Training

How do I take care of my intimate health during intense training?

Exercise is good for your body in so many ways. It prevents many types of health issues, helps you maintain a healthy body weight, boosts your mood, and increases your energy levels.

But many women experience discomfort in the genital area from exercise. Why is that?

What problems can occur? Intimate discomfort from the vagina and labia is not uncommon if you exercise a lot. Glands on the labia and in the vagina produce sweat, which can lead to discomfort in the genital area when you give your all in the gym, especially if you wear inappropriate clothing. Often the symptoms are mild, but for some women, the discomfort can become pronounced and negatively affect their quality of life. Examples of symptoms that may occur:

  • infections
  • red mucous membranes
  • irritated mucous membranes
  • chafing of the mucous membranes
  • strong odor from the vagina

InfectionsYeast thrives in the warm and moist environment that a sweaty genital area creates. The yeast Candida albicans is a natural part of our gut flora, but if it occurs in excessive amounts, it can become a major problem. This yeast thrives in the warm and moist environment that a sweaty genital area creates. Examples of symptoms of a yeast infection:

  • a thick, white discharge
  • that resembles cottage cheese
  • vaginal itching, which can be intense
  • burning in the vagina, especially when in contact with urine
  • painful sex
  • red mucous membranes

Most yeast infections do not go away on their own, so if you suspect a yeast infection, you should consult your doctor.
Bacterial Vaginosis: Another type of infection that thrives in warm, sweaty environments is bacterial vaginosis (BV). Normally, a variety of bacteria are present in the vagina, but with BV, one or more of these bacteria have multiplied, causing an imbalance. Symptoms of BV can include grayish-yellow, thin discharge that is sometimes foamy. The odor can be described as fishy and often becomes stronger during menstruation.
Read more about bacterial vaginosis.
What can I do to prevent it?Many women do not think about their intimate health until symptoms appear. Here are some habits to adopt to avoid problems.

  • Avoid sweaty underwear and pants after exercise.
  • Avoid tight tights that do not breathe or that chafe during exercise.
  • Wear cotton underwear.
  • Never ignore symptoms and do not wait for them to disappear on their own. You may have an infection.

Do not use regular soap for your intimate hygiene. Instead, use a cleanser that is adapted to the genital area and does not alter your sensitive pH balance. We recommend VagiVital’s gentle V-Cleanser, which consists of VagiVital Active Gel and botanical oil.