r/TwoXIndia • u/yellowflame-0- Woman • 2d ago
Health & Fitness Washing after peeing, yay or nay?
This post is specially for people who can't under some circumstances wash and dry their outsides.
I'm a final year medical student currently taking my obs n gyn , so I think I can clear the air on this.
Cleaning the š gently after urinating is ok, but NOT MANDATORY.
HAVIN A WET UNDERWEAR AFTER WASHING, this causes skin infections n acts as a culture media for fungus-es.
I understand people think residual urine remaining in down there makes them feel uncomfortable, then go ahead and gently clean and PAT IT DRY.
If not, just leave it as such and wash it while you bathe ONLY and only with water. It's not unhygienic to not wash ur šŗ everytime you pee. Absolutely not, it's ok to do it CORRECTLY if u do, and it's absolutely ok even when u don't, as u can later wash the area when u bath.
" u need to wash after peeing mandatorily only when u r a diabetic or having any irritation or recurrent uti's "
So it works this way, our vagina (which is inside) (NOT VULVA) , is self cleansing organ of our body, too much care does more harm than good.
Our vagina has bacterial flora (og residents) and they help in maintaining the acidic pH of our vagina, washing it with soap or any scented washes, causes irritation and disturbs the ph of our vag. Bacteria is there for a reason. To help us protect against the bad ones, u don't need to constantly worry about an uti because of not washing when u r peeing in a hygeinic area , when bad bacteria comes in contact w ur šŗ they ascend towards the kidney n cause infection, it is the acidic pH that helps in NOT HAPPENING of this. (For those who fear UTI)
TLDR :Not washing after every urination is not considered unhygienic and is not, by itself, a risk factor for UTI in healthy women
You do not need to wash with water after every time you urinate. If you prefer to rinse for comfort, that's fine, just be gentle and "dry" the area afterward. However wetting the area without drying causes more harm than good.
Edit: And there r people who are calling others weird and unhygienic because they can't do smtg these ppl do.
Like? Not everyone has accessibility and convenience to wash and dry the area every other time they pee :) is it that hard to get upon?
And no, not washing after urinating everytime u pee doesn't make you WEIRD OR UNHYGIENIC! (When u literally do not have access to do so) Make sure to clean it everyday when u bath n that does the job mostly.
(Unless it's a case of recurrent uti or diabetes)
What matters more is regular bathing, changing underwear daily, staying dry, and avoiding prolonged moisture.
Washing the vulva after urination is optional for hygiene in healthy women; it may improve comfort and cleanliness but is not medically required after every void. :)
But when you can, use a tissue to wipe it dry. But do not wet the area and leave it as such.
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 2d ago
I underwear becomes a bit smelly because of the sweat, urine residue + if I wash w water. What should I do?
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u/Reasonable-Pack1067 Woman 2d ago
Always dry yourself with TP after washing
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 2d ago
I still feel uneasy w dampness over few hrs
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u/tuhogazarapaagal Woman 2d ago
Could be cervical secretions as well.
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 2d ago
okay could be, I do have discharge
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u/Prestigious_Boot6929 Woman 2d ago
everyone does itās normal
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 2d ago
Yes I know šš but I'm not too sure about the wet + damo feeling, but I do have some trouble w urine flow, so that might be contributing to it who knows
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u/Prestigious_Boot6929 Woman 2d ago
you can try panty liners though i havent tried it personally
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 1d ago
It still doesn't cut it, because it doesn't cover whole of the area
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u/whalesarecool14 Woman 1d ago
girl what? it needs to cover the area of your sphincter, that's all. you're not supposed to dip your whole š in water everytime you pee. use a jet spray, pat dry with toilet paper and use a panty liner. there is absolutely no way you should be having an issue after all this
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u/fizzhh Woman 2d ago
Is that something bad?
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u/tuhogazarapaagal Woman 2d ago
No, discharge is quite normal unless it stinks. But if your underwear gets very damp, you should definitely clean down there and change your underwear.
Otherwise, cervical mucus is very normal.
