To Clean With Soap Or Not Clean With Soap, That Is The Question? Vulvar Hygiene: Why Less Is Often More

In a world filled with feminine washes, scented sprays, wipes, deodorants, and cleansing products marketed toward women, it’s easy to believe that the vulva and vagina require a complicated hygiene routine. In reality, the opposite is often true.

When it comes to vulvar and vaginal health, less is often more.

The Difference Between the Vulva and the Vagina

Many people use the words “vulva” and “vagina” interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

The vulva refers to the external genital tissues, including the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.

The vagina is the internal canal that extends from the vaginal opening to the cervix.

Understanding this distinction is important.

The Vagina Is a Self-Cleaning Oven

One of my favorite ways to explain vaginal health is this:

The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven.

A self-cleaning oven does not need additional scrubbing chemicals to stay clean. In fact, adding unnecessary products can sometimes create more problems than it solves.

The vagina naturally maintains its own environment through normal secretions, healthy bacteria, and an acidic pH. These mechanisms help protect against infections and support overall vaginal health.

Normal vaginal discharge is one of the ways the body cleans and maintains this environment. While the amount and appearance of discharge can vary throughout the menstrual cycle and lifespan, discharge itself is often a sign that the vagina is functioning normally.

Why Soaps Can Cause Problems

Many soaps, body washes, and feminine hygiene products are designed to remove oils, alter odors, or create a feeling of freshness. Unfortunately, these products can sometimes disrupt the delicate tissues of the vulva and vagina.

Potential issues associated with soaps and fragranced products may include:

• Dryness

• Burning or stinging

• Itching

• Skin irritation

• Increased sensitivity

• Disruption of the normal vaginal environment

The tissues of the vulva are highly sensitive. Products that work well on other parts of the body may be irritating when applied to genital tissues.

Products That May Be Unnecessary

Many individuals are surprised to learn that products marketed specifically for feminine hygiene are often unnecessary.

Examples include:

• Vaginal douches

• Scented washes

• Feminine deodorant sprays

• Fragranced wipes

• Scented pads or liners

• Perfumed bath products used around the genital area

These products are often promoted as ways to improve cleanliness or odor, but they may actually contribute to irritation in some individuals.

What About Vaginal Odor?

A common concern is the belief that the vagina should have no odor.

The truth is that healthy vaginas naturally have a scent. This scent may change throughout the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, around menopause, or after exercise.

A mild, natural odor is typically normal.

However, a sudden change in odor—especially when accompanied by symptoms such as itching, burning, pain, unusual discharge, or irritation—may warrant evaluation by a healthcare professional.

A Simpler Approach to Vulvar Hygiene

For many people, a simple hygiene routine is sufficient:

• Gentle cleansing of the external genital area with water and your hand

• Avoiding harsh soaps and fragrances

• Wearing breathable, cotton underwear when possible

• Changing out of wet clothing after exercise or swimming

• Avoiding unnecessary vaginal cleansing products

• Avoiding always wearing liners or pads “just in case” or to deal with discharge

The goal is not to create a perfectly sterile environment. The goal is to support the body’s natural ability to maintain a healthy balance.

The Bottom Line

The feminine hygiene industry often sends the message that women need specialized products to stay clean and fresh and things should smell like roses down there. In reality, the vagina has evolved with an impressive built-in cleaning system and the vagina should smell like a vagina.

Remember: the vagina is a self-cleaning oven.

Rather than trying to improve upon what the body already does well, many individuals may benefit from simplifying their hygiene routine and allowing the vagina’s natural processes to do their job.

Sometimes the healthiest approach is also the simplest one.