Ladies - a question about shaving/waxing... and hygiene

Ok, so... I haven't been able to see over my belly in a while, and so I've ended up leaving certain areas a little unkept (ok ok my motto is if I can't see it its not my problem :lol:). DP has tidied up the area once or twice but I just don't like someone else having a go at that area with a razor!

Anyway, I keep it all nice and clean (I'm not new to being au naturale!), but have been getting thrush A LOT. Ever since I had to take antibiotics for a tooth infection (about 19ish weeks) actually. Which is around the same time I stopped shaving once a week, and have probably shaved about 4 times since then.

Now I suspect (thanks to some help from BB ladies lol) I have a UTI.

Anyway was talking to mum about it, as you do, and she asked if I was hairless (i laughed and asked if she'd actually been pregnant lol) and when I said no said thats why i was getting thrush and the possible UTI.

Is this true? I suspect it isn't. But I'm just wondering... Does hair have any impact (I mean, I imagine it would if I didn't keep myself nice and clean)? I always thought having hair was better than being bald...

Hmm, another thought just came to me... I've been making sure it is really clean... could that have something to do with it? You know, over-cleaning or something.

Bah I don't know! What do you all think? Has hair got anything to do with it or is it just a pregnancy thing, simple as that?

i think you will find it is a combination of pregnancy, antibiotics and soap

I doubt hair causes thush and UTI's. I got thrush once during my pregnancy with DS and never with DD and i've never gone 'bald'. Not sure about over cleaning? I would think that would more cause excema than thrush but it might cause a UTI if got soap in there i'd imagine. Although im no doctor so i could be talking complete rubbish lol.

Yup I'd agree with Tan.
I don't suffer from thrush (knock on wood) and uh... mine is ... uh.... a lot ... well.. hidden (to be polite!!) LOL

I just make sure I change my undies twice a day (cos of a bit more discharge) and that they are plain cotton ones so the "area" can breathe :D

Thrush thrives in warm dark areas, so I'd say it's more that you're not drying thoroughly enough before putting your underwear back on, you're underwear is too tight & causing sweating or the normal discharge at this point in pregnancy is causing it. If you're wearing liners/pads make sure you change them regularly so there's no dampness there because that's where the thrush will grow.

Ive been far from bare both babies and only ever got thrush with Jasmine. I think more over cleaning and dampness to be the cause then having hair there!

Hi Leesha

I get thrush easily from antibiotics- you can get a ProBiotic tablet to help with your natural floura (or fauna.. lol one of the two!!) And i have been- grooming occassionally!!lol Just trimming :) not bald though.

Definately follow all the good advice here too- change undies regularly- dry well and wah- but maybe dont use body wash- i have been getting into bubs nappy rash cleanser and cream!! It seems to be helping!!!

Good luck and i hope your discomfort ends soon xoxo

I don't think it's the hair either. It's not what nature gives you that causes the problem LOL! As others have said, wear cotton underwear, and if you use panty liners buy the breathable ones. Also, you should eat natural yoghurt while on abs to help reduce the risk of thrush or take probiotics.

I couldn't see "down there" either and was planning to clean up before birth. But DS2 arrived too early and boy did I get a shock when I had him and could see the jungle that was there. It was embarrassing to think that the ob and mw had seen that - I mean hello, move over Amazon!! But I didn't have thrush.

Ive had thrush a few times too. I usually get it after DTD, or if I've had a particularly bad diet for a few days, like too much sugary food, or carbs-bread pasta.....For you I'd say it's soap and the antibiotics which has triggered it. Your hair is actually there to keep nasties out, not make it worse, kwim? I can't see my hoohaa either, haven't been able to for months now, LOL! I change my undies twice a day and only wash with soap every two days, and only gently. Wear cotton undies, I have discavered mens undies are the best for now! Hope it goes away soon :)

I am not preggers but my sister is and she uses sapoderm soap and QV wash is really good too as its anti-bacterial! Those damn anti-biotics they do it to you everytime :P They told her not to wear lycra underwear just cotton and that seemed to help also :) Oh and another thing Yoghurt is supposed to be a natural remedy for it hehe

Just my 2 cents worth...

I've been told using "soap" down there can cause thrush, I use body wash all over but never over wash that area. I also wear panty liners (breathable ones) & change those quite alot to keep it fresh down there...

I hope that helps & I hope your thrush & UTI clear up once & for all!!!

I got thrush while pregnant and found that it was a combination of panty liners that didn't breath and soap, so I got a soap free wash for down there, cotton undies and breathable panty liners. I'm fairly sure hair had nothing to do with it.

Definately don't overdo on the cleaning - the vagina is mother natures perfect self cleaning organ, so you don't need to pay it a huge amount of attention kwim? After I had a shower at night I wouldn't put knickers back on as it was able 'breathe' and I felt fresher down there without them. And hair - I could plait mine LMAO. Get yourself some Fast Tract and then In-Liven for the thrush. If you choose to use a yoghurt, make sure it is one with live cultures in it - most normal store brought yoghurts don't have them so they are practically useless in combating thrush.

do you think the midwives cvare if its a bit 'hairy' down there??

as i cant see a thing down there, and i dont think DH would like to try his handy work....havnt asked....

what have you ladies done? Let it go....shaved, waxed ??

