“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Ah, sweet summertime. With more sunshine and hopefully less pressure to achieve, it’s the perfect time to plan your next adventure! Even a day’s escape from our normal routines can nourish our souls and refresh our spirits. Whatever your summer plans– consider the impact heat has on our bodies, including vaginal health. To thrive in this summer’s heat, continue to maintain your healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, quality sleep, a balanced diet and plenty of clean water to drink.

Every season impacts our bodies differently. In summer, especially when it’s hot—it’s important to increase hydration. If you’re camping, boating or hiking deep into the forest, always ensure there will be an adequate supply of clean drinking water. If you feel concerned that you may be dehydrated, check the color of your urine, the lighter the better. Dark urine may indicate dehydration.

Hydration is important to our overall health and that includes our sexual organs. Intense summer temps can easily throw off the vagina and an imbalance may lead to infection. Practicing a good hygiene routine is one way to help keep the vaginal ecosystem healthy in the summer months. It’s important to keep in mind that the vagina, the internal organ, is self-cleaning and moreover, the scents and perfumes in a lot of vaginal wash products can upset the delicate acidity of a healthy vaginal ecosystem. The vagina is overall acidic with a PH balance of 3.8-4.5 and while it’s not generally recommended to wash the inner part of your vagina, washing your vulvar area, the external genitals, is an important part of good hygiene. It’s also good vaginal hygiene to wash front to back and not miss the anus or perineum area. Though it’s possible to just use warm water for this on a day-to-day basis, using an unscented, mild feminine hygiene wash is generally considered okay for vulvar cleaning.

Showering regularly, changing pads and tampons on a regular basis, and wearing 100% cotton underwear also contribute to good vaginal health. It’s important to have air circulating there— think breathable linen or cotton clothing, sleep naked under the stars if you wish and avoid spending time in wet clothes from swimwear to sweaty shorts. Plan ahead and pack a change of clothes or an extra swimsuit. Clean, dry and breathable fabrics are good for vaginal health and may help keep you feeling fresh and comfortable wherever you go.

Don your wide brimmed hat and sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. If there’s room in the cooler–pack snacks with good bacteria like low sugar yogurt. Adventure awaits! May your planning ahead help ensure a happy healthy journey.

If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness or are curious about the best feminine hygiene products to keep your vaginal cleanliness in top shape, we recommend Good Clean Love’s Restore Moisturizing Vaginal Gel for internal use in maintaining vaginal pH and moisture, Balance Moisturizing Personal Wash for cleansing and balancing the vulvar region, and Rebalance pH-Balanced Feminine Wipes for on-the-go care.