When we were little girls we all dreaded “the talk”. Whether it came from our mom, Aunt Suzie, or the school nurse, none of us wanted to hear about all of that icky girl stuff. Fast forward a few years and we realize that those pointers Aunt Suzie shared are now way outdated. So how’s a girl supposed to know what’s best for her “down there”? That’s where we come in. We’re about to drop some knowledge on the 10 best ways to keep your vagina healthy and happy, so sit back and relax…we got ya covered! Tip 1: Don’t Forget The Trojans And no, we’re not talking about Greek soldiers here…we’re talking condoms. Not only do these handy little buggers protect from unwanted pregnancy and STDs, one study now shows  that they help keep your vagina’s pH in check so all of those good bacteria can live comfortably and do their jobs fighting off UTIs and yeast infections. Just another reason to use protection, and you heard it here first!  Tip 2: It’s Cotton Panties or Nothing Then next time you’re purchasing panties, consider what’s best for your body. Your vaginal area tends to retain heat and moisture. Choosing cotton panties helps absorb some of that moisture and keeps things dry and comfy. And hey, if you’ve got nowhere to go and you’re just hanging around the apartment, consider going without undies and give your vagina a breather. She will definitely thank you. Tip 3: Kick Up The Kegels Everyone knows what kegels are, right? They’re those amazing exercises that strengthen the muscles in your pelvic area allowing for better bladder control. Doing kegels also has been proven to increase the intensity of your orgasms…and who wouldn’t want that, right? Want the most for your kegel experience? Check out this amazing gadget from Minna Life called the Kgoal. If you’ve tried it before, be sure to comment on this post and let us know what you think! Tip 4: Snack Like The Greeks Well, as far as yogurt is concerned anyway. Gnoshing on Greek yogurt is a great way to boost your hoohooo’s good bacteria because of the live cultures it contains. Boosting that good bacteria, again, is a fabulous way to prevent pesky UTI’s and yeast infections. A word of caution: read your labels. Don’t get caught up eating Greek yogurt that is high in sugar. That will do more harm than good. Tip 5: Come Hell or High Water, Get to Your Annual Exam Seriously, what could you have going on that is more important than seeing your GYN for your annual exam? Yeah, yeah…I know, you hate doctors blah, blah, blah…just go. Make the appointment and go. This is a perfect opportunity to get your lady parts tuned up, check for any irregularities, and ask any lingering questions you may have. You especially do not want to delay your annual exam if you have a family history of feminine issues. One visit could save your life. Tip 6: Never Hesitate to Lubricate Vaginal dryness is no laughing matter. It can sometimes be caused by prescription medication, menopause, or occur post-pregnancy. Having sex without being properly lubricated can not only be extremely painful, but it can also cause abrasions inside your vagina that then become susceptible to infection. Take a moment and use some form of lubrication. You never know…it just may be fun! Tip 7: Ditch The Douche A woman’s body is an amazing machine. We were created with the innate ability to regulate all things vagina all on our own. Go Team Hoohoo! Using douching products are completely unnecessary and can actually increase the risk of UTIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, STDs, and infection. When in doubt throw the douche out. (I guess this could apply to some significant others as well. Perfect!) Tip 8: Take It Easy In Spin We can all agree that exercise is beneficial and an important part of staying healthy. As with everything though, there are injury risks and your vagina is no exception. Cycling is one way to get a total body workout in a short period of time, but sitting on those uncomfortable bike seats could be doing more harm than good. Researchers suggest that frequent spin sessions could cause vaginal numbness, pain, and tingling. Standing while you ride or wearing padded bike shorts can decrease the risk of injury to your vaginal area. Tip 9: Limit Your Antibiotic Intake We’ve talked a lot about how important it is to maintain your levels of good bacteria in your vagina in order to fight off pesky infections and UTIs. Antibiotics are yet another threat to your good bacteria. Now, we’re not saying to skip out on taking meds your doctor has prescribed, but if you have to be on antibiotics you can stock up on foods such as Greek yogurt that will help increase those bacteria levels and keep things healthy down under. Tip 10: Say Good-Bye to Scented Soap Everyone loves to step out of the shower smelling like fresh rain or a summer waterfall, but those chemical-laden scented soaps can be harsh on your most delicate parts. Soaps tend to have ingredients in them that dry out the sensitive skin in the vaginal area, and as we mentioned before our bodies are amazing machines. Our vaginas have the ability to cleanse themselves, so really all that is needed in the shower is a quick rinse with warm water. We also suggest using our Gentle Feminine Wash that will leave you feeling clean without the harsh chemicals from regular soaps. We want to hear what you have to say. Which one of these tips was your favorite? Leave us a comment and let’s continue the conversation!  Finally, want click HERE to find out how to choose the right condom for you!