Only Water for Personal Hygiene in Me and My Kids?

Are you having yeast infections, irritations, or anything like that? That might be why she said that.
Although the system is "self-cleaning" I would say a gentle soap is OK. NOT Ivory. Dove is better.

I was told by my doctor to do this also. It is self cleaning. Still wash the boys parts with soap though but you don't want to get soap in the vagina.

That is not just one opinion vs medical fact as someone states below... it is actual fact. The vagina IS a self-cleaning organ - meaning you don't want to wash inside or douche as so many people think!! Does that mean not to clean externally?? Heck NO!! Good hygeine is important - but soap is not needed to do this!

Now, I am not saying don't wash your private parts - use a washcloth and water - if you use soap - it is NOT reccomended to use antibacterial or perfumed soaps - I had a vulvar specialist and dermatologist tell me unscented Dove only (for all washing - but I use a deoderant soap for upper body),

Most women probably don't have problems washing with soap or using feminine hygeine products - but I do - I have to use unscented, unbleached, cotton only products.

There are many good, natural baby cleaning products - if you bathe your daughter and wash her with a washcloth - you are adequately cleaning her privates. Many soaps and wipes can irritate a child's vulva - so just be aware.

Again - most people don't have reactions to soaps and chemicals - so it is fine to wash with whatever you want - is it medically necessary and reccomended - NO - is it preferred my most - YES!

Marda P. said it well. An odd comparison, but take your nose-- yes, you can clean the outside of it, probably could use some soap to remove dirt and oil. But inside? Why would you put soap up inside something that is constantly cleaning itself? (and imagine how uncomfortable) It's kind of the same idea. Outside= soap okay. Inside mucus membranes= no no.

I always soaped up the boys "down there" but not the girls. If I use soap in that area, I come down with an infection within a few days -- always. Like others said, it's self-cleaning. Introducing harsh chemicals upsets the natural balance of the body.

I can understand why your doctor strongly recommended to never ever use soap again to wash the vulva and vagina, I do not use soap at all anymore. I have been using Arbonne's Baby Hair & Body Wash there for years because it is pH correct, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested. I personally would not use soap anywhere on my children.

All the best
B.

I am not a naturalist, and I do use soap, but yes, this is medical fact. Your body should be doing a good job of creating the proper balance in there and keeping you clean. Your body has a harder time doing that if you use soaps, etc.

If you really need to use something to clean yourself externally, I have heard (but don't know if it is true, you should double check) that white vinegar and water is good to clean with. Similar to a douche, but NOT internal. Just to get the outside clean. Like I said, I still use soap, but you could look into that.

Your daughter should follow the same rules as you. With boys, you don't have to be as careful, since you aren't scrubbing him internally. But even boys still shouldn't sit in bubble baths or soapy water for very long. It can give them UTI's. Girls can get both UTI's and yeast infections.

okay that sounds like one dr's opinion, not medical fact. i would research that thoroughly on your own. you don't "have" to do whatever your dr. tells you, it's your body. i would not feel clean at all.

Your doctor is correct that the vagina is an self-cleaning organ. But, take into consideration the conditions people lived in 100-200 years ago and the tolerance people had for being smelly compared to what we tolerate now.

I personally wash both of my kids, and myself with soap, and have been lucky that my body chemistry hasn't had an issue.

Lately, I've found that I prefer to use the kids' soap (we still use baby wash even though they're 2 and almost 4 years old) for me personally. I'm training for a 1/2 marathon and am showering twice a day on the days I train, so I wanted something a little gentler for myself.

Personally, I'd continue to use the soap based products if it were me, but I'd make sure they were as mild as possible. Body chemistry (which is biological and hard to change) is the predominant factor in determining sensitivities.

I'd also recommend looking on sites such as Mayo Clinic, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, etc. to see what their recommendations are.

Having worked with physicians for a long time, there can be a practice with 5 physicians in it, and all have a completely different opinion on how to approach things.

You should be fine washing yourself carefully, just the external areas. If you are having infections or irritation, that might be why. I think you can actually buy special washes for those areas (in the personal care/lubricants areas) that might help. Douching is definitely not recommended as stated. I can remember how easy it was to get soap where it wasn't supposed to be as a child and had infections and lots of pain from it, so for a child, washing really well with just water is probably fine or very quickly on the outer areas with a mild bath soap--too easy to irritate little girls. Children do not get as "dirty" as we do in those areas anyway, so just make sure anything there is well-rinsed. Call you doctor and clarify if you have more questions, or ask to speak to a nurse. If your children go to a different doctor normally, check with your pediatrician.

