Interview by: Adekunle Victoria
Photo credit: Pinterest
Dr. Taiwo Boluwatife is a medical practitioner and healthcare delivery expert
In this interview with FirstNigeriaTV, Victoria Adekunle explains how men and women can properly care for their private parts, highlighting the importance of good hygiene, proper urination habits, and other practices that can help maintain genital health.
Excerpts:
Question: Why is proper hygiene of the male and female private parts important?
Answer: Good genital hygiene helps remove sweat, urine, discharge and other substances that can irritate the skin. It can reduce unpleasant odour and help maintain healthy genital skin. However, excessive cleaning can also cause irritation. Good hygiene alone does not prevent all genital or urinary infections.
Question: What is the correct way for women to wash the external genital area?
Answer: The vulva, which is the external part of the female genitalia, can generally be washed gently with clean water. If soap is used, a mild, unscented soap can be used on the surrounding external skin, but it should not be introduced into the vagina.
Question: Is it better for men to sit or squat while urinating?
Answer: For most men, either standing or sitting is acceptable. However, sitting while urinating may help some men, particularly those with an enlarged prostate or lower urinary tract symptoms, to empty their bladder more completely. Squatting is not generally necessary for healthy adult men.
Question: Is it necessary to wash inside the vagina?
Answer: No. The vagina is self-cleaning. Douching or washing inside the vagina can disturb its natural balance and may increase the risk of irritation and certain infections.
Question: What products should women avoid?
Answer: It is generally advisable to avoid scented vaginal washes, perfumes, deodorants, harsh soaps, antiseptics and other irritating products around the vulva and vagina unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional.
Question : How often should women wash their private parts?
Answer: Normal daily bathing is generally sufficient. Washing several times a day or repeatedly scrubbing the area is unnecessary and can cause irritation.
Answer: What is the proper way for men to wash the penis?The penis should be gently washed with clean water during bathing. The surrounding areas, including the scrotum and groin, should also be cleaned and dried properly.
Question : How should an uncircumcised man clean underneath the foreskin?
Answer: The foreskin should be gently retracted only as far as it comfortably goes, without force. The area underneath can then be rinsed with water and gently dried before returning the foreskin to its normal position.
Question : What can happen if an uncircumcised man does not clean underneath the foreskin?
Answer: Sweat, oils, dead skin cells and other substances can accumulate underneath the foreskin. This may contribute to unpleasant odour, irritation and inflammation.
Question: Can forcibly pulling back the foreskin cause injury?
Answer: Yes. The foreskin should never be forcibly retracted, particularly in young children. Forceful retraction can cause pain, tearing, bleeding and scarring.
Question: Should the foreskin be returned after cleaning?
Answer: Yes. After cleaning, the foreskin should be gently returned to its normal position. Leaving it retracted can sometimes cause paraphimosis, a condition in which the foreskin becomes stuck behind the head of the penis and can restrict blood flow. This requires urgent medical attention.
Question: How should the scrotum and groin be cleaned?
Answer: They should be gently washed with water and, if tolerated, a mild, unscented soap. The area should then be dried properly, particularly in skin folds where moisture can encourage irritation and fungal growth.
Question: Should antiseptics or disinfectants be used?
Answer: Generally, no. Strong antiseptics and disinfectants are not necessary for routine genital hygiene and can irritate or damage sensitive skin. They should only be used when specifically recommended by a healthcare professional.
Question: Can excessive washing cause problems?
Answer: Yes. Excessive washing, vigorous scrubbing or using harsh products can remove protective oils from the skin, causing dryness, irritation, itching and inflammation.
Question: What signs could indicate an infection or other problem?
Answer: Warning signs include persistent itching, burning, swelling, sores, unusual discharge, strong or unusual odour, pain when urinating, unexpected bleeding or significant pain. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice rather than relying solely on home remedies.
Question: When should someone see a doctor?
Answer: A person should seek medical attention when symptoms are severe, persistent, recurrent or unusual, or when there is significant pain, swelling, sores, bleeding, fever or difficulty urinating.
Question : Are there differences for children, teenagers and adults?
Answer: Yes. Children require particular care because their genital tissues are sensitive. Parents should never forcibly retract a child’s foreskin. As children grow, they can gradually learn appropriate personal hygiene. Teenagers should also receive accurate information about genital hygiene and sexual health.
Question : What misconceptions should people stop believing?
Answer: One major misconception is that more washing means better hygiene. Another is that strong chemicals or antiseptics make the genital area cleaner. In reality, gentle and appropriate cleaning is usually sufficient.
Question : What daily practices are recommended?
Answer: Maintain regular bathing, wear clean and breathable underwear, change underwear regularly, keep the genital area dry, avoid irritating products and practise good toilet hygiene. Women should generally wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
Question : Does genital hygiene prevent urinary tract infections or STIs?
Answer: Good hygiene can contribute to general genital health, but it does not prevent all infections, particularly sexually transmitted infections. STI prevention also involves safer sexual practices, appropriate testing and vaccination where applicable.
Question: What is the most important message?
Answer: The key message is: keep the genital area clean, but be gentle. The private parts do not need harsh chemicals, aggressive scrubbing or unnecessary internal cleaning. If there are unusual symptoms, it is better to consult a qualified healthcare professional than to self-treat.
