A paediatrician, Dr Abies Ojokojo, has cautioned women against vaginal douching, advising them to avoid using soap, cleansing agents or other substances inside the vagina.
Ojokojo, a paediatrician at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, said the vagina naturally cleanses itself and does not require internal washing.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin, she advised women to clean the external genital area regularly with clean water and seek medical attention for unusual symptoms rather than attempting to treat themselves.
Washing or cleaning inside the vagina with water or other substances are unnecessary because the vagina has natural mechanisms for maintaining its cleanliness, said Dr Ojokojo who emphasized that water should be used only on the external genital area, adding that soap and other cleansing products were not necessary inside the vagina.
The paediatrician also advised women against unnecessarily inserting tampons or other objects into the vagina, warning that such practices could pose health risks.
She encouraged women to use sanitary pads during menstruation, change them regularly and ensure that the products they use are registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
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Ojokojo further advised women to change into clean underwear daily, wash them properly and dry them thoroughly, preferably in sunlight. She urged women to replace underwear when it became worn out or could no longer be kept clean.
The paediatrician also cautioned women against attempting to treat unusual vaginal odour on their own, noting that it could indicate an infection requiring medical attention.
“Do not take the law into your own hands. If you perceive an odour that is not okay, seek medical help because it might be an infection that needs to be treated urgently,” she said.
Ojokojo explained that women could have a natural and unique vaginal odour, which should not automatically be considered abnormal.
She also advised women to wipe from front to back after using the toilet to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria from the anal area to the genital area.
She urged women to use good-quality toilet tissue and seek medical attention whenever they noticed unusual symptoms rather than attempting to manage them without professional guidance.
NAN reports that UNICEF recommends changing disposable sanitary pads every four to six hours, depending on menstrual flow.
Cleveland Clinic also recommends changing into clean underwear at least once a day and replacing underwear when it becomes worn or can no longer be kept clean.
NAN
