Are you making ‘smart’ choices for your womb?

Would you pour bleach on your private parts? Probably not, but what if I told you that that is exactly what millions of women are unknowingly doing all around the world?

Toilet paper, a staple household item in the developed world, is one of the most uncivilized items found in homes and public places across the globe. On average, individuals use toilet paper three to six times a day completely unaware of the toxic chemicals to which they are being exposed. More than 100,000 chemicals are used in commercial paper products, including toilet paper. The most dangerous of these toxins is chlorine and unfortunately, most conventional toilet paper is processed with chlorine bleach to achieve the fluffy, white texture we’ve grown to prefer. What’s worse? It’s found in most of the products we use on a day-to-day basis such as baby wipes, paper towels, coffee filters, milk cartons and tons of other household goods.

Fortunately, there is a growing number of companies on the market that offer alternatives.

“Seventh Generation” offers a natural unbleached toilet paper that is much safer to use. I do not get paid to endorse their products, but I swear they make a difference. I take a roll with me wherever I go because this gives me the reassurance that I am protected.

After prolonged use, bleach users could experience issues from years of toxic buildup. Health problems can appear in the form of cancer, infertility, birth defects, immune system impairments and hormone imbalances.

In addition to fragrances, dyes, and other harmful chemicals, chlorine bleach contains dioxins, which are a known hormone disruptor. Since our bodies cannot excrete dioxins, they just accumulate over time creating a breeding ground for disease.

Women need to understand that the daily intake of harmful toxins negatively affects pH balance and when a woman’s pH is out of balance, that can cause a range of complications with the woman’s womb (uterus) and emotional state. The core reason women have repeat yeast infections, odor, itchiness and/or dryness is because of daily compounded toxic exposure.

Here are four things you can do to take care of your womb:

Avoid/limit alcohol and caffeine consumption. Alcohol and caffeine can disrupt the vagina’s pH level and cause dryness. Drink in moderation and increase water intake to flush your system. Replace alcoholic and caffeinated beverages with alkaline water. Aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses a day for optimal health.

Avoid tight fitting clothing The vagina needs to breathe so opt for loose, unrestrictive clothing and wear cotton underwear.

Avoid sugar. I know that it seems like God would have included chocolate somewhere in our DNA because we all know around our “time of the month” we have a strong craving for sweets like chocolate but this can cause all types of disruptions to our vagina.

Avoid scented feminine hygiene products. Use unscented soap to clean the outer layers of your vagina. The vagina is self-cleansing and easily disrupted with the use of commercial douches, feminine sprays, powders and other unnecessary feminine hygiene products. Research shows that these products can cause cancer and kill good bacteria leaving you vulnerable to diseases.

Tanya Smart is a feminine hygiene care expert and the owner of Smart Self Care Products. For more information, visit www.healmyvagina.com.