getting to know your vagina
First off, your vagina does not look weird! Regardless of the type of vagina you have, All are beautiful. Let’s get into the facts:
Growing up, most of us were not thinking about or even allowed to google billions of pictures of vaginas to see what they are “supposed to look like”.The taboo around the vagina has made it hard for us to truly understand the uniqueness of the vagina. Every vagina is unique, some lips ( or in medical terms labium minus) hang longer than others, while others lips are tucked inside and don't hang at all.
Your vagina is a self cleaning organ
Once puberty hits our bodies go through a lot of weird changes and we may start experiencing unpleasant odors down there. Our initial reaction to something smelling odd on our body is to wash it off with soap but, soap has no business in your pussy. Products like Summer’s Eve and Vagisil will have you thinking otherwise. We want you to have the most healthy cat ever, we care!
These vaginal cleaning products are sold everywhere and are posed as “feminine hygiene” products but they are not necessary. You may see them on your cousin’s dresser, on a commercial, or even in the aisle next to pads and tampons. The idea that you need anything other than water to cleanse your vagina is false, Your vagina is a SELF CLEANING organ! Pussy power is a thing for a reason, our bodies are pretty wild.
A fun fact is that our vagina is more than likely to be one of the cleanest organs in our body. Sources say it is cleaner than your mouth! Yup, facts on facts. The lining of the vagina is made up of various glands that release fluids designed to cleanse and lubricate the vagina. Soap will interfere with the vagina's natural flora and rid it of the important bacteria that does the job of keeping it clean. Removing your natural fluids can interfere with your body's pH balance and cause infections. We know that you may be concerned about odor, and you’re not alone. If we're being honest here, it truly happens to all of us at some point. There are tons of natural remedies to get rid of that if you aren’t suffering from odor because of an STD or other diseases.
Vagina discharge is normal
Have you ever just been chillin’ and minding your own business and then randomly you feel a weird wetness in your panties? It kind of feels like you lowkey peed on yourself or started your period. You know that you’re not sexually aroused or on your period and you’re a grown ass woman so you know how to hold your pee so you’re just super confused? Welp, SAME SIS! Meet our liquidy friend, and its name is Vagina Discharge.
Vagina Discharge is the stuff that is gooey, kind of sticky, and it can have a whitish clear color to it. Discharge can even leave a yellow stain on your underwear. Discharge is very normal and it does not mean you’re horny, unhealthy, or weird. Discharge varies among women, some healthy women emit loads of discharge to the point where they have to wear panty liners every day and some might be on the drier side. If you are not at risk of an STD and if you don’t have any itching, burning, or intense odor, your vagina is doing just fine. If you are ever in serious doubt about discharge see a gynecologist ASAP!
Why does it happen? What is its purpose?
Vaginal discharge usually begins around the time of your period when you are undergoing hormonal changes. The type of vaginal discharge your body produces can shift during your menstrual cycle and during your lifetime. Vaginal discharge is made up of fluids from your uterus, cervix, and vagina. When your body releases an egg from your ovary, your vaginal discharge can become thicker. This is called ovulating. It happens every month typically two weeks before your period. So expect is every month!
During pregnancy, your body may produce more vaginal discharge than usual. As you age and experience menopause, your body can produce less or no vaginal discharge because the body is no longer ovulating and estrogen levels shift.
BEWARE:
Bleached tampons and other feminine hygiene products contain toxic ingredients!
According to an article in the Huffington Post, tampons and sanitary pad manufacturers are NOT required to disclose ingredients because feminine hygiene products are considered “medical devices”. Products tend to have that ultra-white clean look. Crest commercial type white, and this is because many tampons and pads use chlorine bleach. Odor neutralizing products also contain chemicals such as artificial colors, polyester, adhesives, polypropylene, and propylene glycol. The LAST thing you need anywhere near your vagina is any of these substances, so stick to natural alternative hygiene products (which will be listed at the end of this article).
What is toxic shock syndrome?
Toxic Shock Syndrome is a disease of menstruating women who use tampons. In the late 70’s Toxic Shock syndrome became prevalent because a large amount of women using very absorbent tampons. These tampons were later removed from the market. More than a third of all cases of toxic shock involve women under 19, and up to 30% of people diagnosed will get it again at a later time in their life.
How does one avoid getting Toxic Shock Syndrome?
With the right environment, a bacteria called staph can grow in your body. When you use tampons, especially for long periods of time it acts as a supportive place for the rapid growth of bacteria. Your body responds to this bacteria by dropping in blood pressure which deprives the organs of oxygen which can lead to death. To minimize your risk of Toxic Shock syndrome:
Don’t use tampons overnight
Use alternatives to tampons such as pads
If you do use tampons, change them at least every 4 hours
Sex is NOT supposed to hurt!
Sex is not supposed to hurt but it does for many women. If you're one of those women, see your doctor. So many women are too embarrassed to say anything, so they suffer in silence. Everyone has a different level of sensitivity and that's OKAY!
Did you know that your vagina is actually pretty similar to a penis?
Your vagina has the prepuce, the glans, and the frenulum, just like the penis. The clitoris, while smaller in size than the penis, has twice as many nerve endings. There are 8000 nerve endings in the clitoris, dedicated exclusively to pleasure and the penis has 4000. So with that being said, vaginas are TWICE as sensitive as penises. Your vagina is the portal to amazing sensations! The more informed you are about yourself, the more informed your decisions can be.
Holistic Alternatives:
Natural alternatives to lube: Vegetable and mineral oils like avocado, coconut, and olive oil can be used as a personal lubricant.
Natural tampon brands: Lola, Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons, L Organic, Natracare, The Honest Company, Cora, Organyc, and Bon.
Natural remedies for odor: Apple cider vinegar, baking soda, probiotics, white vinegar and sea salt, tea tree oil, garlic, fresh fruit (PINEAPPLES) and vegetables, nuts and seeds, water, and neem bark extract.
Probiotics: Spring Valley Women's Health Probiotic Vegetable Capsules
UTI Natural healer: Cranberry juice (This will help relieve symptoms until you get your prescription from the doctor)