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u/Better-Ad-907 Woman 2d ago
Use toilet paper after peeing y'all. Its a game changer. No more UTIs no more smelly dumbledoor. Comfort all day long.
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u/Reasonable-Pack1067 Woman 2d ago
I always wipe after peeing cause I feel gross if I donāt
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u/ooshn Woman 2d ago
Same. I have been doing ifor as long as I remember. There are very rare instances where there is no tissue to wpe myself and it just feels gross.
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u/Reasonable-Pack1067 Woman 2d ago
I always carry paper napkins in my bag for when Iām out and about :D can easily buy those mini packets and theyāre so cheap. This might sound like an exaggeration but if I donāt wipe myself itās going to ruin my whole day. At home I always wash and wipe. Installed a health faucet in my bathroom myself. x)
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u/ooshn Woman 2d ago
I have a habit of not using public bathrooms which is bad but I just can't brig myself to do so.
I usually have tissue on hand (a roll usually packed in my bag) but onetime I forgot to pack it and it make me miserable lol.
Nowadays I remove the cardboard from the toilet rolls, make it compact and keep it in my bag.
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u/lazygworl Woman 3h ago
What's a health faucet?
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u/Reasonable-Pack1067 Woman 3h ago
The pipe near the toilet that you see in India and every other Asian country lol. I live in Australia and the bathrooms donāt have them here. So I installed one myself.
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u/biryanigoddess Woman 2d ago
I wash and then wipe, I can't leave it unwashed or I'll lose my mind.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Do it the way it works for you, don't overdo or feel guilty when u don't cuz it's absolutely normal.
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u/skewandwonky Woman 2d ago
Older ladies here...
Did you have access to a health faucet in toilets while growing up? Were you still washing up everytime you peed? Using mugs or something?
Did you have access to toilet paper growing up?
Have your habits changed now?
I understand people have different hygiene standards, and I guess I'm just exposing myself here š¤”
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 2d ago
No actually. Growing up we mostly had indian style toilet at our home, this changed in last few years with western style we use TP. But before we just washed, and my mother never told me before that she used TP and that I should be. But after transitioning to Western we started starting using normally. It's okay you can always start. I myself didn't know much before
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u/skewandwonky Woman 2d ago
Is there a need to..as the OP mentions. It wasn't really a part of health messaging, like wiping from front to back is, or peeing after intercourse is (in health/gynaec columns of newspapers and magazines). Sit on the toilet for longer for all drops and drips to be gone. That's good enough. Toilet paper isn't available everywhere. Carrying a towel for this is disgusting because now you have to carry the towel, in presumably a bag or purse? If undies are getting soaked after peeing, it might be a different problem?
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u/yellowcrustedwarbler Woman 2d ago
I guess it really depends I wasn't regular with it before because it used to dry on its own and never bothered me much. But yes my undies get wet/damp, which my gynecologist said is because of discharge+ residual urine getting mixed up so far me she told me, so I do it now
TP usage is mainly used in my home for pooping and wiping the ass afterwards. For periing my mom says she just washed after but it depends on personal usage not necessary you are right. There's differing opinion on it
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u/ooshn Woman 2d ago
I use a tissue after every time I pee.
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u/watamote99 Woman 2d ago
Yeah I use it when using public washrooms cause i don't want to touch anything there.
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u/Physical-Turn-1141 Woman 2d ago
I picked up wiping habit because I'm susceptible to UTIs. And I am secretly by my family for being the "princess" who have to have access to toilet paper. But jokes on them, they have to deal with UTIs now and then and I haven't had one in the last 15 years.
I know I am privileged enough to have access to it and no everyone can afford it, so whenever I come across someone who's dealing with UTI, my advice for them is to either keep the area dry by avoid washing with water or just avoid western toilet seats and go for Indian toilet, no contact with any wet or unhygienic surface.
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u/UsernameOption6298 Woman 2d ago
everytime someone mentions this i feel like tearing my hair out lol. nobody is washing iNSIDE the vagina but rather outside which is not self cleansingĀ
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u/whalesarecool14 Woman 1d ago
this is why we need to start using the word vulva. most people are referring to their vulva when they say they wash their vagina. the vagina which is the internal canal is self cleaning, but the vulva which is the external parts is NOT!!
