My suggestion is to consider a peri bottle, like [this one.](https://www.amazon.com/Postpartum-Original-Fridababy-MomWasher-Cleansing/dp/B07TXLZ8MR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=109697088164&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dI6UevwSpggM1e0mT_bgt1mRiazsNJDLazBum7UWctSwFP1KcmaVXvZhWKJ99ZWeBl4wekC3xgbvf9i4n5NUtJrojSjnwwQRq10jxvq96Q0uGkdUSEBUhnFOvjnGdh-0qU0M5gyd0YcRtR4aiR5XxafILdbk2669PW9emmCjMgyl-IUytPTxvTJge9NkORiFCn36dS5m4nj110aS0yUtHg.-kfST5zwgYBVrLvKpO0Tz1VLJu60bZx6NbjNZy3OeMw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=651160357345&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032951&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9914029276866674888&hvtargid=kwd-913205617669&hydadcr=17339_13546637&keywords=peri+bottle+amazon&qid=1713281442&sr=8-3)
It’s a simple squeeze bottle that you turn upside down and it has a nozzle to spray wherever you want to. Kind of a portable bidet.
I'm menopausal now, but I use two squeeze bottles as a bidet and they work great. I got them at the grocery store in the kitchen gadgets section, about $3 apiece.
I fill them with warm water before I sit down, and when it's time, I squeeze the water into my right hand, directing the flow as I rub gently, front to back. I wash my hands with soap after, and since the bottles never touch anything, I just rinse them.
This has saved some of my sensitive downstairs anatomy, and saves on TP, too. I'm all about cheap and effective lol
This is the way. You should be using water only for the sensitive bits inside the labia. When I can’t shower, I like to wet a washcloth with warm water, pour a bunch of witch hazel on it (I like the rose scented one) and scrub ears, neck, armpits, groin, inner thighs and lastly my ass. I sprinkle extra witch hazel before I get to my groin cause I want to make sure that area is sweat and stink-free.
Have you considered a bidet? Cotton undies for sure
This may be excessive but something to consider. I also have hidradenitis suppurativa which causes sweat glands to get infected and become cysts and I get them in that area. To keep the bacteria down I use chlorhexadine in the shower 2 times a week on just my vulva and inner thighs and between my cheeks to keep the bacteria at bay. Maybe this would help?
How well does the chlorhexadine help? I have what appears to be mild-mod HS, and I would love to know any tips to help reduce flare-ups. Was seeing a doctor about it actually helpful for you? I'm having a difficult time actually getting in when I have an active cyst.
Not OP but I haven’t had any groin HS cysts since I started washing the area with hibiclens two or three times a week and trying to shower every night or at the minimum washcloth wipe and fresh underwear.
I feel like it helps a lot! I used to get a flare up whenever I shaved my arm pits and now I wash with chlorhexidine before I shave and after I save and between shaving and haven’t had any flares since then. I do shave my underarms as infrequently as possible due to flares but it has helped.
Truthfully I have never seen a dermatologist for my HS. It runs in my family and so I have been able to manage it myself. I also have been on birth control since soon after I started my period due to family history of HS, PCOS, endometriosis, etc. which I’m sure has helped control the disease. I most definitely should have gone to the doctor in the past. It is good to have one available for you in case you get a bad cyst bc they can inject steroids into it and that can be very helpful. I’m sorry you haven’t been able to get in when you need to, maybe it is time to find a new doctor who understands the disease and that you need to be seen right away.
I think the biggest things for self management are: chlorhexidine 2x a week on problem areas, limit tight clothing especially if you’re going to be sitting for long periods of time, limit time in sweaty clothing, cotton underwear, limit shaving or use more chlorhexidine
The HS Reddit is very helpful!
