• Wear cotton underpants rather than nylon underwear, and where possible wash them in pure soaps.
• Wear loose fitting pants, not tight jeans or g-strings, and avoid pantyhose.
• Use 100 per cent cotton sanitary pads and tampons.
• Don't use soaps or any perfumed bath products to wash your vulva – only water or soap substitute (e.g. QV wash, Cetaphil, Sorbolene); Avoid using abrasive washers or wet wipes.
• Pat dry with a towel, don't rub. Never use talcum powder on your vulva.
• Preferably, swim in salt water not chlorinated water.
• After swimming, remove wet swimwear immediately and shower to remove chlorine or salt.
• After going to the toilet, always wipe from front to back to avoid transfer of bacteria from anus to vulva.
• Avoid using commercial lubricants with intercourse - natural oils such as olive or almond oil may be suitable.

Content updated 3 September 2011