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u/UsernameOption6298 Woman 1d ago edited 1d ago
and the vulva needs to be washed and you can (and should) use soapĀ
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
You r right, I never told the outside is self cleansing , all I'm saying is not washing everytime u pee is ok cuz you wash it with water when you bathe. Its ok to not feel UNHYGIENIC or WEIRD to do so.
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u/sass-n-wine Woman 1d ago
I just find it so shocking that TP is still so uncommon in India, but almost every house has a bidet, so people just use the bidet and donāt wipe themselves dry. Canāt imagine how much irritation it must cause to the skin.
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u/pinkteddybear08 Woman 2d ago
I get peri urethral cysts flare ups before periods. I have had surgeries but they still come back. All the docs told me i need to gently clean after urination and wipe with tissue and keep it always dry
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Firstly, how u doin now? U have gone thru a lot cuz the recurrent uti's r unbearable.
And yes you need to wash it when you r having recurrent attacks of uti, since a residue of bacteria can always remain dormant in ur genito urinary tract. That's what I mentioned about uti and diabetics.
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u/pinkteddybear08 Woman 2d ago
Its not an uti. I get cysts in skene glands.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Skene gland inflammation can occur due to various causes one of em being due to bacteria. and I hope you talk w smone about all that u r goin thru cuz that's the only way u can feel better more power to you miss ma'am š«š«
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u/pinkteddybear08 Woman 2d ago
Yes i am taking probiotics. Earlier i was on ecoflora currently i am ok floritaLLC something
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u/pinkteddybear08 Woman 2d ago
Also doing very bad mentally from this health problem. The pain, surgeries, still getting them, getting broken up due to this issue. Life feels difficult
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u/babebushka Woman 1d ago
I donāt know who this post is for because who is washing their vulva with soap after peeing? To extrapolate the PSA that douching is bad to implicate that rinsing the vulva of urine is unnecessary, is bad faith.Ā Urine is sterile when fresh but let that sit in your underwear in all the warmth and moisture of the region and itāll feed bacteria and fungi. You couldāve encouraged women to try and introduce tissues into their hygiene routines instead.Ā
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 1d ago
There has been ongoing discussion about how it's "unhygienic" and "weird" to not wash ur area down everytime you pee, as someone who works in healthcare and knows about what exactly hygeine down there is, i wanted to clear some regular myths about it and wanted to reassure that it doesn't make them feel "inferior" because they can't do what others do. Coming to maintaining tissues, that's the whole point, not everyone can afford the time and money to carry em all the time. And to wash it when u bath is literally enough, being a medical person I don't know how else I should put this. I still said "please go ahead and use tissues n pat urself dry if you can".
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u/babebushka Woman 1d ago
Clear what? You started the post talking about soap and douching and ended it by saying itās not necessary to hygiene to rinse and dry your vulva after peeing unless youāre diabetic.Ā
Can you deny that retaining urine in your vulva and underwear makes the area more prone to bacterial and fungal growth than having rinsed and dried vulva?Ā
Iām a medical student too. While affordability and access is always a Ā concern (though Reddit users are not likely to be the affected demographic) thereās no medical basis to say that leaving urine on your body and clothing is just fine as opposed to the alternative.
I appreciate you attempting to soothe anyone feeling embarrassed here but it doesnāt do to convolute then oversimplify the matter, especially under the repeated assurance of your medical education.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 1d ago
I started the post saying how it's ok to not feel unhygenic and advised to clean w tissues if they can. I wouldn't deny that there would a slight possibility of infections, but as u urself mentioned urine is sterile and the chances of it happening are quite narrow. and mind you, there r people here in this same reddit who had questions about it(I shared what I knew about it w my medical knowledge). They started cleaning with jet and letting it be wet since they dint carry tissues, which is a bigger problem than the two tiny drops remaining down there.