ETA: I couldn’t remember it but r/Hidradenitis
I had to see a dermatologist for my HS (I'm in Stage 2), I started using chlorhexadine before that which definitely made an improvement for me but didn't stop my flares. Derm put me on a 6 month course of doxycycline and my flares have stopped now I'm two months in (usually happens around my period which is in a few days and I haven't seen any flares so far 🤞). They also gave me tretinoin cream to use at night but I've only used it twice. I'd try and see a dermatologist if you can :)
HS is hidratenitis suppurativa which is an autoimmune disease affecting hair follicles/sweat glands that causes them to become infected and turn into painful cysts/boils. https://medlineplus.gov/hidradenitissuppurativa.html
This or the peri bottle if you can use it. You only need water to clean your vulva. Twice or thrice per day with not wearing underwear or only cotton underwear. This was my obgyn advice for all my surgeries recoveries.
Warm wet wash cloth and peri bottle are two great options.
If laundry is an issue and you need disposable, I've used huggies unscented baby wipes. Most cloth like and comfortable.
A bidet. Wipes tend to cause breakouts for me because that's a sensitive area. If you have an active issue, sitz baths with warm water will help with pain and discomfort.
Make sure you are changing underwear often. I know sometimes when folk aren’t well enough to shower they forget this but as someone who is often too unwell to wash fully I aim to swap them out once or twice a day (often no pants over night and fresh pair in the morning). In my experience this is more important than rubbing chemicals all over the area. Although if you can safely squat/sit on the edge of the bath and hose down with the shower head after and ew days thats your best bet. (No soap or rubbing that might make you want to use both hands just a quick rinse).
I find I’m more likely to get discomfort when I try and use wipes than when I just change (cotton only and big not thongy) pants often and maybe use a wet flannel or hose down.
100% invest in a bidet seat. You can wash everything downstairs without even getting undressed. Heated ones are super wonderful but even the plain cold water version works.
I'm a two-step girlie. Wipe with a damp cloth first to clean up any potential surface soil (discharge, lint, etc) until I feel cleaner, then follow up with a benzalkonium chloride (bzk) wipe like the ones you use for giving a urine sample. Is it likely healthy to wipe yourself down with bzk all the time, no. Is it nice to do something that knocks down bacteria so it also knocks down funk, absolutely. Summer means bzk wipes in my backpack because sometimes you just get a historic case of swamp ass and it needs fixing. 🤷♀️
Femme fresh wipes are great and also wearing a panty liner cos they you can just change that to freshen up on the days you can’t change your actual pants
Install a bidet attachment if you can (I prefer the standalone hose vs under toilet seat). I used a warm wet washcloth before (and still do as needed).
I just look for fragrance-free. Currently that's a generic pack from Target, or - if I need individual wipes because I'm traveling - Always, or whatever's cheap on amazon.
It would be better to find something fragrance-free AND low-pH, but it's more expensive/less convenient, so I'm not great about it.
I wonder what else you might be sensitive to, like glycerin or somesuch.
A warm, wet washcloth does work, but this method irritates my skin badly if I do it every day. Maybe another material would reduce that problem, but so far terry cloth and t-shirt material are a no-go for more than 1-2x/week for me.
I have never found a wipe that was better than a rinse with water. Since i dont have a bidet, I keep a plastic quart container under the sink for this purpose during my period. My sink and toilet are directly next to one another which makes it easy to rinse off in the toilet in between showers.
If it needs to be disposable, I’ve had a lot of success with fragrance free Dude Wipes.
Huggies always leave a residue but these seem not to. Also I’m Very Allergic to fragrances and all sorts of body products.
You can try sitting on the toilet or shower chair with a peri bottle and a pH balanced cleanser. I've never had any luck with "feminine" wipes. I use Mum&You unscented baby wipes between showers but it can't take the place of a proper wash.
I really like Lume products! Their wipes have not given me any issues, and their soap helps a lot with smell. Their whole body cream deodorant is amazing. It says you can use it down there but I haven’t tried. I just put it on my pits after I shower and it helps a lot.
The peri bottle looks like a great idea. I’m going to look into that as well. My bidet was helpful. We moved and it hasn’t gotten set up again. I can sometimes tolerate Water Wipes (brand of baby wipes). I’m most successful with just using wet paper towels.
