Vinegar instead of soap for cleaning vag

ilovehouses · March 2010

My friend's gyno suggested that she cleanse her vaginal area with vinegar instead of soap. He said she was destroying all of the good bacteria. She has since said that she has seen an improvement with the scent, and the vinegar smell goes away after ten minutes. Anyone else try this?

Just wanted to add, originally I had a typo in the title. I had spelled "soup" instead of "soap." That would have been a really funny title. "Vinegar instead of soup for cleaning vag"

Lil'BlackDress · March 2010

I don't see hot the acid in vinegar would kill less good bacteria?

mnmccloud · March 2010

I'm SHOCKED to hear that a physician is recommending she cleanse herself with anything other than soap and water. I'm a Physician Assistant student- and am in the midst of GYN- and that's a no-no in the medical community. As for killing more of the 'good bacteria' with soap versus vinegar- theres no way that would be an issue unless she was douching with it. Gently cleansing the vaginal area when showering doesn't really allow for the introduction of water and soap into the vagina enough to have a significant affect on her natural flora. Just my two cents. :0)

ilovehouses · March 2010

Should I add, this is only for the exterior. Not the interior of the vagina. He said it's self cleansing and she shouldn't dousche (sp?).

eyelovemascara · March 2010

I am glad to see that we have a physician's assistant on the board! Hooray for good advice from a reputable source!

Also, yes, douching = bad.

Maybride2 · March 2010

I think that either your friend is full of sh_t, or her doctor is a complete whack-job that needs to lose his medical license.

How on earth would vinegar destroy less bacteria? It's typically very acidic and used in many "green" household cleaners.

Normal body soap shouldn't be changing the flora in her vagina. If her smell is really that noticeable, she's got some health issues going on that soaking her cooch in vinegar isn't going to fix.

philjoy · March 2010

I'm not a medical student by any means, but as someone who took chem classes in college, the effect of the soap or vinegar will depend on the pH requirement of the good bacteria. Since vinegar is acidic and soap is basic, they are going to kill/be hospitible to different things. What is the pH requirements of the good bacteria down there?

OMG Guinea Pigs!! · March 2010

I just use water, and I smell like roses.

ashleym909 · March 2010

i ABSOULTELY hate the smell of vinegar!!!!! i dont care what the dr says, im using my dove soap and warm water to clean my vag! yuck! bleh!

TupeloChick · March 2010

The smell of vinegar makes me want to color eggs!

ashleym909 · March 2010

TupeloChick:
The smell of vinegar makes me want to color eggs!

lol...this is the only time of year i really smell that sh!t

mnmccloud · March 2010

Hmmm...if your friend is having a noticeable odor involving her vulva- and that is why the doctor is recommending the use of vinegar for exterior cleansing- the only issue I can think of is that she may have candida (yeast). Is she heavyset (ie large skin folds in her genital area)? If shes not properly cleaning herself when she is showering- or isn't drying herself well enough- she could have a yeasty-like odor (<--which unfortunately I've had the pleasure of smelling one too many times in heavyset patients).

TarponMonoxide · March 2010

There's no need to douche. The vagina is self cleaning.

It's a no brainer that the pubic area has a scent. If you notice a change, see your doc.

LoveBug10-09 · March 2010

*laughs* This. I wonder what effect it would have on my hubby.

blenderdance · March 2010

I'm just picturing being a guest taking a shower...how do you explain, "hey, why do you have vinegar in your shower next to the body wash?" "Oh you know, it's for cleaning my vag..."

jadeorchid21 · March 2010

I thought vinegar and water was used in a douche to remove funny smells down there. It is okay to clean with soap and water. . . unless there is a pH problem down there but you do not want to continuously wash with soap and water. . . it may just throw off the imbalance and you need the good flora to flourish!

Hurricane38 · March 2010

I deushe every month after my period is done. I had no idea it was bad... why?

ilovehouses · March 2010

He says not to douche. She's not overweight, and yes, was told she had too much yeast.

So far she said it's helped her. She hasn't had a yeast infection since, and she was getting them often.

BBgurl · March 2010

Yeah, you should change the title of your post then because I originally thought, *um, your vag cleans itself*.

Anyway, I think my mom did that once or for whatever reason, she had a bottle of vinegar in the bathroom when I went to visit her so I made assumptions.

For outer cleaning, I use 'Lemisol'. Best.thing.ever.

PURPLEME · March 2010

I cleanse my private parts with Dial antibacterial soap.....its not harsh....just dont get the (original )yellow bar soap --that one seems harsh..

.....get the aloe dial bar soap or the white dial bar soap...I stay fresh all day....it really helps....I told my 3 sisters about it and they swear by it too!

I have never heard of lemisol....interesting..Im gonna look it up

TupeloChick · March 2010

Hurricane38:
I deushe every month after my period is done. I had no idea it was bad... why?

Because douching not only gets rid of the bad bacteria but the good bacteria that regulates the balance of the vag too. When you're vag is not balanced you get yeast infections and other problems. I used to douche - back about 20-25 years ago it was actually still recommended - and I was always getting yeast infections but once I stopped douching I've never gotten another one.

BBgurl · March 2010

PURPLEME:
I cleanse my private parts with Dial antibacterial soap.....its not harsh....just dont get the (original )yellow bar soap --that one seems harsh..
.....get the aloe dial bar soap or the white dial bar soap...I stay fresh all day....it really helps....I told my 3 sisters about it and they swear by it too!

I have never heard of lemisol....interesting..Im gonna look it up

It's very popular amongst the Hispanic culture. I believe it's made in the Dominican Republic. It is AMAZING and I've been using it since I first got my period as a teen. Highly recommend.

http://www.amazon.com/Lemisol-Feminine-Refreshing-Cleansing-Solution/dp/B001O8PP1Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1269809353&sr=1-2

(sorry not clicky)

Vinegar instead of soap for cleaning vag

Re: Vinegar instead of soap for cleaning vag

Choose Another Board

Search Boards