It must be "opinion" by your gyno not medical fact because I have also never heard that or been told that by any gyno or doctor that I have ever gone to? I think it might be more of a personal thing. I personally would not feel clean if I didn't wash the privates with soap or body wash and have never had any problems in that area by doing so!

i think it is a little bit of both. I mainly use water, i do add tea tree oil to it 2 or 3 times a week. when it comes to washing the nether regions, on both the kids and myself, i just do a light and quick wash over the outside areas, never inside. we also use a naturally based soap on all of us to help prevent any irritation.

Your doctor is right, soap is the worst thing to use for cleaning vulva and vagina. The vagina is a self cleaning organ and has a delicate ph balance that soap will distroy and then the " bad guys" can take over and then you get things like yeast infections and well, not to gross anyone out, but also a " fishy" smell. Not even douching is good. If you shower every day and clean the area with plenty warm water you will be clean enough. Also go easy with soap and bubble bath for your daughter. Her little system is even more sensitive.

Hi D..

Soaps are harsh and truly, I have had a dermatologist tell me only to use soap on the stinky areas of the body and run water over the rest of the body. (BTW, I wash my entire body, lol) All skin is delicate, some areas more than others. I do use a natural, french milled glycerin bar instead of soap, called the Gold Bar. I feel clean and have not exposed myself to the harshness of soaps. It's safe for little ones as well.

God bless,
M.

The reason to not use soap on the inside is because not only will it irritate the delicate skin, but it also upsets the pH balance, which makes it easier to get infections. If soap gets into the urinary tract, that can also cause issues.

While the vagina is a self-cleaning system that does not require things like douching to be clean, living down here in steamy Florida there is no way I'd feel clean without using soap on my outer lady parts!

There is nothing wrong with using a gentle soap to clean the parts that are on the outside and the same goes for your daughter. Again, the inside takes care of itself but the outside is totally different. You do want to avoid harsh soaps and things like bubble baths on a regular basis as they can be irritating.

I use a gentle anti-bacterial soap (Dial white) as it gets pretty yucky here in Florida and for my almost 2 year old and my 5 year old son I use a free and clear type body wash for kids so it has no added dyes or fragrance.

I would talk to your gyn and their ped... see what both say and maybe tell each Dr. what the other has said or suggested and see if they agree. I have never heard of not using soap. Do you have sensitive skin? or are suseptible to UTIs or any other infections? I don't understand why the Dr. would tell you not to use soap... I have heard that you really should sleep without panties to let it "breathe", but thats it...

I am 42 years old with two kids & I have NEVER heard of not using soap in the vaginal area. I have never had a problem using soap. Self cleansing? I don't think so! As I have gotten older, the odor has gotten stronger, there is no way I would not use soap. Goodness gracious! All the directions on how & where to use soap and not use soap - are you kidding me? The area is too small to follow those directions - taking a shower would become a chore if I had to be THAT careful.

If your daughter is in a diaper - use soap! There is no way around the pea & poop getting up in the folds - and water ain't gonna clean it!

I know the naturalists won't agree, but unless you are prone to infections - soap won't hurt you.

Hi!
I use regular soap on my body, including girl parts, but Antibacterial on my bum. To use no soap I think is playing with fire. We have so many germs and different strains, it is so easy to pick it up and become ill. I would see nothing wrong with regular soap every where....it was invented centuries ago once they learned about germs, but not before people were ill from what we today see a simple little things. There are natural green creams to keep the vagina flora healthy....even yogurt topically. I would not be comfortable with that gyn. Nikki

I have heard this for sure about douche. The mere idea of douching gives me the squeevies.

I have also heard something similar regarding SOME soaps. Namely anti-bacterial, perfumed, dyed soaps. These are not *necessary* for women's external genital area. Too much of this kind of soap can do many things in SOME women (increased risk of yeast infection, UTI...). But I am sure with the all-natural/green phenomena sweeping the country, you can find a mild soap that you feel is getting the lady business clean without getting it irritated.

As for your daughter....Same rules apply. But be sure to avoid bubble bath or soaking in a tub after she has been soaped up and rinsed off.

I'm sorry, but I don't care who tells me not to use soap and water on the genital area. Obviously, you want to use a gentle soap with plenty of water and rinse thoroughly after washing, but it is impossible to remove the sweat and other bodily fluids and materials that are resident to this area of the body without soap. I don't think you need or should douche unless for a specific medical condition. The vagina is self cleaning. The external genitalia, however need to be regularly washed.