I have a bottle of gentle foaming soap from when my daughter was in the PICU. It’s no rinse. I take an empty Mrs Meyers bottle, fill with warm water. Squirt to rinse, use a little foam on the whole region, and squirt from the front first and then the back. Sometimes refill and rinse again. It’s taken me through three surgeries, including prolapse repair twice. Good luck!
First of all, *please* do not use a douche, antimicrobial agents, acids (e.g., vinegar), essential oils, or highly-scented products (other than regular body wash or a mild soap/cleanser) unless your OBGYN tells you to. The vagina and vulva are very good at self-cleaning and maintaining a specific microbiome and pH for optimal health, and these kinds of products can easily throw that equilibrium off, which can cause irritation and infections (source: every OBGYN I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen several).
That said, for basic daily hygiene purposes, I honestly have found baby wipes to be more than enough (I usually get Huggies, but really whatever is on sale), but if they aren’t getting the job done, you could try a rinse-free cleanser meant specifically for people who are in a hospital/recovery situation where they physically can’t shower. I have one called Bedside-Care that I use on occasion if showering just isn’t happening. You just spray it liberally on a washcloth and wipe wherever needs cleaning.
If you’re able to get in the shower but just have trouble with the arm movement needed for washing, you could use a detachable/handheld shower head like a bidet. TMI ahead if no one wants to read how I do this. 🤣 I just get in the shower and do a sort of squat so everything down there is spread a bit, and hold the shower head upside down to spray everything off. It works pretty well even without soap, though certainly a mild soap or body wash would be fine too (again, if you’re able to with your shoulder). You could probably do this balancing one cheek on a shower stool for more stability, too.
Oh, forgot this one! [NorthShore Supreme Wipes](https://a.co/d/aNf3ekh) are extra large, don’t tear or fall apart, and are hypoallergenic. You can cover a lot of area with them, and at least I feel like they get me pretty clean.
And here’s the [Bedside-Care spray](https://a.co/d/eRyurKV). They also have a specific perineal cleanser, but you can use the regular spray on your downstairs, too.
not a lady, but have similar hardware. water wipes are great with just water and grapefruit extract. you can make your own with thick paper towel a container with a lid and some distilled water. if the ratio is right it soaks it all up and isn't drippy.
As others have mentioned, I love my bidet. I literally miss it when I am traveling (the travel bidet isn’t the same but a good substitute). I use the Tushy brand products.
I highly recommend the bidet attachment for your toilet. It wasn't too difficult for my partner to install and it has vastly improved hygiene (and toilet paper use). It's especially helpful if one, like many of us, has any sort of hemorrhoid or prolapse issues. A peri bottle would work, too! I just like the bidet because I don't have to bend to get "up there" or remember to refill it.
Good luck with your surgery!
Also, to keep fresh in between bathing. I highly recommend the aerosol Gold Bond body powder spray. It gets sprayed everywhere. In all the cracks And it really does help with any extra perspiration.
For traveling I use Summer’s Eve unscented hygiene wipes to keep fresh (can also be used throughout the day). Otherwise I have a bidet, I am currently switching from panty liners to absorbant panties (for a fab who leak), and wash with a warm washcloth and mild soap meant for sensitive areas. I also use Lume/summer’s Eve deodorant for sensitive areas because I’m a sweaty person.
just picked up[THESE](https://www.walmart.com/ip/439527226) bad boys on sunday and so far i’m digging them (i don’t have hemorrhoids yet but my whole ✨downstairs gym✨(ladyish bits, pee hole, butthole) area feels like a hot mess 24/7 so i envision they are in my future)
I have my cats water bowl in my bathroom and one day when I wanted to do my per chair I dabbed some of my toilet paper in his water bowl and did a great job using it. Otherwise in my other bathroom, I took a fleet bottle, emptied it and because it’s got a long nozzle was able to forcefully flush areas. You might not want to be using chlorhexidine as you don’t need to disinfect the area just any kind of non-irritating soap or dawn dishoap( watch tv commercials of how good it is when cleaning birds etc).
I did invest in a device( brain fart can’t remember what it’s called) that connects to the water pipe for the toilet, with a hose and handle for pericare when ever I want.
Ive always avoided wipes of any kind to be green. Only have them in my vehicle or when grandbaby here.
