How Well Do You Know Your Vagina?
By: Eshal Rose
Tags: Health, Society, Sexual Health, Womens Health, Women

With all the progress being made in the world today, sexual health is still an uncomfortable topic to talk about. Doubts lead us to friends first and then to Google and then to a cycle of information that may or may not be true. Despite what Google says — the hymen doesn’t grow back if you don’t have sex for a long time!

Our culture of considering sex and sexuality as dirty and shameful creates a negative environment for young people where they cannot talk about it openly.

To separate fact from fiction, here are a few things I wish I knew growing up.

Vaginal Discharge is normal.

Yes, everyone has it, and it is normal. Healthy discharge can be clear or white depending upon your cycle. The consistency can change throughout your menstrual cycle.

Vaginal odor is normal.

It is not normal for your vagina to smell like flowers so stop trying to make that happen with douches and deodorants. A slight odor that isn’t strong smelling is normal.

The Vagina is self-cleansing.

Yes, it is. So there is no need to wash five times a day down there. The vagina uses natural secretion and discharge to clean itself and prevent infections.

It is not necessary to wear underwear 24/7.

Underwear can trap excess moisture and microbes. Other than comfort, not wearing underwear can prevent the buildup of heat and moisture, which can increase the risk of infection. It is ok to go commando! Let her breathe once in a while.

Always choose cotton underwear.

Cotton is more breathable, making it best for body parts that tend to lock in moisture. Regularly wearing silk and lace underwear can cause irritation.

Bleached patches on your underwear are normal.

The vaginal discharge is naturally acidic. When exposed to air, it can stain underwear a mild yellow due to oxidation.

Fungal infections are more common than you think.

About 75% of all women will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor in case of itching, soreness, burning while urinating or pain during sex.

Douches and perfumes are a NO.

You don’t need any special products to clean unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Douches and perfumes can cause irritation, alter the pH, and can worsen infections.

And never use soaps inside the vaginal cavity.

The vagina is an internal cavity, not the entire genital area. What you see outside is the vulva. Please do not use soaps inside your vagina.

You can do a vagina workout.

Yep. Kegels can strengthen the muscles around the vaginal opening. Stronger muscles can help to control your orgasms better and make them stronger!

Always urinate after sex.

This helps the urethra to cleanse itself, reducing the chances of developing a urinary tract infection.

Is the G-spot real?

This is still a topic for debate. While researchers search for this mythical spot, why not concentrate on the clitoris instead? It has more than 8000 nerve endings, and according to scientists, its sole purpose is sexual pleasure.

You can’t lose a tampon- or anything- in your vagina.

At the deep end of your vagina is a cervix. It stays closed all the time except during childbirth. So you can’t really lose anything in there.

The hymen is not an indicator of virginity.

The hymen can break during many activities like horse-riding, riding your bike, or playing sports. A ruptured hymen is normal. According to the World Health Organization, there is no test- including the presence of an intact hymen- that can indicate whether a woman has had sex.

Your pubes have a purpose.

Pubic hair serves as a protective barrier to genital tissues, especially the sensitive vaginal opening. It also acts as a buffer against friction. Shaving can cause tiny wounds on the skin, temporarily raising one’s risk of infection.

Your vagina is set at a 130-degree angle.

The vaginal canal rests at an angle in the body, which is why it is recommended to insert tampons and menstrual cups towards your back rather than up and in for easier insertion.

Your vagina will let you know when you are fertile.

The discharge will be clear an stretchy during ovulation. You may also notice more than usual discharge during this time. Do not rely on mucous monitoring alone for pregnancy prevention. It is not always reliable.

Your vagina will also let you know if something is wrong.

Any changes in smell or color of discharge can be an indication of infection requiring a visit to a doctor.

There is so much that we don’t know about our own bodies. We owe it to ourselves to learn more. There is also a lot of embarrassment around vaginas (thanks to those horrible sex-ed classes). Share the right knowledge and go be the badass woman that you are.