A guide to practical vulva care ☾

Today we're talking practical tips for keeping your vulva happy & healthy. So let's just dive right in, shall we?

Wear underwear made from natural materials.

This one is super important. Think organic bamboo, cotton, and hemp. Synthetic materials can trap moisture and promote bacteria growth, not to mention those toxic ingredients being right up next to your very absorbent vaginal tissue.

My absolute favorite brand for this is Hu-ha, which makes incredibly comfortable (and sexy, in a down-to-earth kind of way) underwear made from tencel and infused with zinc. Pact is good, too.

ALWAYS pee after sex!

This is huge (and hugely overlooked). During sex (any kind of sex), bacteria can migrate into our urethra and (potentially) cause a UTI. If you've ever been cursed with a UTI, you know how miserable they can be. Always pee after sex!

Get plenty of vulva-loving phytonutrients. 

Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are all especially important for nourishing vulva tissue. Think citrus fruits, berries, pineapple, cranberry, dark chocolate, avocado, pumpkin seeds, leafy greens & red meat.

Opt for nontoxic period products. 

Conventional pads & tampons are full of endocrine disrupting, allergenic & straight up carcinogenic ingredients. And all of those toxins right next to our very absorbent, sensitive tissue on a regular basis? That can lead to some serious irritation.

When choosing periods products, always choose organic! Look for unbleached & fragrance-free. Opt for materials like hemp & bamboo. Watch out for plastic (& if you're opting for tampons, always look for BPA-free or biodegradable applicators).

 My favorites are the hemp pads from Rif care (I shared about them on instagram so much they gave us a discount code – you can get 15% off with the code MOONBEAM). 

Want a reusable option? My top picks are Saalt, Aisle, & Period.co. 

Let your blood flow freely.

If you've been around for a while, you might already know that I'm not the biggest fan of internal period products like tampons and menstrual cups. They can actually put a lot of pressure on our pelvic bowl, contribute to cramping, and irritate our vaginal mucosa.  

But this goes a step further. There are actually stem cells in our menstrual blood that help to nourish and heal our vaginal & vulvar tissue (this is why some people love menstrual blood face masks). When we let the blood flow freely by using pads, menstrual underwear, or even free bleeding, we allow our tissues to saturate in those stem cells. It's almost as if our cyclical body is magic… ꩜

Avoid harsh soaps, douches, fragranced laundry detergent, and fabric softener. 

The vagina is self cleaning, and contrary to popular belief we do not need to douche. Hot water is generally enough to keep things clean down there, but if you must, you can use a little gentle (nontoxic) soap externally (never internally!).

 It's also important to opt for nontoxic laundry products, as any toxins used for washing our underwear or towels can end up interfacing with our vulva tissue.

Touch your tissue.

Vulva massage with a gentle oil helps moisten & bring blood flow to the tissue. This helps keep things supple and brings fresh oxygen to the entire pelvic region. For soothing dryness, you can apply a little calendula infused oil or pure aloe gel. 

Sleep naked.

Let your vulva breathe! Not only does it help you feel comfortable with your body, it can actually help prevent BV and yeast infections. Many of the microbes that lead to vaginal infections are anaerobic, meaning they can't survive in the presence of oxygen. Win, win if you ask me.

Pelvic floor & hip stretches.

 Stretching it out helps release tension and promote pelvic blood flow, which nourishes and hydrates vulva tissue.

Janelle Howell, DPT aka the Vagina Rehab Doctor has some amazing resources on this – I especially love her e-book on stretches for releasing vaginal tension. 

A safe, present, emotionally available partner.

For the majority of women, feeling safe and relaxed is a prerequisite for arousal. It also takes at least 20 minutes for the average woman to become fully aroused (all those movies where she comes in 10 seconds? Not so much).  

Sex (especially penetrative sex) before you're fully aroused can lead to irritation and even tearing of your vulva & vaginal tissue. On the other hand, fulfilling and pleasurable sex once you've reached peak arousal can actually nourish your tissue.

Practice good sex hygiene. 

Always wash your hands and sex toys before they touch your vulva. If you're having sex with a partner, make sure their hands are clean, too. Rinse after receiving oral sex. Avoid anal-to-vagina contact. And always pee afterwards (did I say that already?).

Use nontoxic condoms and lube.

This is important for the same reason nontoxic period products are important – conventional condoms & lube are full of toxic ingredients. For condoms, Lola & Here We Flo are great. For lube, opt for coconut or jojoba oil, or a nontoxic water-based one like Lola for a condom-safe option. 

And finally, loving and accepting your own unique anatomy

Despite what the media, porn, biology textbooks or general discourse may have you believe, there's no one right way for a vulva to look. They come in all shapes and sizes. So many women carry insecurity or shame around what their vulva looks like – but truly, no two vulvas look the same. 

As my teacher Aviva Romm says, "Being at war with your body, hating on yourself, wishing you were different – none of this activates your healing capacities; it just makes you more miserable. Healing starts when you realize you're actually a whole, amazing human being." Or in this case, it starts when you realize you actually have a beautiful, perfectly unique vulva. 

If you want to see a beautiful representation of the diversity of vulvas, check out the labia library (just a head's up, this is NOT safe for work). I also love The Vulva Gallery on instagram

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If you like this blog, you'll love Cycles.

Cycles is a membership community dedicated to cyclical wellness for your body, spirit, heart, and shadow ꩜

“I absolutely love being part of the Cycles community! The space feels so freeing and open. Every call I've attended has been a joy, and I've enjoyed meeting others who are also on this journey. The whole vibe is refreshingly wholesome, sweet, and magical. I highly recommend this space to anyone wanting to be in a loving community while deepening their understanding of wellness, body literacy, and the wisdom in cyclical living.” Bri

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This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you’re experiencing sudden or irregular menstrual concerns, or have any concerns about your reproductive health, it’s best to consult your doctor or a trusted healthcare professional.