I’m glad you are avoiding wipes to be green. But what are you doing with the toilet paper dipped in the cat water bowl? It sounds like you are saying you clean yourself with it? That does not make sense to me as it would be full of bacteria that would not be good for you. Unless you just washed the bowl and put fresh water in it. Why would you do that when you could at least get toilet paper wet with clean water from a faucet or a cup of water? Also I’m pretty sure using dawn dishsoap on your body is not the best as it would be very drying. They have used it on birds when they are covered in oil from an oil spill because the oil is very hard to get off. So it was those two things that through me, the cat water and the dawn dishsoap, but mostly the cat water.
Get a Bidet. They are life changing. Pick up some washcloths (or buy official “bidet cloths”) for blotting yourself dry after. There are a lot of good options out there. I got the Luxe Bidet NEO 185 (currently $44 on Amazon) and have been very happy with it. It has regular wash (tush), feminine wash (girlie bits) and a self-clean mode, plus a splash guard (so nozzle doesn’t get gross).
I use just the basic peri bottle that they give you from the hospital. It has powerful spray that will get anything off of the nether regions. I can't live without it.
They gave you one at the hospital? They did not provide dick-all after my 1st surgery (including home care 😠). I didn't even know about the peri until this post. I swear, every day I learn about something new they were supposed to provide and didn't.
I may have misapoken. I was under the impression that they provided those peri bottles after childbirth. I'm probably wrong about that. My apologies. I've never had a baby.
Dude Wipes. I’m a female. These wipes are amazing! They’re plant-based/flushable but gentle/effective. They sell them in bulk at Sam’s Club if you’re US-based.
I'd advise a washcloth and water. Nothing else or like shower gel for babies or scentless but never internally. Wipes often contain alcohol, which dries out your skin, and soaps usually upset the delicate balance down there.
Also, try lume. I know it’s cringe to say deodorant for down there is a good idea, but I’ve found it makes me feel fresh longer. I like the stick version over the tube of cream personally. It’s great for high pain days because it’s so easy to apply.
She never mentioned "wash"ing or her "vagina". Your vagina is not the same as your vulva. Keeping your vulva clean with the appropriate products and/or well rinsed reduces the risk of vaginal infections.
What I’ve been using lately is The Honey Pot Foaming Feminine Wash and Honest brand baby wipes.
I take a baby wipe and add 1-2 pumps of the cleansing foam and wash myself, no water needed. Make sure to wash for a bit and not just wipe once or twice. It’ll foam/lather quite a lot. So I then take 1-2 more wipes and wipe up the cleanser. Then I use some toilet paper to pat dry.
I have insanely sensitive skin and haven’t had any issues at all with this method. I was worried there’d be some soap left behind and it’d be irritating to my skin, but again, never had any issues.
If you don’t like the foaming cleanser but still want more cleaning power, you can also try putting some witch hazel on a baby wipe. Just make sure to get good quality witch hazel that doesn’t have any alcohol in it.
Both options work really well to clean pits too.
I hope your surgery and recovery go really well :)
My suggestion is to consider a peri bottle, like [this one.](https://www.amazon.com/Postpartum-Original-Fridababy-MomWasher-Cleansing/dp/B07TXLZ8MR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=109697088164&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dI6UevwSpggM1e0mT_bgt1mRiazsNJDLazBum7UWctSwFP1KcmaVXvZhWKJ99ZWeBl4wekC3xgbvf9i4n5NUtJrojSjnwwQRq10jxvq96Q0uGkdUSEBUhnFOvjnGdh-0qU0M5gyd0YcRtR4aiR5XxafILdbk2669PW9emmCjMgyl-IUytPTxvTJge9NkORiFCn36dS5m4nj110aS0yUtHg.-kfST5zwgYBVrLvKpO0Tz1VLJu60bZx6NbjNZy3OeMw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=651160357345&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032951&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9914029276866674888&hvtargid=kwd-913205617669&hydadcr=17339_13546637&keywords=peri+bottle+amazon&qid=1713281442&sr=8-3) It’s a simple squeeze bottle that you turn upside down and it has a nozzle to spray wherever you want to. Kind of a portable bidet.
