Personal Hygiene in Women

by I-Care Club       April 21, 2018

Most aspects of personal hygiene are common to both gender, but women also have some special considerations. These are related to the way their bodies are built as well as common lifestyle activities. Females must pay special attention to these areas, as well as overall cleanliness, as part of a thorough personal hygiene routine.

Definition

General personal hygiene is defined as being clean to avoid becoming offensive to others and to protect yourself and others from disease. It involves activities like bathing regularly and using deodorant to prevent body odor and brushing your teeth frequently to keep your mouth healthy and avoid bad breath. Good personal hygiene also includes covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands frequently to avoid transmitting germs.

Special Considerations

Women have some special areas to consider for personal hygiene. Those who are of reproductive age have a monthly menstrual cycle, which requires more attention to cleanliness. Protection must be changed several times a day, and showering or bathing become even more important for cleanliness and odor control.

Most women wear makeup regularly, which requires special attention when cleansing the face, as part of your total health care. Women in many western countries, including America, keep their armpits and legs clean shaven, which requires regular hair removal with a razor, cream or wax.

Many women also wear long hair, which should be kept clean. However, it does not have to be washed daily for maximum hygiene because natural oils contribute to healthy hair but recommends washing hair every other day.

Benefits

Good personal hygiene is beneficial to other people because it prevents the spread of germs, but it also benefits the individual in many ways. Women who do not practice good hygiene can become ill or get infections. For example, not maintaining a clean genital area or not changing underwear daily can lead to bladder infections and other vaginal problems. Not properly cleaning makeup off the face can cause an eye and skin infection. These and other problems are prevented by staying clean.

Cleanliness also makes a good impression on others in a woman's personal and professional relationships.

Education

Young girls generally learn about good personal hygiene from their mothers or other female family members. They may not get thorough information if they grow up in a family that shies away from talking about certain subjects. However, most schools have health classes that include hygiene-related information

so school-age girls will generally learn the basics. Then their knowledge will expand as they interact with their peers.