4 Common Period Hygiene Mistakes You May Not Realise You're Making

Periods are a normal part of life, but they can sometimes leave you feeling less fresh, more sensitive, or uncomfortable. Between menstrual flow, sweat, hormonal changes, and Singapore’s hot and humid weather, maintaining good period hygiene can feel more challenging at certain times of the month.

While most women focus on managing their flow, many overlook simple menstrual hygiene habits that can affect their comfort throughout their cycle. The good news? A few small changes can go a long way in helping you feel fresh, comfortable, and confident during your period.

Here are 4 common period hygiene mistakes you may not even realise you're making.

1. Wearing the Same Pad for Too Long

Whether you're busy at work, running errands, or simply trying to make your menstrual supplies last longer, it can be tempting to stretch the wear time of your pad.

However, wearing a pad for too long can trap menstrual blood, sweat, heat, and moisture against the delicate skin around your intimate area. This warm, damp environment may contribute to period odour, discomfort, chafing, and pad irritation, especially in hot and humid weather.

What to do instead: Change your pad regularly according to your flow, especially on heavier days. Avoid waiting until the pad is completely full or starts to leak before changing it.

2. Over washing During Your Period

On the flip side, some women try to compensate for feeling less fresh by washing multiple times throughout the day or scrub the intimate area aggressively.

While cleanliness is important, excessive washing can sometimes lead to dryness and discomfort.

What to do instead: Stick to a simple hygiene routine and cleanse gently with a pH-balanced intimate wash. Less isn't always more, but more isn't always better either.

3. Using Scented Products to Mask Period Odour

If you've ever noticed a stronger odour during your period, you might be tempted to reach for scented pads, fragranced wipes, or harsh or heavily perfumed soaps and products to feel fresher.

However, reaching for scented products isn't always the best way to manage period odour. While they may help mask odour temporarily, products that aren't specifically formulated for intimate skin can cause irritation, especially during menstruation when the intimate area may be more sensitive than usual.

What to do instead: Follow this simple and easy 3 step routine designed to combat with intimate odour and sweat.

Step 1: Apply Odor Block® Deodorant Powder to your intimate skin or sprinkle on panties to absorb sweat

Step 2: When you're out and about, moving from one activity to the next, use Odor Block® Freshening Spray for an instant clean and refreshed feeling in your intimate area.

Step 3: After returning home, gently cleanse your intimate area with Ultra Fresh Intimate Wash, which helps prevent odour before it starts.

Instead of masking intimate odour, Vagisil odour control range of products help to trap odour molecules, making them undetectable.

4. Treating Period Hygiene as Only a "Period Week" Concern

Good feminine hygiene during menstruation does not begin on the first day of your period and disappear when the bleeding stops. Your intimate health is influenced by everyday habits throughout the month, including clothing choices, hygiene routines, exercise, and overall self-care.

Consistency is more helpful than suddenly adopting an intensive routine only when your period begins.

What to do instead:

• Wear clean, breathable underwear
• Cleanse the vulva gently daily with washes specifically formulated for the intimate area
• Avoid douching and internal cleansing
• Stay hydrated
• Change out of sweaty clothes promptly

Myth Busted: Yes, the vagina is self-cleaning, but the vulva still needs care

You've probably heard this before:

"The vagina is self-cleaning, so you don't need any intimate wash."

While it's true that the vagina is self-cleaning, this statement often leaves out an important detail.

The truth is, the vagina and vulva are not the same thing. The vagina is the internal canal and is naturally self-cleaning. Through normal vaginal discharge, it is able to remove dead cells and maintain its own healthy environment. Because of this, internal cleansing or douching is unnecessary.

However, the vulva, which is the external intimate area, is exposed to sweat, menstrual blood, discharge, urine, and friction from pads and underwear throughout the day. During your period, these can build up and leave you feeling less fresh and comfortable.

What to do instead

Rather than cleansing internally, focus on caring for the external intimate area.

Choose a cleanser specifically designed for the external intimate area. A gentle wash from Vagisil helps remove sweat, discharge, and menstrual residue without being overly harsh. Clean only the external intimate area, avoid internal cleansing or douching, and choose a gentle product formulated for external intimate skin.

Finding the Right Intimate Wash for Your Needs

Every woman experiences her period differently, which is why there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to intimate care.

Choose Vagisil Ultra Fresh Daily Intimate Wash if:

• Odour is your main concern
• You want long-lasting freshness during your period
• You have busy, active days

Choose Vagisil pH Balance Daily Intimate Wash if:

• You want to support a healthy vulvar microbiome
• You're looking for an everyday intimate care solution
• You experience changes in comfort throughout your cycle

Choose Vagisil Sensitive Daily Intimate Wash if:

• You have sensitive skin
• You are prone to irritation
• You prefer a gentle, hypoallergenic formula

The Bottom Line

Periods can bring temporary changes in odour, moisture, and comfort, but many of the most common concerns can be managed with a few simple hygiene habits.

By avoiding common mistakes like overwearing pads, using harsh and scented cleansers, you can help yourself feel fresher and more comfortable throughout your cycle.

Most importantly, remember that everybody is different. Choosing the right intimate care routine and products for your individual needs can make all the difference in helping you feel confident before, during, and after your period.