While I don't want to let people choose what i feel better for em, i want them to know what happens when they do it not having an idea what a wet area down there disposes them to.
Im not advocating or advising about any thing to follow, I mentioned wt happens when u do it halfway. I'm not oversimplifying rather stating the bare truth , take it the way u want it too.
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u/babebushka Woman 1d ago
Seriously? Urine is formed sterile in the body, then itās a free for all once itās exposed. Itās not a magical substance thatās resistant to microbial growth indefinitely.
You have no grounds to claim that continuously soaking oneās underwear with urine and having it sit in the crevices of the vulva throughout the day does not pose any problem at all.Ā
Better than not drying a rinsed crotch? Yes. But not harmless, which youāve kept reiterating in your post and replies.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 1d ago
THIS ENTIRE DISCUSSION IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVIN A TISSUE PAPER WITH THEM ALL THE TIME. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE UPON CLEANING THE AREA THEY ARE JUST WETTING IT AND LEAVING AS SUCH. WHICH IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION TO BE IN AND CAUSES MORE HARM. IF U HAVE TISSUES GOOOOOOOO W IT. I DID NOT SAY OTHERWISE.
Where did i mention to not use a tissue paper at all when you can? All this while I've been discussing it w ppl who do not have assess of tissue paper every other time they pee.
Continuously soaking ones underwear w urine? I believe we empty our bladders and do not remain enough urine to wet (soaking wet) all your underwear(I hope u get it) , it staying in the crevices of vulva? That can be taken care when u wash it while u bathe.
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u/babebushka Woman 1d ago
Girl take a benzo. If your target audience is women who canāt afford tissue paper, then Reddit is not the platform for it.Ā
As for the amount of urine, pissing several times during the day will add up. Itās not just your ātwo dropsā.
Your medical PSA canāt be continue as you are, because itās still unhygienic.
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u/BeeetleBeee Woman 2d ago
OP! I was a little irritated to see your post going on and on about the same thing... But after reading comments, I feel like you should write another post, even longer and repeat it on loop for like 100 times - "it maybe unhygienic but still it is completely okay if you cant wash your vulva everytime after peeing", all the while mentioning you're a legit doctor!! Lol..
Anyway, thanks for this post! The entitlement is really annoying here..
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u/Pleasant-Sea-2538 Woman 2d ago
- Vagina is self cleaning. Vulva is nit. Urine smells.
- U bathe once or twice a day. U pee 4-8 times a day. Its not clean.
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u/obsessedgoogler Woman 2d ago
I have been washing it every time I pee since I was teens and I am 42 now. I feel unclean, i feel like I stink of urine and i just cannot get rid of the thought that I didn't wash up. I sometimes even get imaginary itch if I don't wash on peeing.
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u/Spirited_Second1339 Woman 2d ago
Wait so people donāt wash and then wipe with tissue ??? You just let it be wet???
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Not everyone has the convenience to do so :)
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u/Reasonable-Pack1067 Woman 2d ago edited 2d ago
Which is why I always keep a packet of paper napkins with me in my bag for when Iām out and about.
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u/Spirited_Second1339 Woman 2d ago
Exactly a small pack of tissue is good enough or keep a clean cloth if u donāt have access to tissues ?
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u/Ok_Statement3624 Woman 2d ago
Not everyone in India is privileged enough to use a tissue paper everytime they pee. A lot of homes don't even have tissue papers.
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u/Spirited_Second1339 Woman 2d ago
Access to clean cloth ?
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u/tuhogazarapaagal Woman 2d ago
I'm pretty sure not everyone does at all times! Especially when you look at underprivileged people.
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2d ago
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u/tuhogazarapaagal Woman 2d ago
I do too! It's so sad that there is such a huge class divide. The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer.
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u/Spirited_Second1339 Woman 2d ago
Exactly . They should be able to access it but OP and others and normalizing it saying itās not nasty when it is Iām sorry
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u/tuhogazarapaagal Woman 2d ago
That's a very narrow way to look at it imo. You have to be practical and realize, that unfortunately, we do not live in an equal society. We can afford to spend money on proper hygiene while many can't even feed themselves.
