Intimate hygiene during your period: the right habits to adopt

Intimate hygiene during your period is an important topic! At this point in your cycle, the desire to “feel clean” can be especially strong, which is totally normal—especially if you have a heavy flow. However, be careful not to overdo your hygiene routine.

What are the right habits to adopt? Scented soap or intimate wash? Washcloth or scented wipes? Shower or bath? Once or twice a day? What are the best practices for proper intimate and feminine hygiene during your period?

During your period, health insurance recommends washing your perineal area twice a day. It’s true that to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and for personal comfort, it’s important to be diligent about hygiene during your period. However, some practices should be avoided while others are recommended.

As you might expect, all products containing alcohol and fragrance—which you might be tempted to use to feel like you're really cleaning your intimate area—should be avoided. Fragrances are strong and disrupt the vagina’s delicate balance.

Remember: choose organic care products with a clear, minimally processed ingredient list featuring natural ingredients. Your intimate area doesn’t need moisturizer or perfume. It cleans itself naturally. Most of the time, water is enough.

1. Gently wash the vulva with a dedicated product (an organic intimate wash gel or a gentle organic cleanser) or simply with water. Only the outside of the vulva should be washed. Vaginal douching is not recommended at all.

2. Then wash the area between the buttocks and the anus, without going back to the vulva.

3. Rinse with water.

4. Gently dry with a clean, dry, personal towel without rubbing hard. And that’s it!

With proper intimate hygiene, you can avoid vaginal imbalance. Vaginal flora is a delicate and complex balance of good bacteria that are essential for our vagina. These good bacteria are also very helpful in preventing germs. Overwashing the vulva (multiple times a day) or washing with unsuitable soaps or products can weaken and irritate it. This makes it more likely to develop infections, imbalances, and dryness. A weakened intimate area can also make it easier for bacteria to grow. Good intimate care helps prevent vaginitis, vaginal yeast infections, UTIs, and other urinary tract infections.

To feel your best and have a positive period experience, here are some valuable tips.

For both your comfort and your hygiene, it’s recommended to regularly change your menstrual protection. If you’re using a tampon or pad, depending on your flow, head to the bathroom to change your protection. This helps prevent bacteria growth, odors, and maceration.

Just a quick reminder:

• A menstrual cup, like a sanitary tampon, should be worn for four hours, six at most. You can also change it sooner if needed. Internal menstrual protection should be changed regularly to prevent the development of TSS, Toxic Shock Syndrome.

• Disposable pads should be changed every 3 to 6 hours, depending on the intensity of your flow. Women with a copper IUD may need to change them even more often (every two hours).

• The period panty is the most practical option. With it, zero mental load! You can wear it all day or all night, depending on its absorbency and your flow. However, after taking it off, always remember to rinse it well to remove as much residue as possible.

Avoid scented hygiene products and choose healthy, sustainable intimate solutions with transparent ingredients. The French-made medical-grade silicone menstrual cup—BPA- and latex-free—or the certified organic cotton period underwear are excellent, proven alternatives!

Louloucup, a French brand, offers a wide range of durable, washable period products for all women. With transparent ingredients, product origins, and verified reviews, you can choose period protection that’s good for your health and respects your body!

Panty liners are super convenient. They’re great at the beginning and end of your period, or anytime during your cycle if you experience heavy vaginal discharge or spotting, helping to keep your underwear stain-free! This ultra-thin pad sticks to your panties and is a real lifesaver. But be careful! This disposable protection prevents your intimate area from breathing properly. Using panty liners regularly increases your risk of dryness and irritation.

The solution? If you’re a regular panty liner user, we recommend trying a menstrual thong! Louloucup offers a collection of ultra-thin menstrual thongs and panties for light flow and vaginal discharge. This way, you can wear beautiful lingerie, let your intimate area breathe, and stay dry all day long.