Free Read My Lips by Debby Herbenick, Vanessa Schick Page B

on occasion, but if you opt to spend the day in leggings, try to air out your bits by sleeping in the nude, or at least going without panties, at night. Let your vulva and vagina breathe! Truly, you may be surprised by how many cases of genital itching could be prevented by wearing fewer layers, loose cotton underwear, or more natural, breathable fabrics. Try not to wear constrictive pantyhose or “shape” products (e.g., Spanx) too often.
Chemical irritants. You may not think twice about pouring bleach in the laundry, but that bleach may be irritating your lady bits. And if your male partner is using performance-enhancing condoms that help him to last longer, then your itching may be linked to the benzocaine or lidocaine that’s in some of those products. Or if you have ever thought it would be a good idea to sanitize your menstrual cup or sponge with tea tree oil, think again—that, too, can irritate women’s sensitive genitals. There have even been case reports of women experiencing genital irritation from newspaper ink. 2 That’s right—newspaper ink. It turns out that their partners were reading the newspaper in bed before sex. The ink got on their hands, and their hands got on their partner’s genitals, and next thing you know, there’s a case of mysteriously irritated genitals. If your bed partner reads the newspaper before bed, ask him or her to wash up before going any further. (Perhaps this is yet another reason why digital newspapers are a good option!)
Bath products. Although these probably belong in the “chemical irritant” section, bath products are so commonly linked to genital itching and irritation that they deserve their own mention. Women’s vaginal itching and irritation are commonly linked to fragranced products, and bath products are among the worst culprits. 2 Although these products may help create a relaxing, fragrant retreat out of your shower or bath, women find themselves less relaxed later when their bits begin to itch. If you choose to use fancy schmancy bath products anyway, try to use only a small amount and dilute them greatly with bath water.
Your lubricant. Although lubricant formulations are getting better every day, many lubricants that you’ll find on store shelves contain propylene glycol or chlorhexidine, which have also been linked to genital itching or irritation among women. 1 If you notice ongoing itching, check the labels of your lubricants and consider switching products.
Feminine hygiene products. Please forgive us for saying this over and over again, but feminine hygiene products such as douches, sprays, and deodorants can cause more harm than good. And they can definitely contribute to vulvar itching for some women.
Yogurt. Although Debby’s refrigerator is constantly stocked with dozens of cups of yogurt, her vagina is not. You won’t find any yogurt near our lady parts. Why? Because it doesn’t belong there. Forget what you may have read on the Internet about using yogurt down there to fight yeast infections. The next time you have an urge to put food of any kind on or in your genitals, check with your healthcare provider first, as even food—particularly when misplaced—can cause vulvar itching or irritation.
Yeast infections. Many women feel itchy down there and race to the drug store to get over-the-counter yeast medications. This can be a huge mistake. Why? Well, if you don’t have a yeast infection, then not only will yeast creams not work, but they may also make your itching and other genital symptoms worse. Or, equally bad is that the cream and any side effects you have from the cream may make it more difficult for your healthcare provider to properly diagnose the cause of your genital symptoms. As such, we recommend always checking in with your healthcare provider before seeking help from over-the-counter yeast infection medications. One of the few exceptions to this is that women who are super prone to yeast infections (meaning, they get four or