The Guide to Sexual Health & Wellness for the Female Sex

Learning about your sexual health is way more than just safe sex, it’s also about personal hygiene, menstrual care and knowing how to look out for sexual health conditions. We know that this can be a frustrating learning journey because private things are mostly awkward to talk about, so, as part of Sexual Health Awareness Month in September, we put together a summarised guide with all the resources you’ll need to stay informed and in control of your sexual health.

Here are some of the most important topics you need to know about. 

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Here Are Some Tips for Taking Care of Your Vagina 

Credits to shy.sg

Credits to shy.sg

Just use water to clean your vagina 

As cliche as it sounds, the vagina is a self-cleansing organ, and using harsh chemicals (in scented soaps) or douching can disrupt its natural process. Douching actually eliminates some of the healthy bacteria present in the vagina, changing its delicate pH and makes you more susceptible to infections. 

Credits to shy.sg

Credits to shy.sg

Be sure to use non-scented products, and only wash the labia majora (as seen above). Try not to put any foreign products directly in the vagina. To keep yourself smelling fresh, you could consider adding these into your diet! 

Consider using natural lubricants 

We all know that lube is essential for better sex, but keep your vagina even healthier by switching to natural lubricants such as coconut or olive oil (they taste great as well!). Here are some ingredients in lube to avoid: 

  • Glycerin: related to sugar, contributes to bacterial growth in the vagina 

  • Petroleum products (like jelly) 

  • Parabens 

  • Scented lubes 

Keep the pubes 

You might want to skip your next brazilian wax because pubic hair serves many purposes, such as protecting yourself from extra bacteria, and also eliminates issues related to friction and sweating. 

Use body-safe sex toys 

Credits to Healthline

Credits to Healthline

The 2 best sex toy materials are: 

  • Silicone: Chemically stable material makes it safe to use and non-toxic. Also easy to clean and able to withstand temperature changes 

  • ABS Plastic: Cheaper than Silicone, also non-toxic. Only downside is that it is a little harder and less flexible than silicone, so do use a generous amount of lube 

The 2 worst sex toy materials are: 

  • Porous materials: These are materials that are jelly-like in texture. Very absorbent, making them impossible to clean and bacteria can get easily trapped in the toys

  • Phthalates: Usually added to make plastic softer and more flexible, but when they interact with the body’s natural chemicals, tend to cause changes in sexual hormone levels, altered development of genitals, and a worsening of allergy symptoms. 

Ensure your vagina has sufficient ventilation 

This can be achieved by wearing looser, cotton panties. If possible, do not use panty liners as they result in the private area being warmer and more moist, favouring the growth of yeast/bacteria and increasing the chances of a vaginal infection. 

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Enjoy Sex Without The Risk Of Unwanted Pregnancies: Here’s How 

Even though the main purpose of birth control is to prevent pregnancy, using contraception also has other added health benefits. For example, some hormonal birth control (such as pills or patches) can also help regulate periods, while other birth control (such as condoms) help to prevent STDs. 

Here are some of the more popular birth control options that you may have considered: 

Type Effectiveness Usage What happens Estimated costs
Birth Control Pills 91% Oral consumption by females (1 a day for 21 days, rest for 7 days which should coincide with your period) Either thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from entering the uterus or thins the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg is less likely to attach $25 to $40 for a month supply with prescription from GP or Gynaecologist
Hormonal Patches 91% Sticks on the skin of females, to be changed every 3 weeks Releases hormones - estrogen and progestin through skin contact to stop ovulation to prevent fertilisation of eggs. $36 to $50 a month with doctor prescription
Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD) 99.8% Tiny Intrauterine Device inserted into the uterus and can last ranging from 3-7 years inside to prevent pregnancy Releases hormone, progestin, which thickens the cervix mucus lining and prevents ovulation $400-$500 excluding doctor’s fee
Copper IUD 99.2% Tiny Intrauterine Device inserted into the uterus and can last up till 12 years inside to prevent pregnancy The copper lining in the IUD releases copper ions which:
1) Is toxic to the egg and sperm hence stops sperm from fertilising the egg
2) Slows the transport of the egg to decrease fertilization
3) Changes the lining of the uterus to make it unable to support a fertilised egg
$400-$500 excluding doctor’s fee

Here Are Some Routine Sexual Health Checks You Could Consider Going For  

Here are some tests that you should consider getting to help you maintain being in the pink of health! 

Test What is it for When should you get it
Pap Smear To examine for precancerous and cancerous cells on your cervix 25 -29 years old: once every 3 years
30 years old and above: once every 5 years
HPV Testing To check for and prevent HPV, an STD that can lead to cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer Starting from 30 up till 65 years old
Mammogram It is an X-ray that screens for breast cancer 40 years old and above: once every year,
50 years old and above: once every 2 years

Which Are The Common STDs I Should Look Out For The Most?  

1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that anyone can contract. HPV can be transmitted via: Skin-to-skin (especially genital) contact such as during sexual activity, by sharing contaminated sex toys and very rarely, during delivery from an infected mother to her baby. HPV has over a hundred different “strains”. Some of these strains can infect your body and lead to cancers including cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Read this article on HPV Vaccines to see how you can protect yourself! 

2. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis  

These 3 STDs are also some of the most commonly contracted among females. All 3 are classified as Bacterial STDs, and they can be treated easily with antibiotics. Find out how and when you should get tested

3. Bacterial Vaginosis 

Although not an STD, Bacterial Vaginosis is mostly contracted through sex, and the likelihood increases when one has a new sex partner or multiple partners. Bacterial Vaginosis is a condition that happens when there is too much of one bacteria in the vagina, hence upsetting the vagina’s natural pH. 

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Your Intense Period Pains And Trouble In Bed Might Be Due To Sexual Health Conditions  

1. Sexual Dysfunction 

Credits to VeryWell Mind

Credits to VeryWell Mind

Female sexual dysfunction is classified as any problems with sexual response, desire, orgasm, or pain that end up straining the relationship with your partner. Some common issues faced could be painful sex, low sexual desire, and difficulty maintaining arousal, leading to unsatisfying sex all around. 

2. Endometriosis

Credits to WebMD

Credits to WebMD

If you’ve experienced extreme pain during periods and pelvic pain, it might be a sign of endometriosis. It is a condition where tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) ends up growing outside the uterus (as in the diagram above). Unlike the normal uterine lining thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each cycle, the additional tissue caused by endometriosis has no way of exiting the body. This causes adhesions, nodules, and lesions, which trigger inflammatory responses in the body. 

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Ruth Ong