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I couldn't see "down there" either and was planning to clean up before birth. But DS2 arrived too early and boy did I get a shock when I had him and could see the jungle that was there. It was embarrassing to think that the ob and mw had seen that - I mean hello, move over Amazon!! But I didn't have thrush.

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:cryinglaugh: same happened to me with my first.
Leash I've really given up on trying to be neat I'm like you and trust no one else with a razor :D I don't think the hair would play a role in anything but I agree with the others soap would play apart

darn the antibiotics eh!
ive let mine go except for er trims.. no waxing, shaving or plucking for me as i just know id get ingrowns seeing as i cant see down there!
i cant imagine the mids care bout how much pubic hair any woman has.. im sure they'd more likely remember the carpets that have been i dunno dyed funky colours?

HI girls
Pregnancy will increase your chance of getting thrush.
The amount of hair has no bearing on thrush.
Excessive use of soap will increase your chance of getting thrush.
Tight pants or undies will increase your chance of getting thrush
Nylon, lycra will increase your chance of getting thrush.
Try to spend some time without undies and let the area breathe
Midwives do not care or comment how much hair you have. We see everything from bald to platable.

Leasha - I am usually quite susceptible to getting thrush but surprisingly havent had it since I fell pregnant.

I found a product at the chemist called 'Vagisil' which is absolutely brilliant. It is PH balanced and soap free, maybe give that a go instead of soap. I know I definitely cant use soap "down there" - upsets the PH level.

Yoghurt that has live cultures in it usually does the trick for me too :)

Thanks for that Alan!!

I have never had thrush but had heard its quite normal in pregnancy or over cleaning.

OK, I've got a somewhat related question - mind if I borrow the thread for a sec? :) How on EARTH do you guys tolerate the itchiness of shaving?!?! I've tried it, and it drove me around the bend! Waxing was a whole other disaster... :redface: Perhaps some of you remember the thread - but believe me, there was blood, sweat, and tears. And DH had to finish the job.
Anyways, I like the idea of being neat and tidy, but I have yet to find a workable solution - what do you do?

I agree with Trillian water is all you need to freshen up the area. Soap of any kind will upset the balance and that's how the nasties grow.
In my antenatal classes the midwife told us to be hairy and proud, LOL, because waxing and shaving will only increase the chance of cuts and ingrowns that can get infected, and possibly cause bigger issues that way. She said Middies just DON'T CARE if you're hairy or otherwise. Seen one, seen 'em all.
Cricket, if you're really concerned about being tidy, how about just trimming with scissors?

I love that post alan, to the point!

I used to get thrush often, but now i ......

- Dont use soap - i use a soap free wash and ensure all dry before i put anything back on
- Only ever wear cotton undies (you can get some kinda sexy ones!!)
- Never wear undies to bed, just my jammie pants
- Take a pro biotic (ever since i started inliven i have not had thrush, not even when on antibiotics!)

GL with getting rid of it hun - might sound yuck, but try putting yoghurt (natural style) all over "down there" and leaving it for a little while, its supposed to get rid of the thrush!

Hope the UTI isnt too uncomfortable.

Hi Cricket

I always used to wax but I have so much trouble getting the time to get to the salon now that I just maintain it the best I can with my epilator (which really hurts so only the bikini line gets done and I just trim the rest). I have the epilator for my underarms. I've tried shaving and depilatory cream on the bikini line and I get horrible itchies and redness as well. It's great for the first day and then I have to spend the next few days resisting the urge to scratch in public, what a nightmare.

Just the other day I heard about a gadget called the Seiko Clean Cut which is an electric razor specifically designed for the pubic area. It only works on stubble so you have to trim right down first but the reviews for it have been amazing, everyone raving about how smooth and irritation-free the shave is, it's been called the pain-free Brazilian. I am seriously considering getting one.

Back on topic, while pregnant I have been using Sebamed Feminine Intimate Wash which is specifically pH balanced for the female genital area so I can just generally feel as fresh as possible but I am not troubled by thrush anyway. Believe me if hair caused thrush I would be continually plagued by it.:redface:

Hi Leasha,

you poor thing, it must be so frustrating. :hug: I get thrush every time i have antibiotics. The thing that clears it up for me is Inner health tablets. They are just capsules with 25 billion good bacteria in them. I'm sure they would be safe to take whilst pregnant. Ask your obs or pharmacist - they will tell you if ok to take. Guaranteed it will clear up in a day or two!!:dance:

Cricket, you could get a men's beard and moustache trimmer/clippers - it will tame the jungle but not so short that there's any issue with ingrown hairs etc.
They usually sell them near the hair-dryers in k-mart etc.

