Last updated on October 21, 2020
Question:
Is using soap to wash the vagina harmful?
Answer:
Washing with soapy water is an excellent method for keeping the outer skin surfaces clean, but soap is not good for inner surfaces, such as the vagina. The skin of the vagina is thin and easily irritated. In addition, soap inside the vagina can remove the protective mucus lining allowing infections to occur.
If odors are a problem, use a very mild soap or simply wash with plain water the inner vulva. If any soap is used, make sure you rinse the area well to avoid irritation. However, the vagina itself does not need to be washed. Wash from front to back to avoid introducing germs from the rectum into the folds of the vulva.