Hi,

I know this topic has been covered a few times before, but I was just wondering if we could go back over a few tips for managing the health aspects of wam and vaginas?

I know that the biggest risk is yeast infections, but is the best way to manage these just to avoid using sweet foods around that area, or to wash / douche after using, or something else?

What are the risks of using something like natrosol?

Do you think that there's a significant difference between a hysterectomised person, and one with a womb?

Thanks,

Tilly

Scrubbing, too much soap or doucheing is what CAUSES imbalances and leads to thrush problems.

Lots of rinsing with warm water is all that is needed. Sugary things and syrups are water soluble and dissolve easily with enough water. No problemo

Natrosol slime is generally very safe and inert and indeed most lube contains it. KY jelly is 90% methylcellulose

rinse well but no scrubbing or doucheing is a good general rule. I've had allsorts up my fanjo for hours and sat in cake batter filled plastic knickers for hours and never had a problem because I'm careful not to be brutal with soap or scrubbing.

The above all certainly applies to a vulva/labia/external but on the subject of the actual internal areas I am not sure if a surgically created vagina has a mucous membrane like a cis one, but if it does then any liquidy stuff finding its way inside the vagina will make its own way out. That is a process that is ongoing after you shower and I recommend just rinsing again if you don't feel clean later on.

If it doesn't then I imagine a quick douche actually would be a good idea

Now THAT is a version of the question I don't ever remember seeing. I'm hoping you get a clear answer on it. Might want to ask a doctor.

But again, as Candy mentioned, this stuff is used in KY, so I would think you should be fine.

Candy, as ever, an amazingly detailed and comprehensive reply and plenty to think about! I'm not sure about mucous membranes, I've been told that it's unlikely that I will self-lubricate but what exactly that means about mucous membranes I'm not sure!


I'm asking on here to save the awkward question to my gynecologist! Although I could probably phrase it around going swimming or on the beach...?

The reason I ask about hysterectomies is because the top of my vagina is sealed off, like it would be in a hysterectomised cisgender woman (biologically, I will be treated like a hysterectomised woman - ie, everything from the cervix upward will be missing). I was just wondering whether that makes a difference to hygiene regime, or whether mess won't reach that far up the vagina anyway?

It's the potential for bacterial growth in the vagina that poses a risk with wam stuff. The vag is a dark, wet place that has its own flora that, when irked, can develop an infection. It doesn't matter if you've had a hysterectomy or are trans- what goes on above the actual vaginal canal (past the cervix) doesn't matter- it's about the actual vagina itself. So if you get, say, chocolate an inch up you and don't clean it out and it pisses off your vagina, you can definitely get an infection (most likely a yeast infection). Don't let that scare you though! It is very doable to wam and even have sex in it and not have any consequences. I make sure I'm not deliberately putting anything inside of me and then clean off with warm water immediately after a sesh. Honestly if you really make sure you've cleaned yourself out with warm water, you should be good

Ace, thanks! I've learnt that I will be douching my new vagina with warm water every day for the rest of my life, so clearly I just need to make sure that I wash it until the water runs clean!