WellnessTips>>Dr. Rena Takahashi, Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Protecting Important Mucous Membranes with Moisturizing Care: Make Every Day Comfortable with "Vaginal Rejuvenation"
Are you taking care of your delicate zone?
In recent years, delicate zone care has been gaining attention among people with a high health and beauty consciousness. However, for many, it's an unfamiliar term, so some might be "interested but haven't tried it yet."
Delicate zone care typically involves washing with gentle soaps, but recently, more and more women are taking it a step further by engaging in "vaginal self-care," which focuses on caring for the "vagina," a private part unique to women. In this article, we'll ask Rena Takahashi, a former professional boxer and OB/GYN, about why "vaginal care" is important and key tips for "vaginal self-care."
【Table of Contents】
・Knowing your body is the first step to health and beauty
・For vaginitis, candida, and menopausal concerns
・Cherish time for self-reflection
Knowing your body is the first step to health and beauty
—Just as "gut health" (chokatsu) has become established, "vaginal self-care" (chitsukatsu), which involves caring for the vagina to prepare for pregnancy and create a comfortable physical foundation, is gaining attention.
There are various care methods, but the benefit of self-care is not only maintaining a healthy body but also providing an opportunity to get to know your body. The delicate zone, in particular, is an area you don't normally see unless you make an effort. By looking at and touching it during care, you can notice signs of trouble or illness, such as "a rash that wasn't there before."
In Japan, there was a strong cultural tendency to consider discussing the delicate zone as "embarrassing," so care for this area was rarely taught in schools or at home. In fact, it's surprisingly common for patients to visit our clinic and say, "I'm married, but I've never been able to have penetrative sex." This can sometimes be due to a deep-seated aversion or fear of sex, instilled during childhood by adults who suggested that "touching the delicate zone is bad" or "sexual matters are dirty."
The delicate zone is not just about sexuality; it's an important private part of yourself. Therefore, it's essential to understand its condition and take good care of it yourself. It would be wonderful if everyone could have this mindset.
—We often hear that people hesitate to go to a gynecologist because it feels embarrassing. It would be great if attitudes slowly changed and caring for this area became as standard as skincare. Are there any key points to keep in mind when performing delicate zone care?
The delicate zone is, as its name suggests, delicate. The female genitalia consists of internal organs such as the vagina, uterus, and ovaries, and external organs near the vaginal opening. The inside of the vagina and the labia minora of the external genitalia are covered with mucous membranes. Mucous membranes and the skin close to them are thin and sensitive, just like the skin around the eyes, so when washing, gently lather a specialized soap and use it. And only wash the external genitalia. Never wash inside the vagina.
—Why should we avoid washing inside the vagina?
The vagina naturally contains both good and bad bacteria. A healthy vagina maintains an acidic environment (pH 3.7-4.5), which prevents the entry of harmful bacteria and suppresses the growth of bad bacteria. If the good bacteria die off and the bad bacteria increase, disrupting the bacterial balance in the vagina, it can lead to delicate zone problems like odor or even infections. Therefore, it's important to keep the delicate zone clean and create an environment where bacteria don't proliferate. However, washing inside the vagina with soap can wash away good bacteria, so limit washing to the external genitalia only.
Other factors that can lead to a decrease in good bacteria and an increase in bad bacteria include fatigue, stress, and the use of antibiotics.
For vaginitis, candida, and menopausal concerns
—So, washing is important for maintaining the balance of resident bacteria in the vagina. Are there any other delicate zone care practices that you recommend?
"Moisturizing" would be a key point.
Some women develop atrophic vaginitis during menopause or after it. This is caused by a decrease in the female hormone estrogen, which leads to thinning and drying of the vaginal walls and external genitalia, causing inflammation. Treatments include topical ointments and hormone replacement therapy, but self-care, such as supplementing reduced lactobacilli or moisturizing with serums while massaging to maintain lubrication, is also one way to alleviate discomfort.
Furthermore, even outside of menopause, some women experience painful intercourse due to stress or hormonal imbalances. In such cases, keeping the vagina lubricated or regularly massaging to maintain flexibility can reduce pain. Intimacy with a partner is a precious time, so we want it to be comfortable.
—It seems that "vaginal lubrication" could be key to improving women's quality of life. We've received many comments from users of KNOW YOUR ORIGIN's "Beauty Charge -Femcare-" saying, "This is the first time I've ever felt my vagina lubricated."
If the mucous membranes are dry, good bacteria may not proliferate easily, and conversely, bad bacteria may increase. Therefore, a state where there is little discharge or the delicate zone is dry is not ideal. If you experience itching, an irritating sensation, frequent urination, or a burning sensation, and a medical examination doesn't reveal the cause, it's possible that the delicate zone is dry.
For example, Candida vaginitis, which is caused by the abnormal proliferation of Candida (fungus) that is normally present in a healthy vagina, can be triggered by a decrease in good bacteria due to excessive washing. Some people try to prevent candida by avoiding dampness or over-washing to keep clean, which ironically reduces good bacteria and leads to Candida vaginitis.
Therefore, I believe that not over-washing and adequately moisturizing the delicate zone can have a positive effect on protecting the mucous membranes.
Cherish time for self-reflection
—So, the keywords for vaginal self-care are "knowing your body" and "moisturizing." When it comes to "knowing," it's important to utilize medical facilities in conjunction with self-care, right?
By understanding your body's normal state through delicate zone care, it becomes easier to communicate "what feels off" when you visit a medical institution. That being said, over-relying on self-care can delay the detection of illnesses, so I recommend regular gynecological check-ups.
If daily self-care has resolved any discomfort, it means it's working for you, so continue with it. If you feel that your discomfort is no longer being resolved, it's perfectly fine to rely on medical institutions. For example, in cases of vaginal dryness, depending on your age, a more fundamental treatment like hormone replacement therapy might be more effective in broadly alleviating menopausal symptoms.
Many people tend to think that they shouldn't go to the hospital unless they feel something specific, but it's by no means a bad thing to visit a medical institution with the aim of maintaining a constantly comfortable and pleasant state. In this era of a 100-year lifespan, there are many things we can do to improve our quality of life for the future, including vaginal care. It would be wonderful if each person could cherish time for self-reflection and find a method that suits them.
Profile
Rena Takahashi
OB/GYN, Ph.D. Director of Sanno Women's & Kids Clinic. As an OB/GYN YouTuber, she actively shares information about illnesses and sexual health on YouTube, Instagram, X, and TikTok. She is also a former professional boxer.
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renatkhsh/
Official X: https://twitter.com/renatkhsh
Official YouTube Channel: https://t.co/JjNnGWbt8z
