washing destroys the natural flora. When we wash ourselves to get rid of a bad smell, we create an imbalance that in turn causes more bad smell. The vagina is self-cleansing and cleans itself internally through natural discharge. Use only lukewarm water, possibly peanut oil, olive oil or intimate oil on the outer part of the vagina. Do not flush with water in the vagina. (Source: Kamal Aujla/Volvat) Tampons, panty liners and allergies The shop shelves are full of various soaps which, according to the manufacturers themselves, are suitable for intimate washing. Shouldn’t we use these products? The selection of intimate soaps is large in most stores. Photo: Tina Brock / news – Preferably not. As said, it works to use lukewarm water, possibly an intimate oil to retain moisture, reads the answer from Aujla. Still, many wash and scrub themselves into trouble. Once you have ended up in the gynecologist’s chair with the symptoms described in the case, what should you do then? Kamal Aujla’s advice is both logical and gynaecological. Photo: Privat/Volvat – Things take time when it comes to building up the balance again, says Aujla, who comes with the following tips: Panty liners should only be used during menstruation because they are bleached with chlorine and have artificial fibers that can cause an allergic reaction. Wear cotton underwear. After exercise: remove the synthetic clothing immediately. Avoid tampons. Feel free to sleep without underwear. If the symptoms do not go away, see a healthcare professional so that bacteria samples can be taken and you can receive targeted treatment, advises the gynaecologist. – The most important rule for intimate washing is, less is more.
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Gynecologist warns against soap washing – news Buskerud – Local news, TV and radio