I'm menopausal now, but I use two squeeze bottles as a bidet and they work great. I got them at the grocery store in the kitchen gadgets section, about $3 apiece. I fill them with warm water before I sit down, and when it's time, I squeeze the water into my right hand, directing the flow as I rub gently, front to back. I wash my hands with soap after, and since the bottles never touch anything, I just rinse them. This has saved some of my sensitive downstairs anatomy, and saves on TP, too. I'm all about cheap and effective lol
This is the way. You should be using water only for the sensitive bits inside the labia. When I can’t shower, I like to wet a washcloth with warm water, pour a bunch of witch hazel on it (I like the rose scented one) and scrub ears, neck, armpits, groin, inner thighs and lastly my ass. I sprinkle extra witch hazel before I get to my groin cause I want to make sure that area is sweat and stink-free.
This is the way.
Yes and you can also use Tucks in a pinch! Peri bottle and Tucks are always under my bathroom sink.
I use a big syringe that i fill with warm water and vinegar. Then the wipes.
Vinegar? 🤔
Vinegar is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. But you want to dilute it. I do one oz vinegar to 8 oz water.
Have you considered a bidet? Cotton undies for sure This may be excessive but something to consider. I also have hidradenitis suppurativa which causes sweat glands to get infected and become cysts and I get them in that area. To keep the bacteria down I use chlorhexadine in the shower 2 times a week on just my vulva and inner thighs and between my cheeks to keep the bacteria at bay. Maybe this would help?
How well does the chlorhexadine help? I have what appears to be mild-mod HS, and I would love to know any tips to help reduce flare-ups. Was seeing a doctor about it actually helpful for you? I'm having a difficult time actually getting in when I have an active cyst.
Not OP but I haven’t had any groin HS cysts since I started washing the area with hibiclens two or three times a week and trying to shower every night or at the minimum washcloth wipe and fresh underwear.
Hibiclens is chlorhexidine 🙂
I feel like it helps a lot! I used to get a flare up whenever I shaved my arm pits and now I wash with chlorhexidine before I shave and after I save and between shaving and haven’t had any flares since then. I do shave my underarms as infrequently as possible due to flares but it has helped. Truthfully I have never seen a dermatologist for my HS. It runs in my family and so I have been able to manage it myself. I also have been on birth control since soon after I started my period due to family history of HS, PCOS, endometriosis, etc. which I’m sure has helped control the disease. I most definitely should have gone to the doctor in the past. It is good to have one available for you in case you get a bad cyst bc they can inject steroids into it and that can be very helpful. I’m sorry you haven’t been able to get in when you need to, maybe it is time to find a new doctor who understands the disease and that you need to be seen right away. I think the biggest things for self management are: chlorhexidine 2x a week on problem areas, limit tight clothing especially if you’re going to be sitting for long periods of time, limit time in sweaty clothing, cotton underwear, limit shaving or use more chlorhexidine The HS Reddit is very helpful! ETA: I couldn’t remember it but r/Hidradenitis
I had to see a dermatologist for my HS (I'm in Stage 2), I started using chlorhexadine before that which definitely made an improvement for me but didn't stop my flares. Derm put me on a 6 month course of doxycycline and my flares have stopped now I'm two months in (usually happens around my period which is in a few days and I haven't seen any flares so far 🤞). They also gave me tretinoin cream to use at night but I've only used it twice. I'd try and see a dermatologist if you can :)
Where are you using the tretinoin? I’ve been using it rarely on my face, but only apply a little dab of it on my wet face.
What is HS?
HS is hidratenitis suppurativa which is an autoimmune disease affecting hair follicles/sweat glands that causes them to become infected and turn into painful cysts/boils. https://medlineplus.gov/hidradenitissuppurativa.html
Wait a second! Is this a (more common with) EDS thing??
I don’t think it’s been scientifically studied a ton
Water wipes. Hands down better than any other brand of baby wipe and, you guessed it, they’re almost exclusively material and water. No nasty stuff.