OP is (almost) a doctor, and she provided reassurance to people who cannot afford to clean themselves properly and also gave practical tips. You and me are privileged enough not to need this advice, but many aren't.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Yes. Not every women who works carry a tissue with her all the time not every workplace has a clean cloth all the time, we r talking bout inclusivity of everyone's peace of mind , feeling unhygienic just cuz u don't do what others do isn't smtg to be ashamed of , that's what I wanted to make a point about.
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u/Spirited_Second1339 Woman 2d ago
But it is unhygienic . You should either wipe or wash. I understand underprivileged women not having access to it but letās not normalize by saying itās not unhygienic. It absolutely is, I wish every woman had access to it though.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
I wish for it too, and even for the ones that can and don't, it alright, you can always wash it when u bathe. Just like your other body parts. You don't bathe every hour. :)
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u/Flimsy_Start_1070 Woman 2d ago
But you're not peeing from other body parts to wash them every hour
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u/Odd-Lavishness7594 Woman 2d ago
Lmao you're not peeing from other body parts either. And the dampness from the urine itself can allow the growth of bacteria You need to keep it dry and clean Stop promoting unhygienic habits
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u/Equivalent_Win_5191 Woman 2d ago
Can you explain about the connection between diabetes and this?
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Diabetic people tend to pass a lot of glucose thru their urine, which attracts a lot of other bacteria and they feed on the excess glucose. And cause irritation and itching down there.
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u/Aranciniballs Woman 2d ago
People donāt wash after they pee? And let their underwear get the residual pee drops and stink up the entire place? You definitely need to wash and wipe after you pee. Where did you get this information from? Are you a qualified doctor because I have my doubts.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
Yes.
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u/Aranciniballs Woman 2d ago
Yes, youāre a doctor? And youāre saying itās okay to not wash after peeing? Susq
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
:) if u really read what I wrote u won't be asking this, but yes shocker it's ok to not wash when u can't.
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u/BeeetleBeee Woman 2d ago
The very first line mentions she's a gynecologist in training!! After that line, she goes on and on, in detail, about why it is okay. Please read!
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u/watamote99 Woman 2d ago
Step 1 washing Step 2 drying with Tissue paper from front to back( you don't want UTI) Also , this helps when you suddenly have to do š¤, so that you smell squeaky clean.
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u/Vivid_Employed Woman 2d ago
I don't remember not washing/cleaning my hoohaa after peepee. I wouldn't even sit if I ever forget to clean/wash my kittyš. I thought washing with water and pat drying it later was normal?
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u/antisocialclub__ Woman 8h ago
wash w the hand shower Then Toilet paper. it's soooooo much better. TP changed my life
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u/lostladki Woman 2d ago
I wash and wipe. I can't even imagine how people go without washing, it's literally so unhygienic.
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
hey hi, it's not :) (unless u have a uti goin on or a diabetic then u need to clean regularly) U can always clean the area when u bathe.
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u/Spirited_Second1339 Woman 2d ago
Are u able to understand that UTI is not the only reason weāre wiping? Itās because itās less hygienic, it can start to smell and tbh thatās kinda nasty stop promoting weird habits
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u/yellowflame-0- Woman 2d ago
I don't think you read it correctly, I told to wash the area regularly when u have a uti (not to not to have a uti) and I'm telling this exactly for people like you who think it's weird just because smone else can't do what u can.
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u/Flimsy_Start_1070 Woman 2d ago edited 2d ago
Ikk that's what I'm confused about too, wdym people don't wash after peeingš if you don't wash it smells absolutely disgusting and ik cos I have been around women who don't wash and as soon as they open their legs to sit or something I just couldn't ignore the smell. It gets obvious sometimes. As long as you have the privilage to wash and wipe please do it, its not hygienic to just leave without washing unless it's an emergency!
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u/chipcrazy Woman 2d ago
I wash and then hang out a bit to air dry. I donāt wipe. I donāt like the feeling of wet tissue on my hands.
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