Free Book Excerpt from "The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health"

Bathing

Another common cause of itching is the way you bathe. How could keeping clean have unpleasant consequences? Being overly enthusiastic or obsessive about bathing can lead to drying and irritation of the vulva. When some women wash, they use the hottest water they can stand, scrub vigorously with pure soap, and even turn a hair dryer on the vulva. Others wash the vulva with soap and water after every urination… Recognize that while moisture is not desirable in the groin folds, the area between the thin inner lips (the vestibule) is part mucous membrane, like the mouth. It does not need to be dried out.