Stop Doing These 5 Things That Are Ruining Your Vaginal Health

This is not medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Please seek out your medical provider before engaging in any of these treatments.

Dr. Tamika Cross is a board‑certified OB‑GYN and a paid partner of Vagisil. She was compensated for creating this content. The views expressed are her own medical opinions. 

When it comes to vaginal health, sometimes less really is more.

As an OBGYN, I see patients every day who are trying their best to stay “clean,” fresh, and healthy—only to discover that some of the very things they’re doing are actually irritating the vulva or disrupting the vagina’s natural environment.

Your vagina has its own carefully balanced ecosystem. It contains healthy bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus, which help maintain an acidic pH (3.8-4.5) and protect against infection. When that balance gets disrupted, you may notice irritation, odor, abnormal discharge, or recurrent infections.

So, before you add another product to your routine, here are five things I want you to stop doing for better vaginal and vulvar health.

1. Stop Douching

Your vagina does not need to be cleaned internally.

Douching can disrupt the normal vaginal flora and change the natural pH, potentially increasing your risk of bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal infections.

The vagina is self-cleaning. It does not need our help. Normal vaginal discharge is actually part of how it maintains itself.

It’s a good idea to clean the external vulva, but you don't need to put soap, water, vinegar, or feminine cleansing products inside the vagina.

If you notice a new or persistent odor, don't try to wash it away. An odor can sometimes be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, a retained tampon, or another issue that needs to be evaluated.
 

2. Stop Staying in Sweaty Workout Clothes or Wet Swimsuits for Hours

Your post-workout leggings or wet swimsuit may seem harmless, but sitting in damp, tight clothing for hours can create a warm, moist environment around the vulva that can contribute to irritation, chafing, and discomfort.

That doesn’t mean a wet swimsuit automatically causes a yeast infection or BV. But prolonged moisture, heat, friction, and tight clothing can irritate sensitive vulvar skin. After swimming or exercising, try to change into clean, dry clothing when reasonably possible. Choose breathable underwear and avoid sitting around all day in clothes that are soaked with sweat or water.

And if you notice itching, burning, unusual odor, or a change in discharge afterward, don't automatically assume it's yeast and start treating yourself. Those symptoms can have several different causes.

No, you don't need to sprint out of the gym to change your leggings, but your sweaty workout clothes weren't designed to become an all-day outfit. Give your vulva a chance to stay cool, dry, and comfortable.
 

3. Stop Self-Treating Every Itch Like a Yeast Infection

Itching does not automatically mean yeast.

Bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections, allergic reactions, eczema, vulvar skin conditions, hormonal changes, and irritation from products can cause symptoms that patients mistake for yeast infections.

Repeatedly using over-the-counter yeast medication when you don't actually have yeast may delay the correct diagnosis—and sometimes causes even more irritation.

If symptoms keep returning, don't keep guessing. Get evaluated so we can figure out what you're actually treating.
 

4. Stop Assuming All Discharge is an Infection

Vaginal discharge is normal—and having discharge does not automatically mean you have BV, a yeast infection, or an STI.

In fact, normal vaginal discharge is one of the ways your vagina maintains a healthy environment. The amount, color, and consistency can naturally change throughout your menstrual cycle. Around ovulation, you may notice discharge that is clear, slippery, stretchy, or similar to egg whites. At other times, it may be white, creamy, or slightly cloudy. You may also notice more discharge during pregnancy, with hormonal birth control, or with sexual arousal.

Discharge becomes more concerning when there is a significant change from your baseline especially when accompanied by symptoms such as a strong or unpleasant odor, itching, burning, vulvar irritation, pelvic pain, pain with urination or sex, or abnormal bleeding. For this reason, it is important for you to know what your baseline is. Certain changes in color or consistency can also warrant evaluation, but appearance alone isn't always enough to determine the cause.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is patients repeatedly treating themselves for yeast or BV, simply because they notice discharge, and not seeking medical attention early on. 

Discharge isn't dirty, and it doesn't need to be eliminated.

Instead of trying to make your vagina completely “dry” or discharge-free, learn your normal patterns. And if something suddenly looks, smells, or feels different—or keeps coming back, get evaluated rather than guessing.
 

5. Stop Ignoring Changes Because You're Embarrassed

This may be the MOST important one.

Please don't avoid your OBGYN because you're embarrassed about an odor, discharge, bump, itching, bleeding after sex, painful intercourse, or something that simply doesn't seem normal for you.

Trust me—we've seen it before.

Changes in vaginal discharge and odor can be completely normal, but persistent or significant changes can also signal infections or other conditions that deserve attention.

You don't have to diagnose yourself before making an appointment. That's our job.
 

The Bottom Line

Healthy vaginal care requires just a few key products, not a medicine cabinet full of unnecessary ones. 

Don't douche. Remember to change out of damp, sweaty clothing as soon as possible. Don't automatically assume it's an infection. Be careful what you insert. And don't ignore persistent symptoms.

Your vagina has an impressive ability to maintain its own environment. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your vaginal health is to keep it simple. 

And if something feels different? Or symptoms are not improving, reach out to your OBGYN.