Genital health
Genital skin hygiene involves keeping the skin in and around the genital area clean and healthy. This is important to prevent infections, irritation, and discomfort.
The vulva is the outside part of the genitals. This includes the labia, clitoris, vaginal opening and the skin around them.
The vagina is the inside passage. The vagina cleans itself naturally by making fluid, often called vaginal discharge. You do not need to wash inside it.
A 'normal' vulva and vagina is usually:
- Moist: The vagina naturally produces fluid to keep itself clean and maintain a healthy balance of bacteria. This fluid is known as vaginal discharge. Discharge is white or clear, and people normally notice it on their underwear as either a damp spot or when its dried and becomes hard and crusted. This discharge is due to the hormone oestrogen, and bacteria that are normally present in the vagina. The amount of discharge varies from person to person, and can change according to different stages of the menstrual cycle. Vaginal discharge usually starts to occur in the months or years before the first period.
- Slightly acidic: The vagina has a naturally acidic pH that helps protect against infections.
- Odor: It may have a mild, natural scent, but strong, unpleasant odors could indicate an infection.
- Different in colour and shape: Vulvas come in many shapes, sizes and colours. The skin of the vulva may be darker than other parts of the body. Labia can be even, uneven, tucked in, longer, shorter, wrinkly or smooth. This is usually normal.
It’s important to note that each person’s body is different, and the “normal” state can vary from person to person. If you notice anything unusual, like strong odors, unusual discharge, pain, or itching, it's a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be the sign of an infection:
- An unusual change in discharge, especially if it becomes green, yellow, grey, frothy, thick, clumpy, or has a strong smell
- Itching, burning, swelling, redness or soreness
- Pain when passing urine
- Pain during sex or sexual activity
- Bleeding between periods, after sex, or bleeding that is unusual for you
- Lower tummy or pelvic pain
- Blisters, sores, cuts, spots, rashes or lumps around the vulva, vagina or anus.
The normal appearance of a penis can vary a lot.
- Colour/shape: The skin may be smooth, wrinkly, darker than the rest of the body, or slightly pink/red around the tip, also called the glans.
- Foreskin: Some people have a foreskin, which is the skin that covers the tip of the penis. Some people are circumcised, which means the foreskin has been removed.
- Discharge: A small amount of clear fluid can come from the penis when someone is sexually aroused. This is normal. Thick, yellow, green, white or unusual discharge is not normal and should be checked.
- Erections are also normal. During puberty, erections can happen at random times and do not always mean someone is thinking about sex.
It is a good idea to get checked by a healthcare provider or sexual health clinic if you notice:
- Any unusual discharge from the penis
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Pain, swelling or tenderness in the testicles
- Itching, burning, redness or soreness around the penis, foreskin, scrotum or anus
- Blisters, sores, cuts, spots, rashes or lumps around the genitals or anus
- Pain during sex or sexual activity.
The anus is the opening where poo comes out. The perianal area is the skin around the anus.
This skin is sensitive. It has folds and may be darker than the skin on other parts of the body. Some people have hair around the anus. This is normal.
It is normal for the area to need gentle cleaning after doing a poo. It should not need scrubbing, scented wipes, soaps, sprays or deodorants. Too much cleaning, harsh wiping, scented products, sweating, tight clothing or scratching can irritate the skin and make itching worse.
It is a good idea to get checked by a healthcare provider or sexual health clinic if you notice:
- Ongoing itching, burning or soreness
- Pain when doing a poo
- Bleeding from the anus or blood on toilet paper
- Unusual anal discharge, mucus or pus
- New lumps, bumps, blisters, ulcers, cuts or warts
- A rash that does not settle
- Pain during or after anal sex
- A feeling that you need to poo even when you do not.
Some sexually transmissible infections can affect the anus or rectum, especially after anal sex. If you have had anal sex and need STI testing, tell the clinic or healthcare provider, because you may need an anal swab as well as a urine test, vaginal swab or blood test.
Washing your genitals
- Do not wash inside of your vagina.
- You don't need to wash inside the vagina - it's self-cleaning, so avoid douching (putting water up inside the vagina).
- For the vulva (outside of the vagina):
- Gently wash the outside of the vagina (the vulva) between the folds of skin with warm water and your hands. See a healthcare professional if cleaning is painful or difficult.
- Around the bottom also only requires warm water and your hands.
No! You just need water, many feminine wash products have fragrance which can be irritating to your skin, these products also have destructive messaging, a vagina is SUPPOSED TO SMELL LIKE A VAGINA, vaginas are not dirty, and certainly not any less clean than a penis.
- Gently wash the penis with warm water. If uncircumcised, gently pull back the foreskin and clean underneath with water (no soap needed) and then always pull the foreskin forward again to cover the head of the penis
- If circumcised, simply clean the penis with water
- The scrotum and around the bottom also only require warm water and your hands to clean with.
- After doing a poo, wipe gently from front to back.
- If needed, you can clean the area with warm water, wet toilet paper, a wet cloth, a bidet or a shower attachment. Plain water is best.
- Pat dry rather than rubbing. Keeping the area dry can help prevent irritation.
- Avoid scented wipes, perfumed toilet paper, talcum powder, deodorants, antiseptics or harsh soaps around the anus.
- Avoid scratching if the area is itchy, as scratching can break the skin and make irritation or infection worse.
Always dry the genital area by gently patting with a clean dry towel after washing.
General tips for genital skin health:
- Wear clean, breathable underwear. Cotton underwear can be helpful if you get irritation with synthetic materials
- Avoid tight clothing if it causes sweating or rubbing
- Change out of wet swimwear or sweaty sports gear when you can
- Change pads, tampons, period underwear or liners regularly during your period
- Wash sex toys between uses and avoid sharing them unless they are cleaned and/or covered with a new condom
- Use condoms or oral dams to reduce the chance of STIs during vaginal, anal or oral sex
- If something feels wrong, hurts, smells very different, or does not settle, it is okay to ask for help. Healthcare providers and sexual health clinics talk about these things all the time.
Remember: Taking care of your genitals is an important part of overall health. By practicing good hygiene and being mindful of any changes in your body, you can help maintain good genital health. Always remember, if you're unsure or if something feels wrong, it's important to talk to a trusted adult or healthcare provider.