PROPER HYGIENE OF THE GENITALS

Good hygiene is a subject that cannot be overemphasized. Proper hygiene of the genitals ensures cleaning and drying of the genital areas, frequently changing underwear and taking care of any risk factors associated with poor hygiene.

CLEAN UNDERWEAR FOR MEN AND WOMEN
It is often emphasized that women should change their undies as frequently as possible, especially during menstruation but it is equally important for men to also change their undies daily, especially after nocturnal discharges. 

Wet or soiled underwear must be changed with a clean and dry one. This is to avoid invasion and multiplication of microbes in the genitals which could easily lead to infections like gonorrhea, scabies, syphilis and HIV/AIDS. 

TRANSMISSION OF MITES THROUGH REPEATED USE OF DIRTY UNDERWEAR
Dirty underwear harbor mites which cause scabies among other infestations.

Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a mite which lays its eggs under the surface of your skin and reproduces. When the eggs hatch, mites crawl out onto your skin and make new burrows.

Due to repetitively wearing dirty underwear, mites could easily infest victims and cause itching and soreness. Mites are easily washed and destroyed when underwear are washed and sun-dried.

AVOIDING THE USE OF FEMININE WASHES TO DOUCHE
Vaginal douching is a practice that must be strictly avoided. Douching is the washing of the vagina with water and soap or other mixtures which disrupts the normal flora of the vagina and could cause infection. Justifications for douching may include washing menstrual blood, getting rid of semen after sex and preventing pregnancy, however it is important to differentiate between cleaning the outer vulva using unscented soap and clear water from outrightly douching the inner vagina which normally cleanses itself.

Douching the vagina also increases the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).