The short explanation
Plain water is enough for most women. The vagina cleans itself naturally and has a balance of healthy bacteria that keeps infections away. You only need to wash the outer area, the vulva, gently with water. A mild, unscented soap can be used on the outer skin if you like, but it is not necessary. Intimate washes, scented products and douching, which means washing inside the vagina, can upset the natural balance and may make irritation or infections such as bacterial vaginosis and thrush more likely. During periods, changing pads regularly and washing the outer area are what matter most for hygiene.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Wiping from front to back after using the toilet helps keep germs from the back passage away from the vagina.
- Some normal smell during periods is expected. A strong fishy smell, unusual discharge, itching or pain may be a sign of infection that needs checking.
- Cotton underwear and avoiding very tight clothing can help reduce moisture and irritation.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether any symptoms you have are normal. If you have itching, a strong smell or discharge, a doctor can examine you.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is plain water enough for washing during periods?
- Could products I use be causing irritation?
- What symptoms suggest an infection?
- What should I avoid using on the vaginal area?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days if you have itching, unusual discharge, a strong smell or pain.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment if irritation keeps coming back after periods.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Heavy periods NHS
- Period pain NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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