in collaboration with @balancedblackgirlpodcast
For years, my life revolved around healthy choices...or so I thought. I was dedicated to eating "clean," getting in as many steps as I could in a day, and doing intense workouts 5+ days per week. Little did I know, the latter "healthy choice" would do a number on my vaginal health.
In fact, I had my first experience with bacterial vaginosis when I was in the best shape of my life. I was physically strong, super athletic, and had stamina and energy my present-day pandemic self envies greatly.
So when my doctor diagnosed me with BV, I was shocked. I wasn't sexually active at the time, and knew that wasn't a factor in my condition. Did that mean that I wasn't as "clean" or didn't take as good of care of myself as I thought?
I racked my brain trying to figure out how it could have happened. After a period of reflection, I realized many of my lifestyle choices didn't have vaginal wellness in mind. My schedule largely revolved around my workouts — at the time, I was a personal trainer and constantly felt pressured to stay in tip-top shape. I was also working for a popular athleisure retailer, and between my two jobs, I was in tight workout leggings 99.9% of the time.
I also realized my underwear stash exclusively consisted of thong underwear due to my (then) fear of having dreaded visible panty lines when constantly wearing said leggings. Thankfully, I'm over that fear, and comfort and breathability are now my top priorities.
Those who workout more often can be prone to vaginal infections because movement generates warmth and moisture that can easily get trapped in the inner and outer folds of your vulva. If and when these exterior skin folds — respectively called the labia minora and labia majora — are sweaty or damp for extended periods of time, it creates the perfect environment for yeast and harmful bacteria to thrive.
Now I'm certainly not telling you to give up your workouts to keep your vulva happy. Finding a balance between fitness and vaginal health is possible. Let's talk about post-workout vaginal care tips to support your vaginal health and prevent irritation and infection.
1. Take a shower or rinse off ASAP after your workout
If possible, change out of sweaty workout clothes as soon as you can after your workout ends. Ideally, you’ll want to take a shower, or rinse your vaginal area to prevent the growth of any harmful bacteria that may have surfaced during your workout.
If you can't shower immediately, keep an extra pair of (breathable, cotton) underwear to change into and, at the very least, be sure to wipe away excess sweat. Try using a water-based product like the Hydrosol to feel refreshed while maintaining your pH balance and eliminating sweat and odor. The light blend of Rosemary, Orange Blossom, and Rose Water makes the Hydrosol an antimicrobial powerhouse that can help prevent skin irritation and body breakouts.
Balance Sweaty Skin
Hydrosol is an antimicrobial powerhouse. Spray it on your yoga mat or other workout equipment so you can rest assured that you won't transfer bacteria between you and your mat. SHOP NOW |
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2. Dry off well before getting dressed
After your shower, make sure your vulva is thoroughly dry before getting dressed. Getting dressed while your vulva is still wet can trap excess moisture around your vaginal area, which can cause yeast or bacterial overgrowth, leading to infection or imbalance.
Instead of immediately getting dressed after bathing, try slowing down and creating a personal care ritual while you get ready. Take your time moisturizing your skin with Body Oil, or tending to your skincare routine to give your vulva time to air dry before getting dressed.
3. Try not to live in workout clothes 24/7
I know it’s tempting to live in leggings – workout clothes are just so damn comfortable. However, when you are constantly wearing tight workout clothes, or worse, not changing out of your workout clothes post-activity, clothing items that lay close to the skin and trap in heat can leave you vulnerable to infection.
Though I regularly shower and change post-workout, in the past I would immediately put on another pair of leggings which wasn’t providing the breathability I needed to maintain a healthy pH. I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s made that mistake. Make sure you’re alternating tight-fitting synthetic fabrics with loose breathable clothing items to promote breathability.
Create a Strong Foundation For Vulvovaginal Health With
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Prevent Ingrown Hairs
You just need a few drops of the jojoba oil based bath and body Tonic oil concentrate. The antimicrobial Tea Tree Oil soothes irritation from razor burn and can help prevent and eradicate stubborn ingrown hairs — should you choose to remove your body hair, of course.
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