Yeh, just as ALAN said

... my midwives said the same thing & just go without knickers when at home ... which was nice as it was a hot Summer when I was pregnant & I was happy to shed any clothing ;)

i would say get waxed.... you will never go back!!

i think pubic hair acts a little like nasal hair, keeps forgein things out!! its also there to prevent chaffing during DTD!! we have it for a reason!! i also like to be trim and neat too!!

I've actually got a clipper for DH's hair. (I cut it for him.)
.....hmmmm..... I wonder if I should try that. I've got all different length attachments for it. It could be STYLISH! :chair:
Of course, he might not like the idea of me cutting pubic hairs with his hair clipper. :redface:
Maybe I'll try it and see how it goes. Sounds like a much nicer option than the waxing or shaving.

Hi All, OMG this thread just made me LOL - everyone is so different with their personal preferences. I agree with everybody who said it is the anti-biotics - they not only kill the bad bugs, but all your good bugs, and put your whole system out of whack. They cause thrush really badly. Try eating more yogurt.
I wanted to share a funny story in relation to your question about the mid-wives caring about the jungle. I too, had the hugest belly and I was really concerned with 'trimming the bushes' before my big debut... Anyways, I asked my hubbie if he could have a go, and he said he would get the whipper-snipper out... So that was a NO.
So, in the birth suite, whilst jacked-up on their wonderful drugs, they had to break my waters. The mid-wife got out a 'knitting-needle' and I said, "Hey, I know I haven't trimmed lately, but it's not that long to make a scarf out of it!"
All my labours were a comedy fest, I cracked everyone up. I wish we were allowed to be on gas everyday...

This is quite funny, Today I shaved down there for the last time (for a few more months). I was pretty much shaving blind. Looked in the mirror and I managed ok, but this was the first time I just could not see over my belly at all and so I was wondering what other women do. Now I know you've all gone feral, so that's comforting. I guess I'll just let it be. There's no way I'm waxing. Like I'm not in enough pain already.

Antibiotics are notorious for causing thrush. You need Canesten which you can buy at any chemist. Antiobiotics have thrown the biosphere of your vagina into chaos which allowed the yeast to take over and it can be difficult to restore balance to your little galaxy without going in with some serious arsenal. Don't hesitate to get that Canesten!!

I lived in Japan and I took antibiotics for a severe chest infection and I had thrush for months because do you think I could find any Canesten anywhere? It was hell. HELL!!! :wall:

Cricket > Don't use your man's clippers. Pubic hair sends clipper blades blunt in a matter of seconds. It's too expensive to replace the clipper blades. You sound like you have very sensitive skin like me. If you want to shave, don't ever use cheap disposable razors EVER (not even in a bind). You need a proper razor (I prefer men's razors) and you need a new, sharp blade for your bikini area, especially when you start shaving because your skin has to get used to shaving. My skin is very sensitive to ingrown hairs but this has improved over the years. I had to learn to NEVER squeeze or scratch any ingrown hairs, they will clear up on their own very quickly. I generally shave only once a week and let my skin rest between shaves.

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I've actually got a clipper for DH's hair. (I cut it for him.)
.....hmmmm..... I wonder if I should try that. I've got all different length attachments for it. It could be STYLISH! :chair:
Of course, he might not like the idea of me cutting pubic hairs with his hair clipper. :redface:
Maybe I'll try it and see how it goes. Sounds like a much nicer option than the waxing or shaving.

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Do you mean hair clippers for his head? They might be a bit big for the pubic area. The beard and moustache trimmers are much smaller and designed for wirier hair.

I have been CLEAN DOWN THERE since i was 17 (am now 24) even when I was huge with both my boys i still somhow found a way to be clean down there before I went into labour!

I have only ever had thrush twice and my doc told me both times not to use soap down there!

Cricket - I use a remmington hair trimmer like one you get for shaving heads and stiff, just a "Lady" version lol It is ace! no itchiness, and it is short enough....then I just use hair removal cream to do my edges ....lol sounds like mowing a lawn...

Leasha - Soap is not your friend. Do not use soap on the girls. Soap and mucous membranes do not agree (one of the reasons soap stings your eyes). Also, I reccomend cotton undies and none if you dont have to wear them....oh and yeah, the drying thing. :)
Also, go to the chemist and get some Ural - the best invention ever :)

OMG I cannot believe you are 36 weeks already!! So excited for you and Shel!!

I have to say i dont think hair has anything to do with thrush or anything like that but i do find that not having any it feels cleaner (lol)

I have been getting waxed (all of it off) since DD was about 1 and even though im pregnant i still go get waxed, my waxer knows me very well and she gets all the bits (like ingrown hairs) that i cant see cause of my belly.
I warn it may be awkward at first for those who are sensitive or shy (i was both at first but now it doesnt bother me) i mean you are laying there with no pants on but its no worse than if you were at the docs.
So if all else fails try getting waxed. It lasts so much longer as well, when i shaved it wold be 5mm-1cm after a week getting waxed it is like that after week 5
If yours in the S.E Subrubs of Melbourne go to Tantilise at Fountain Gate and ask for Kelly, she is awesome and she will make you feel very welcome.
Good luck to all. :)