Rumor: [Alert! The majority of women can’t go to the toilet without toilet paper. However, this habit, which is thought to be hygienic, is a potential risk factor for gynecological diseases. Nowadays, a lot of toilet paper is recycled paper, which carries a lot of bacteria. The best way is to use nothing after urinating and just change your underwear every day. Truth: After urinating, wiping properly with qualified toilet paper will not lead to gynecological infection, but not wiping may lead to vulva and urinary system infection. Therefore, it is correct to dry with clean toilet paper in time after urinating. Of course, changing underwear regularly should also be advocated. Wiping does not lead to vaginitis. The vagina is a structure that is connected to the outside world and cannot be absolutely sterile. However, the vagina relies on its self-cleaning effect to inhibit the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and safeguard vaginal health. Among the normal vaginal flora, Lactobacillus is a dominant flora. Estrogen makes the vaginal tissue structure favorable for the growth of Lactobacillus vaginalis, and the metabolites of Lactobacillus vaginalis keep the vagina in a weak acidic environment between pH 3.8-4.4, thus inhibiting the growth of other bacteria, which is the self-purifying effect of the vagina. In this state, even Gardnerella vaginalis, which may cause bacterial vaginitis, does not cause disease due to its low numbers and slow reproduction [1]. It is because of this self-purification that small amounts of bacteria in the environment, or small amounts of bacteria that get to the outer vaginal opening through toilet paper when wiping the vulva, do not pose a major threat to vaginal health. So what is the usual cause of vaginitis? Vaginitis can occur when the ecological balance of the vaginal flora is disturbed, or when there is a high amount of invasive exogenous pathogens (such as Trichomonas). If the estrogen in the body is lowered (e.g. after menopause) or the weak acidic environment of the vagina is disrupted (e.g. vaginal irrigation), this can make the environment in the vagina unfavorable for the growth of Lactobacillus and disrupt the self-cleaning effect of the vagina. In addition, prolonged application of antibiotics that inhibit the growth of Lactobacillus, or a low immune system (e.g. in diabetic patients and in patients with long-term use of hormones or immunosuppressants) can also allow other pathogenic bacteria to become dominant and cause vaginal inflammation. It should be noted that the weakly acidic environment of the vagina is disrupted after sexual intercourse and the pH can rise to 7.2 and remain there for 6-8 hours, so frequent sexual intercourse can be a risk factor for vaginitis by disrupting the growth environment of Lactobacillus [1]. Rubbing is beneficial in preventing urinary tract infections Because the female urethra is shorter and straighter than that of men, and because the skin of the female perineum has deeper and more folds, bacteria multiplying at the urethral orifice are prone to retrograde infection and cause inflammation of the urethra and bladder. According to foreign data, urinary tract infections occur 50 times more frequently in women than in men among patients aged 20-50 years [2]. According to the World Health Organization, about 50-60% of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and genital tract in women are caused by uncleanliness of the lower body [3]. The most effective way to prevent urinary tract infections is to clean properly. If you do not dry up after urination, the residual urine will make your underwear locally very moist, providing a suitable environment for various bacteria to breed. The growth and reproduction of these bacteria can easily cause inflammation of the urinary system. China’s national standard for toilet paper (GBT20810-2006) also takes into account the importance of hygiene and makes clear requirements for microorganisms in toilet paper: coliforms (common pathogenic bacteria in female UTIs), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus hemolyticus (common pathogenic bacteria in skin infections) must not be detected; it also requires that the total number of microbial colonies must be less than 600/g[4] . . If qualified toilet paper is used, it is unlikely to cause urinary tract infections. In addition, if the vulva is not wiped clean after urination, in addition to the urinary system is susceptible to infection, urine local impregnation may also cause vulvitis and vulvar eczema and other diseases. As you can see, wiping dry in time after urination is a good hygiene habit, and the key is to choose qualified and safe toilet paper. In addition to wipe, what should women pay attention to in their daily pubic hygiene? 1, usually do not hold urine, develop the habit of drinking more water and urinating more, urine flow flushing urethra helps prevent urethritis. 2, after urinating in time to wipe the perineum clean, and use qualified, clean toilet paper. The correct way to wipe: Since the urethra, vagina and anus have increasing defenses against bacteria and decreasing cleanliness, when wiping the perineum, you should wipe from front to back. 4, pay attention to the hygiene during sex. When you have sex with an unfamiliar partner, pay attention to the use of condoms and other protective measures, and promptly treat your partner when he or she has a contagious disease. 5, avoid bathing, try to use the shower. Do not use vaginal irrigation if it is not necessary. 6. Change your underwear regularly and choose loose and breathable fabrics, such as cotton or breathable and quick-drying functional fabrics. Tight and non-breathable chemical fiber underwear can compress the vulva and lead to impaired blood circulation and local humidity, resulting in diseases such as non-specific vulvovaginitis. 7. If you have vulvar discomfort, seek medical attention promptly. Conclusion: Rumor crushing. You should use clean, qualified toilet paper products to dry your vulva in a timely manner after urinating. From a hygienic point of view, the practice of “I don’t wipe” is not advisable.