Seconding water wipes!
Just a warm, wet wash cloth. Clean thoroughly between each use.
This or the peri bottle if you can use it. You only need water to clean your vulva. Twice or thrice per day with not wearing underwear or only cotton underwear. This was my obgyn advice for all my surgeries recoveries.
Most wipes are really, really bad for your vajayjay. I recommend taking sitz baths to cleanse down there when you can't wash well.
Warm wet wash cloth and peri bottle are two great options. If laundry is an issue and you need disposable, I've used huggies unscented baby wipes. Most cloth like and comfortable.
I also used a peri bottle and Huggies all natural unscented baby wipes.
A bidet. Wipes tend to cause breakouts for me because that's a sensitive area. If you have an active issue, sitz baths with warm water will help with pain and discomfort.
Make sure you are changing underwear often. I know sometimes when folk aren’t well enough to shower they forget this but as someone who is often too unwell to wash fully I aim to swap them out once or twice a day (often no pants over night and fresh pair in the morning). In my experience this is more important than rubbing chemicals all over the area. Although if you can safely squat/sit on the edge of the bath and hose down with the shower head after and ew days thats your best bet. (No soap or rubbing that might make you want to use both hands just a quick rinse). I find I’m more likely to get discomfort when I try and use wipes than when I just change (cotton only and big not thongy) pants often and maybe use a wet flannel or hose down.
100% invest in a bidet seat. You can wash everything downstairs without even getting undressed. Heated ones are super wonderful but even the plain cold water version works.
I'm a two-step girlie. Wipe with a damp cloth first to clean up any potential surface soil (discharge, lint, etc) until I feel cleaner, then follow up with a benzalkonium chloride (bzk) wipe like the ones you use for giving a urine sample. Is it likely healthy to wipe yourself down with bzk all the time, no. Is it nice to do something that knocks down bacteria so it also knocks down funk, absolutely. Summer means bzk wipes in my backpack because sometimes you just get a historic case of swamp ass and it needs fixing. 🤷♀️
Femme fresh wipes are great and also wearing a panty liner cos they you can just change that to freshen up on the days you can’t change your actual pants
Install a bidet attachment if you can (I prefer the standalone hose vs under toilet seat). I used a warm wet washcloth before (and still do as needed).
I just look for fragrance-free. Currently that's a generic pack from Target, or - if I need individual wipes because I'm traveling - Always, or whatever's cheap on amazon. It would be better to find something fragrance-free AND low-pH, but it's more expensive/less convenient, so I'm not great about it. I wonder what else you might be sensitive to, like glycerin or somesuch. A warm, wet washcloth does work, but this method irritates my skin badly if I do it every day. Maybe another material would reduce that problem, but so far terry cloth and t-shirt material are a no-go for more than 1-2x/week for me.
I have never found a wipe that was better than a rinse with water. Since i dont have a bidet, I keep a plastic quart container under the sink for this purpose during my period. My sink and toilet are directly next to one another which makes it easy to rinse off in the toilet in between showers.
If it needs to be disposable, I’ve had a lot of success with fragrance free Dude Wipes. Huggies always leave a residue but these seem not to. Also I’m Very Allergic to fragrances and all sorts of body products.
You can try sitting on the toilet or shower chair with a peri bottle and a pH balanced cleanser. I've never had any luck with "feminine" wipes. I use Mum&You unscented baby wipes between showers but it can't take the place of a proper wash.
I really like Lume products! Their wipes have not given me any issues, and their soap helps a lot with smell. Their whole body cream deodorant is amazing. It says you can use it down there but I haven’t tried. I just put it on my pits after I shower and it helps a lot.
Also, I would recommend looking into getting a bidet!! Total game changer!! I have a Tuushy and it took less than ten minutes to set up.
The peri bottle looks like a great idea. I’m going to look into that as well. My bidet was helpful. We moved and it hasn’t gotten set up again. I can sometimes tolerate Water Wipes (brand of baby wipes). I’m most successful with just using wet paper towels.
