Carnival and festivities finally knock on the door and, with that, many parties, trips and parties to enjoy the holiday. Despite being a time of enjoyment, full of joyful and festive events, health care, especially intimate health, should be even more in focus.
“At Carnival, care must be taken. With the summer heat, people usually sweat more and bacteria proliferate much more easily. Add to this the beach, wet clothes for long periods, body movements and carnival skipping; the consumption of alcohol, fantasies, sometimes stifled, the feeling of liberality that stimulates sexual relations, all of this ends up requiring extra care with intimate and bodily hygiene as a whole˜, explains Karin Anzolch, urologist at the Brazilian Society of Urology.
Women still need even more attention, as they are more prone to acquiring diseases in the intimate region, such as candidiasis.
Furthermore, according to gynecologist and obstetrician Leonardo Valadão, long periods of sleep deprivation, disordered eating, alcohol or other substance abuse, as can happen at this time of year, lead to imbalances ranging from changes in the normal flora of the intestine and of the woman's vagina, such as a drop in immunity that gives rise to the appearance of certain gynecological conditions and even sexually transmitted infections when there is unprotected sexual intercourse.
A CNN spoke with professionals specializing in intimate health to understand more about what precautions can be taken to enjoy Carnival without hassles and problems.
Intimate health care during Carnival
Light and cotton clothes
“Whenever possible, it is essential to choose the most ventilated, light and cotton clothes”, points out Karin.
This is important because, according to gynecologist and obstetrician Roberta Simonaggio, the clothes worn during Carnival are often made of synthetic materials that remain in contact with the woman's vulva for a long time and can cause bruises in the region due to friction.
Focus on hydration and nutrition
Good hydration and nutrition are directly linked to the well-being of the intimate region. For some during the festivities, these two factors are not a priority and end up being left aside.
“It is important on festive days to remember that you need to hydrate well, remembering to always alternate alcoholic drinks with plenty of water. A balanced diet is also part of this package and, since it may be difficult to find healthy foods during the party, taking a bag/backpack containing some fruits and nutritious snacks such as cereal bars and yogurt can be an option”, highlights Leonardo Valadão.
Pay special attention to cleaning the intimate area
Roberta Simonaggio emphasizes paying attention to cleaning the intimate area during festive times. “At Carnival events, it is often difficult to find a bathroom and women are often unable to perform their intimate hygiene correctly.” According to the professional, a good solution could be to take wet wipes to clean the intimate area after urinating, as toilet paper can rarely be found in public bathrooms.
Karin also highlights the cleanliness of men's genitals. “Drying the urine after urination helps to prolong the effect of local washing. It is important to wash the intimate area carefully, with running water and soap, preferably neutral, at least twice a day at this time of year, and always after sexual intercourse, which should always be protected with a condom”, she says.
“If the person sweats a lot, or has a foreskin (the skin that covers the glans, the head of the penis), which is very long or closed, or if they are diabetic, have an immunosuppression problem or have had infections in the area before, care should be taken. they must be reinforced”, adds the urologist.
Don't wear wet clothes
The Carnival season is marked by recurrent rain. At these times, especially for those who enjoy the festivities at the street blocks, it is important to pay attention to wearing wet clothing.
Avoid wearing wet underwear for a prolonged period to reduce the chance of candidiasis, according to Leonardo Valadão. Therefore, if it is raining or there is a high probability of getting wet, it is essential to have a pair of dry underwear to change into.
“It is also important to remember that if you are on your period, change your absorbent frequently, especially tampons, in order to avoid bad odor and infections”, adds the professional.
Furthermore, according to Simone, opting for cotton panties can be crucial to maintaining good hygiene and care.
Use a condom
Professionals still pay attention to the use, without exception, of condoms at this time. Unprotected sexual intercourse can cause unwanted pregnancies and numerous sexually transmitted infections, especially from a partner you don't know.
Source: CNN Brasil
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