We might all be donning our woolly hats and gloves and wearing our winter SPF’s to protect our skin from the elements, but another area of the body that surprisingly suffers from the perils of cold winter weather is the vagina.

Dry low-humidity winter air and moisture-zapping central heating combined with heavier non-breathable winter clothing and impaired immune systems from multiple winter colds and flu, or antibiotic recovery can all result in vaginal itching, dryness and discomfort.

This can be particularly problematic for women in menopause as well as post-pregnancy but can also affect women during menstruation and/or after winter illnesses.

Venereologist Dr Eva Melegh offers her five tips to help help your imtimates weather the winter more comfortably.

Boost Good Vaginal Bacteria

Healthy bacterial balance in intimate skin is crucial for maintaining good intimate health. The humid and airless environment of intimate skin under heavy winter clothes or tights combined with a lowered immunity from winter illnesses and especially if recovering from antibiotics, makes an ideal environment for the breeding of bad bacteria. 

Using intimate skincare which replenishes good intimate bacteria can help prevent an imbalance of bad bacteria overgrowth during the winter months.

In2mate Skincare contains a patented prebiotic Biolin ® which has been proven to help increase the good flora in the vagina while inhibiting the growth of bad vaginal bacteria. An acute increase in bad vaginal bacteria can increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis, but even small increase can cause intimate irritation and itching. Biolin ® also repairs and strengthens vaginal skin weakened by menopausal dryness and thinning or pregnancy as well as chaffing and abrasions from sexual activity and sport.

In2mate products, which are over 99% natural and perfume-free, also contain Levan, a natural plant fructose that protects plants from dryness by locking in moisture via a natural microfilm (slime) spread over the plant’s leaves. Levan is used in In2mate Natural Lubricant for daily use to relieve internal vaginal dryness and discomfort.

Banish Bathing In Bubbles

During the winter months we’ve more likely to enjoy long soaks in the bath. However, its important during winter to baths to avoid scented bath products such as bubble baths. These products can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina and affect vaginal health.

Stick to unscented natural bath products if you want to add a moisturiser in your bath water such as rosehip oil or argan oil and then fill your senses by lighting your favourite scented candle.

Air Your Intimates

Heavy winter clothing, activewear and tights can have a negative effect on intimate health as they do not allow the vaginal area to breath.

Bacterial build-up and yeast overgrowth can both be triggered by warm and sweaty environments without ventilation, so opt for natural breathable fabrics such as 100% cotton -this is one of the best options for supporting your vaginal health when wearing heavier winter clothing.

Also try to allow your vagina some natural ‘breathing space’ every day – try to go underwear free for at least a few hours, ideally overnight. If the intimate areas has become very sweaty during the day such as at work or during exercise, try and rinse the sweat off your intimate skin and air it as soon as possible. Don’t leave the sweat to dry and sit on the skin for long periods of time.

Get Strict On Sugar

Christmas and Valentines wasn’t long ago and Easter is around the corner and we tend to spend a lot more time in front of the TV during winter! It’s no wonder we can all be guilty of increasing our sugar intake during the long winter evenings.  

However, sugar is literally like fuel for bad bacteria or yeasts to build up in the vagina. Try to keep a strict eye on your sugar intake during this period of winter.  Opt for darker chocolate that’s 75% cocoa as it contains much less sugar compared to milk chocolate and is loaded with antioxidants which may positively affect your health.

Be especially aware of hot drinks such as flavoured coffees which can contain surprisingly high levels of sugar along with sugary winter alcoholic drinks, such as Irish coffees.

Hydrate With Herbs

To help keep winter intimate itching at bay, keeping well-hydrated is vitally important, so ensure you’re drinking 6-8 glasses of unsugared fluids per day. If you’re not consuming enough fluids, your vagina is one of first places that may be prone to dryness, and this can lead to itching.

Warm water with lemon or a dash of unsweetened cordial and warm herbal teas are the ideal way to both warm you up when its chilly outside while hydrating you at the same time.