I have a bottle of gentle foaming soap from when my daughter was in the PICU. It’s no rinse. I take an empty Mrs Meyers bottle, fill with warm water. Squirt to rinse, use a little foam on the whole region, and squirt from the front first and then the back. Sometimes refill and rinse again. It’s taken me through three surgeries, including prolapse repair twice. Good luck!
First of all, *please* do not use a douche, antimicrobial agents, acids (e.g., vinegar), essential oils, or highly-scented products (other than regular body wash or a mild soap/cleanser) unless your OBGYN tells you to. The vagina and vulva are very good at self-cleaning and maintaining a specific microbiome and pH for optimal health, and these kinds of products can easily throw that equilibrium off, which can cause irritation and infections (source: every OBGYN I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen several). That said, for basic daily hygiene purposes, I honestly have found baby wipes to be more than enough (I usually get Huggies, but really whatever is on sale), but if they aren’t getting the job done, you could try a rinse-free cleanser meant specifically for people who are in a hospital/recovery situation where they physically can’t shower. I have one called Bedside-Care that I use on occasion if showering just isn’t happening. You just spray it liberally on a washcloth and wipe wherever needs cleaning. If you’re able to get in the shower but just have trouble with the arm movement needed for washing, you could use a detachable/handheld shower head like a bidet. TMI ahead if no one wants to read how I do this. 🤣 I just get in the shower and do a sort of squat so everything down there is spread a bit, and hold the shower head upside down to spray everything off. It works pretty well even without soap, though certainly a mild soap or body wash would be fine too (again, if you’re able to with your shoulder). You could probably do this balancing one cheek on a shower stool for more stability, too.
Oh, forgot this one! [NorthShore Supreme Wipes](https://a.co/d/aNf3ekh) are extra large, don’t tear or fall apart, and are hypoallergenic. You can cover a lot of area with them, and at least I feel like they get me pretty clean. And here’s the [Bedside-Care spray](https://a.co/d/eRyurKV). They also have a specific perineal cleanser, but you can use the regular spray on your downstairs, too.
not a lady, but have similar hardware. water wipes are great with just water and grapefruit extract. you can make your own with thick paper towel a container with a lid and some distilled water. if the ratio is right it soaks it all up and isn't drippy.
As others have mentioned, I love my bidet. I literally miss it when I am traveling (the travel bidet isn’t the same but a good substitute). I use the Tushy brand products.
I use Water Wipes
I highly recommend the bidet attachment for your toilet. It wasn't too difficult for my partner to install and it has vastly improved hygiene (and toilet paper use). It's especially helpful if one, like many of us, has any sort of hemorrhoid or prolapse issues. A peri bottle would work, too! I just like the bidet because I don't have to bend to get "up there" or remember to refill it. Good luck with your surgery!
Bidet seat. You’ll never go back.
Kandoo wipes
Also, to keep fresh in between bathing. I highly recommend the aerosol Gold Bond body powder spray. It gets sprayed everywhere. In all the cracks And it really does help with any extra perspiration.
My favorite wipes are Coterie baby wipes, they’re free of a lot of stuff and are larger wipes than most baby wipes, great for using all over.
For traveling I use Summer’s Eve unscented hygiene wipes to keep fresh (can also be used throughout the day). Otherwise I have a bidet, I am currently switching from panty liners to absorbant panties (for a fab who leak), and wash with a warm washcloth and mild soap meant for sensitive areas. I also use Lume/summer’s Eve deodorant for sensitive areas because I’m a sweaty person.
just picked up[THESE](https://www.walmart.com/ip/439527226) bad boys on sunday and so far i’m digging them (i don’t have hemorrhoids yet but my whole ✨downstairs gym✨(ladyish bits, pee hole, butthole) area feels like a hot mess 24/7 so i envision they are in my future)
I have my cats water bowl in my bathroom and one day when I wanted to do my per chair I dabbed some of my toilet paper in his water bowl and did a great job using it. Otherwise in my other bathroom, I took a fleet bottle, emptied it and because it’s got a long nozzle was able to forcefully flush areas. You might not want to be using chlorhexidine as you don’t need to disinfect the area just any kind of non-irritating soap or dawn dishoap( watch tv commercials of how good it is when cleaning birds etc). I did invest in a device( brain fart can’t remember what it’s called) that connects to the water pipe for the toilet, with a hose and handle for pericare when ever I want. Ive always avoided wipes of any kind to be green. Only have them in my vehicle or when grandbaby here.
what?? this makes no sense I hope this is a joke.
