Managing genital symptoms

Not all symptoms that you may experience around your genitals are caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Symptoms can be caused by a variety of natural changes in your body as well as infections that are not sexually transmitted.

Become very ill and have:

Symptoms to discuss with sexual health services

use a soap substitute (emollient) to add moisture instead of soap – these are available from pharmacies
use non-soap bath additives such as unfragranced bath oil instead of bubble bath
treat athlete's foot straight away to prevent it spreading to your genital area when you pull your underwear on
if you have a penis with a foreskin, always remember to pull back the foreskin gently but fully when washing and dry gently with a towel before replacing the foreskin

do not use soap on or near your genital area, it can be drying
do not let products like shampoo or conditioner run onto your genital skin
do not use bubble baths, essential oils or soap or shower gels in the bath as they'll get onto the genital skin and may cause irritation
do not use wet wipes on the genital skin
do not use feminine washing products – even if they say they are pH balanced as they disrupt healthy bacteria in the vagina
do not ‘douche’ (wash out the vagina with water or other products) as it damages the healthy vaginal organisms and changes their natural balance
do not use fabric softeners

Last updated:

17 March 2023