How to 'winterproof' your vagina as experts warn cold weather could wreak havoc on intimate health

As winter approaches, some women prep holiday shopping lists or donate old clothing, while others tend to a less festive chore - 'winterproofing' their vaginas.

During the coldest months, people may turn to long hot baths, indulge in more alcohol and treats and wear layers of heavy clothes, all of which can take a toll on vaginal health.

While the weather itself isn't so extreme as to cause your nether regions to stop working, some of the behaviors you might pick up in the winter months could lead to some unpleasant changes.

As temperatures drop, cold air dries out skin all over the body, including the area surrounding the vulva, the external parts of the vagina.

All together, these factors can lead to skin irritation and a disruption to the bacteria which helps keep the intimate area healthy.

In order to prevent it, experts recommend choosing natural underwear, cutting down on perfumed products, balancing your diet and hydrating to help keep your system happy through the cold, dark season.

Adrienne Benjamin, a registered nutritionist and marketing manager at ProVen Probiotics, told DailyMail.com: 'During the colder winter months, we naturally "up" our home comforts, such as taking long hot baths, turning up the central heating and wearing lots of layers to keep warm.'

She added: 'The combination of colder temperatures and multiple Christmas parties can actually have a detrimental effect on the health of your vagina'.

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Skin tends to get drier and itchier in the winter months, and that can include the skin around the vulva, however, the tissue itself is largely unaffected, Dr Jen Gunter, a gynecologist and author said.

Dr Gunter told Refinery 29: 'Vaginas function quite well in all seasons.'

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ home to billions of bacteria that co-exist in a delicate balance, maintaining the pH and health of the area.

In warm, wet conditions, the pH can get thrown off, allowing certain kinds of 'bad bacteria', to thrive. This can cause urinary tract infections or bacterial vaginosis.

Both infections are usually mild and easily treatable, but can come with unpleasant side effects like vaginal itching, burning while peeing and a foul odor.

But there are things you can do to keep your intimate health in the best shape during freezing temperatures.

First, Benjamin said, you need to consider your clothing. It's crucial to wear warm layers to beat a winter storm.

This creates the opportunity, however, for a warm, sweaty environment in your genital region, which, if trapped by the wrong fabric, can be a breeding ground for fungus and unhealthy bacteria.

Certain fabric types, like nylon, polyester or lace, are more likely to are more likely to irritate your private parts than others.

Instead of those fabrics, Benjamin recommends wearing underwear woven from natural fibers like cotton.

She said: 'swap your synthetic underwear which traps moisture, for more breathable fabrics such as cotton which can help keep intimate areas cool.'

After looking at your underwear, Benjamin noted women should be careful about their shower products.

She said: 'As relaxing as a long hot bath is, adding perfumed products may disrupt your vagina's natural ecosystem.'

The bacteria in your vagina and vulva works together with glands to keep the area moisturized and balanced.

Frequently scented bath materials can throw off the balance of good bacteria like Lactobacillus, leading the area to feel irritated and raising the risk of developing yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

After that, there's sugar. It's a popular idea that overdoing it on sugar and sweeteners can weaken your immune systems, leading to more yeast infections, Dr Jessica Shepard, a Texas-based OBGYN told Health .

Yeast infections occur when overgrowth of natural fungus in the vagina causes itching, irritation, vaginal pain and discharge. Using antibiotics, pregnancy and an impaired immune system can raise your risk of developing the condition.

About three in every four women will develop a yeast infection at some point in their life. The symptoms, though uncomfortable, are not dangerous, and can be treated with over the counter creams or suppositories.

However, the research linking sugar to yeast infections is limited, and suggests this pattern only occurs in women with diabetes . That's still 15million American women, the CDC estimates.

Heather Bartos, a Texas-based OBGYN told Refinery29, the average person enjoying a few more holiday treats shouldn't be worried about their vaginal health.

She said: 'Munching on the occasional gingerbread should be fine.'

Finally, one of the ways to best care for your vagina, and your overall health, is to stay hydrated. According to Harvard Health, it's recommended that women drink about 11.5 cups of water per day.

Drinking alcohol, a frequent part of holiday plans, can dehydrate you, and in turn has the potential to disrupt your intimate health.

Staying hydrated helps keep your organs running correctly, making sure the glands that keep your tissues moist are pumping out an adequate amount of fluid. Also, staying hydrated can help you avoid feeling dryness on the skin, which sometimes happens during the winter months.

This includes the skin around the vulva. Dr Karen Duncan, an OBGYN in New York, told Refinery 29, if you are experiencing some skin dryness down there, you can use a fragrance free moisturizer for sensitive skin.