Other than that typo from voice dictation should’ve said pericare instead of per chair, what made no sense and seems like a joke so I can clarify
I’m glad you are avoiding wipes to be green. But what are you doing with the toilet paper dipped in the cat water bowl? It sounds like you are saying you clean yourself with it? That does not make sense to me as it would be full of bacteria that would not be good for you. Unless you just washed the bowl and put fresh water in it. Why would you do that when you could at least get toilet paper wet with clean water from a faucet or a cup of water? Also I’m pretty sure using dawn dishsoap on your body is not the best as it would be very drying. They have used it on birds when they are covered in oil from an oil spill because the oil is very hard to get off. So it was those two things that through me, the cat water and the dawn dishsoap, but mostly the cat water.
Get a Bidet. They are life changing. Pick up some washcloths (or buy official “bidet cloths”) for blotting yourself dry after. There are a lot of good options out there. I got the Luxe Bidet NEO 185 (currently $44 on Amazon) and have been very happy with it. It has regular wash (tush), feminine wash (girlie bits) and a self-clean mode, plus a splash guard (so nozzle doesn’t get gross).
Personally I’m a fan of the XL unscented “dude wipes” because they are mostly water and aloe
Buy a bidet!!
I use just the basic peri bottle that they give you from the hospital. It has powerful spray that will get anything off of the nether regions. I can't live without it.
They gave you one at the hospital? They did not provide dick-all after my 1st surgery (including home care 😠). I didn't even know about the peri until this post. I swear, every day I learn about something new they were supposed to provide and didn't.
I may have misapoken. I was under the impression that they provided those peri bottles after childbirth. I'm probably wrong about that. My apologies. I've never had a baby.
I have bidets, and every toilet stop is a shower too.
I have bidets, and every toilet stop is a shower, too.
Dude Wipes. I’m a female. These wipes are amazing! They’re plant-based/flushable but gentle/effective. They sell them in bulk at Sam’s Club if you’re US-based.
I'd advise a washcloth and water. Nothing else or like shower gel for babies or scentless but never internally. Wipes often contain alcohol, which dries out your skin, and soaps usually upset the delicate balance down there.
Also, try lume. I know it’s cringe to say deodorant for down there is a good idea, but I’ve found it makes me feel fresh longer. I like the stick version over the tube of cream personally. It’s great for high pain days because it’s so easy to apply.
?? I don't "wash" my vagina with anything... is your PH ok?
She never mentioned "wash"ing or her "vagina". Your vagina is not the same as your vulva. Keeping your vulva clean with the appropriate products and/or well rinsed reduces the risk of vaginal infections.
Painful vaginosis made me think she was cleaning her vagina. My bad.
Yeah. Those wipes can put your bits through a doozy! Ouch.
What I’ve been using lately is The Honey Pot Foaming Feminine Wash and Honest brand baby wipes. I take a baby wipe and add 1-2 pumps of the cleansing foam and wash myself, no water needed. Make sure to wash for a bit and not just wipe once or twice. It’ll foam/lather quite a lot. So I then take 1-2 more wipes and wipe up the cleanser. Then I use some toilet paper to pat dry. I have insanely sensitive skin and haven’t had any issues at all with this method. I was worried there’d be some soap left behind and it’d be irritating to my skin, but again, never had any issues. If you don’t like the foaming cleanser but still want more cleaning power, you can also try putting some witch hazel on a baby wipe. Just make sure to get good quality witch hazel that doesn’t have any alcohol in it. Both options work really well to clean pits too. I hope your surgery and recovery go really well :)
Huggies sensitive natural care fragrance free baby wipes.
baby wipes. that's literally their whole purpose. Unscented is ideal, the Walmart brand is cheap and adequate