What comes to mind when you hear the term "vaginal health"? Many people tend to think that "no symptoms = no problems," but because it's invisible, it's hard to notice changes, and care is often put off. Dryness, looseness, odor, urinary incontinence...these problems that occur with age and hormonal changes are deeply connected to the health of the vagina.
One thing to consider is having your vaginal health checked at a medical institution. This is a screening test that evaluates the condition of the inside and outside of the vagina using five indicators to objectively understand your current condition.
5 Criteria for a Healthy Vagina
1. Vaginal pressure
Maintaining an appropriate level of internal vaginal pressure also maintains the function of the pelvic floor muscles, preventing urinary incontinence and the intrusion of air and water (the discomfort you may experience after a bath or swimming pool). As loosening progresses, you may find it easier to feel discomfort during everyday activities.
2. Sufficient moisture
Keeping the mucous membrane moist reduces itching and stinging caused by friction and dryness. Moisture is also an important factor in reducing pain during intercourse.
3. Vaginal pH should be slightly acidic and stable
A healthy vagina has a slightly acidic pH of around 3.8 to 4.5. This environment protects the normal bacteria and is the basis for the "self-cleaning" function that prevents the proliferation of germs. As the pH increases, the risk of odor, itching, and inflammation increases.
4. The mucosal appearance is normal
Ideally, the depth of the folds should be maintained and the mucous membrane should be plump and thick. As atrophy progresses, blood vessels become more visible and stinging and sensitivity to bruising become more noticeable.
5. Elasticity and moisture
A vagina that feels elastic and plump and bouncy during palpation or internal examination is said to be moist and firm. This elasticity can be lost with aging or hormonal imbalance.
The absence of "abnormality" does not necessarily mean "optimal"
"I haven't had any problems, but I feel like my hair is less moisturized."
"My vagina tends to get dry after my period ends"
"I started to feel uncomfortable during sexual intercourse"
These changes may be a sign that your vaginal health is fluctuating, and they can also change with age, menopause, hormone therapy, birth control pills, extreme dieting, and stress.
Since these conditions cannot be seen from the outside, the first step is to find out the numbers. By having your vaginal pressure, pH, moisture, mucosal thickness and elasticity checked at a medical institution, you can choose the care that best suits your condition.
Recently, there has been an increase in Femtech treatments, such as lasers, RF (radio frequency), hyaluronic acid injections, and skin boosters, which are minimally invasive and can simultaneously improve function and reduce the appearance of aging. With so many options available, now is the time to find the approach that's right for you.
A healthy vagina is one that is moisturized, elastic, pH balanced, tight, and both visually and physically comfortable. It's an inner beauty worth addressing, regardless of age or hormonal status. Understanding your current condition will lead to greater comfort and confidence in the future.
