Q What’s the best way to get clean down there?
A/“Keep it simple,” says Mary L. Rosser, M.D., Ph.D., an ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. The vagina is self-cleaning, so all you need to do is rinse externally with warm water and, if desired, a mild soap like Dove. “Avoid scented products, as they can be irritating and lead to redness, itchiness, and inflammation,” she says. And don’t even think about douching: “Although many women say they feel fresher after doing it—especially if they have their period or recently had intercourse—it’s not at all healthy,” says Rosser. “It alters the natural balance of bacteria and acids and increases the chance for infections, which can lead to discharge and odor.”
Q My boyfriend has herpes, but he says…
