Love Your Bits and how to get good at feminine hygiene
We love talking about periods and we don’t shy away from feminine hygiene chat here at NORA. We know we’re the exception though, and it’s probably not normal to be chatting about vaginal microbiomes and heavy flow days on your tea break.
We‘re on a mission to change that though – periods aren’t gross and feminine hygiene is not a taboo subject.
Why should you take care of your bits
We all know the value of a self-care Sunday but when it comes to your menstrual health, your body needs attention more than once a week. So, re-light those candles and get that fluffy robe back on - germs don’t take a day off after all.
Getting into a good feminine hygiene routine prevents infections, reduces odours and helps you stay comfortable when you’re on and off your period.
When your vulva and vagina are happy, it has a really positive knock-on effect on your self-esteem, health and fertility.
How to take care of your bits – the basics
Wash – but don’t use soap. We know, this one seems counter intuitive. But hear us out - your vagina is self-cleaning and has its own unique microbial environment. When everything’s in balance, it’s perfectly capable of taking care of any harmful bacteria by itself.
When you use soaps and fragranced products, you’re annihilating the good bacteria, causing an imbalance and leading to a greater risk of things like yeast infections and viruses. Crazy! So, ditch the Femfresh and stick to warm water – it’s all you need!
Steer clear of tampons
Unless we’re making Christmas decorations, you won’t find us using tampons (not even joking).
We know they’re an accessible option but get this - tampons are designed to be absorbent so when they’re inside you, they can dry you out; trapping bad bacteria and stopping your body from being able to expel it. This leads to an imbalance in your pH, which can lead to irritation and even infection. NOT good feminine hygiene.
Tampons are also linked to Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) - a potentially fatal condition. When you leave a tampon in too long, bacteria will breed and irritate vaginal tissue. This can cause small cuts that allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, resulting in TSS. The only way to avoid this is to make sure you’re using the lowest absorbency for your flow, changing them frequently or to not use them at all.
Change your underwear and pads regularly
Changing your pad often helps to prevent odour build-up, even if you’re on a light day or not bleeding at all. When organisms from your vagina and sweat from your genitals remain in warm, moist conditions for a long time they’ll multiply and you can end up with a urinary tract infection, vaginal infections and skin rashes. Boo.
This goes for period pants too – just pop them in the wash and stick on a clean pair every few hours to make sure you’re on top of your feminine hygiene game.
Keep you cup clean
We love menstrual cups because they really are environmental superstars. A menstrual cup has only 1.5% of the environmental impact of disposable period products. Incredible!
If you use one, just make sure you clean it every day after use. Once your period’s finished, rinse it thoroughly and sanitise it by steeping in boiling water for just a couple of minutes.
How NORA helps you keep on top of your feminine hygiene
NORA products are OEKO-TEX® certified, which basically means they contain no nasties and won’t cause irritation. Make sure you follow our washing guidelines and your period pants and period pads will last for years.
All our period pads and period pants are made from super comfy materials that are breathable, ensuring a happy vulva and vagina. Get yours here.
Always talk to a doctor if you experience a change in odour, have extreme or unusual pain, or have more severe period symptoms than usual (such as a heavier flow or longer period).
