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Showering during your period might initially cause some anxiety, as menstrual flow tends to be heavier during the peak days of your cycle. However, daily showers while menstruating are completely safe and beneficial for your health. You can use specific methods to prevent irritation, odors, and infections while showering during your period. Additionally, there are ways to keep your vaginal area clean even when it’s not time to shower.
Steps
Preventing Irritation, Odors, and Infections
Remove your pad, tampon, or menstrual cup before showering. There’s no issue with allowing your vagina to bleed during the shower. Menstrual blood will flow straight down the drain. If you’re wearing a pad, the brown or red-tinted liquid you see going down the drain is likely old blood stuck to your pubic hair. Washing it away is essential. Leaving old blood uncleaned can cause odors and increase the risk of infection.
- Don’t worry about the bathroom being stained with blood. Menstrual blood won’t stay long enough to cause this. Just keep the water running until you finish showering, and then check if any traces of blood need to be rinsed down the drain.
- If showering at a gym or other public place, you can keep your tampon or menstrual cup in during the shower if preferred.
Shower or take a bath at least once a day during your period. Regular bathing during menstruation is essential to prevent odors and reduce the risk of infections. Aim to shower or bathe at least once daily. Some healthcare experts even recommend bathing twice a day during your menstrual cycle, such as in the morning and evening.
- Always ensure the bathtub is clean if you prefer bathing. Soaking in a dirty tub can lead to vaginal infections. Clean the tub with a disinfectant, like bleach, before use.
Use warm water to clean the vaginal area. Avoid strong or scented soaps and other intimate care products for cleaning the vagina. These are unnecessary and may cause irritation. Clean, warm water is the best solution for vaginal hygiene.
- If you prefer using soap, opt for a mild, fragrance-free variant and use a small amount to gently clean the external vaginal area.
Tip: If the sight of blood makes you uneasy, avoid looking at it! Instead, focus on a spot on the wall or the bathroom ceiling.
Wash from front to back to prevent infections. Washing from front to back—similar to how you wipe after using the toilet—is crucial to prevent bacteria and fecal matter from entering the vagina. While showering, let the water flow down the front of your body and over the vaginal area. If needed, you can gently separate the labia to allow water to rinse the inner folds.
- If you have a handheld showerhead, adjust it to spray water from front to back. Avoid washing from back to front.
- Refrain from using high-pressure settings on the showerhead. Keep it on a low-pressure setting for gentle cleaning.
Only clean the external vaginal area. The vagina is self-cleaning, so there’s no need to clean inside. Doing so can disrupt its natural pH balance and lead to infections. Avoid directing water into the vaginal canal. Focus on cleaning the external areas only.
Gently pat the external vaginal area dry with a clean, dry towel. After showering, use a clean, dry towel to softly dry the outer vaginal region. Avoid rubbing the skin around the vagina; simply pat it dry.
- If menstrual flow is heavy, dry other parts of your body first and leave the vaginal area for last.
Put on clean underwear and immediately use a fresh sanitary pad, tampon, or menstrual cup. Your menstrual cycle won’t stop after cleaning the vaginal area, though the flow may seem slower after a bath due to water pressure. However, you should wear fresh underwear and use menstrual products immediately to absorb the blood.
Keeping the vaginal area clean when it’s not time to shower
Use pH-balanced feminine wipes as needed during your period. You can purchase disposable feminine wipes designed to maintain vaginal pH balance, ensuring they don’t cause irritation or increase infection risks. Wipe the external vaginal area from front to back.
- If disposable wipes aren’t available, you can use a clean washcloth with warm water to clean the area, then rinse the cloth thoroughly and add it to your laundry.
- Ensure the wipes are fragrance-free to avoid irritation.
- These wipes are typically found in the feminine hygiene section of grocery stores and pharmacies.
Change sanitary pads, tampons, or menstrual cups regularly to prevent leaks and odors. Failing to change menstrual products frequently can lead to leaks, staining your underwear and clothes, and may also cause unpleasant odors. Check your pad, tampon, or cup each time you use the restroom and replace it as needed.
Warning: Do not leave a tampon in the vagina for more than 8 hours. Prolonged use of a tampon can lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Avoid feminine washes and deodorants. These products can disrupt the vaginal pH balance and lead to infections. A mild vaginal odor is normal. However, if the smell is strong or unpleasant, consult a gynecologist.
- A fishy or foul odor can sometimes indicate an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis.
Wash your hands before and after changing menstrual products. Dirty hands can introduce harmful bacteria into the vagina, so washing your hands before handling pads, tampons, or menstrual cups is a good practice. Wash your hands afterward to prevent bacteria from spreading to other areas.
Tips
- Change pads or tampons regularly. You’ll feel cleaner and fresher.
- Attach a pad to your underwear in advance so you can put it on immediately after showering, avoiding any hassle.
- Use an old, dark-colored towel or cloth to dry the intimate area if it gets soiled.
- Wear breathable clothing made from natural fibers.
Warnings
- Not showering during your period can increase the risk of infections and unpleasant odors. Showering while menstruating is completely safe, so continue your daily bathing routine.
What You’ll Need
- Clean, warm water
- Mild, fragrance-free soap (optional)
- Clean, dry towel
- Fresh sanitary pad, tampon, or menstrual cup
- Clean underwear
