Things you can do to keep it “happy down there” this new school year
Somehow it’s September again, and if you’ve got kids, you’re probably frantically getting them ready to go back-to-school. (Full disclosure: My daughter hasn’t even got her bag packed yet…)
This is also a great time of year to hit “reset” on some of your own habits. Consider this list a friendly reminder from your favourite local pelvic health physiotherapist to take care of you too - and you’ll be ready to take on the world too.
#1. Watch how you’re wiping
Say it with me: Front to back, very gently. While it’s important to make sure you’re keeping “down there” clean, there’s no need to rub back-and-forth vigorously. If you wipe back-to-front, you risk bringing bacteria from your anus to other areas of the body, which you don’t need to be a medical expert to know is no bueno.
#2. Don’t douche
Don’t steam, don’t douche, don’t use “feminine hygiene” washes - just don’t do any of it! If you’ve got a vulva and vagina, they’re like a self-cleaning oven. In fact, not leaving them alone to do their thing could actually be detrimental to your vaginal flora. Douching can actually kill the good bacteria, which could lead to yeast infections, and even pelvic pain down the road.
#3. Pee after sex
If you have a vagina and you experience penetration during sex, make sure you visit the washroom directly afterwards. Think about it: If you had foreign liquids in any other part of your body, you’d want to clean them up immediately - so why not the stuff that can get leftover after sex? (You know what I’m talking about.) Show the same love to your vagina, ASAP.
#4. Don’t strain when you’re using the bathroom
Going to the toilet shouldn’t be a stressful exercise. In fact, it’s all about relaxation, letting things go (literally!) and allowing poo and pee to come out easily. If you’re straining, you’re contracting your pelvic muscles, which means you’re creating a hard wall for urine or poop when they’re trying to leave your body. Just relax, give it time, and trust it will come out when it’s ready.
#5. BREATHE
This is just good life advice: Breathe in a way that lets your body actually process relaxation. Place one hand on your upper chest, and keep it quiet. Think of your lungs in 3-D, and focus on filling them with air, allowing them to expand into your back and your ribcage. Don’t force the air in, and go gently. When you exhale, just let the air - and everything else - go with your breath. When you breathe like this, you’re actually tapping into your nervous system, allowing your brain and your body to relax at the same time.
#6. Prioritize your health
Whether you’ve been to a pelvic health physiotherapist in the past or you’ve never seen one before, this “new year” is a great time to re-prioritise your well-being - and if there’s something I can help you with, or you’re just curious about what I do, let’s chat! Call us at 604-362-8977 to see if we can get a plan of care going for you, or email me directly at info@happydownthere.ca.