The vagina is complicated let’s face it! It can be a complete mystery to women, and of course, men too! Here are some common myths surrounding the female genitalia that have many women scratching their heads.
- Talking about the vagina is taboo.
More than 45% of women never talk about their vaginal health with anyone, not even their healthcare provider.
65% of women said they are uncomfortable saying the word “vagina”. 90% of women say they think we need better vaginal health education. 8 out of 10 women say they have experienced vaginal issues in the past year. Ladies, we need to make our vagina a health priority and talk about whatever issues you might be experiencing with you vagina. Vaginal dryness, itching, pain with sex, inability to have an orgasm and persistent vaginal odors and discharge are just some of the everyday complaint’s women are not talking about. If you are suffering from any of these types of common problems talk to your healthcare provider. It’s time to be shameless about our vaginal health. Let’s change the dialogue on how we take care of our bodies and vaginas. The Vagina Revolution is here!
- Vagina Confusion
Most women call everything “south of the belly button” or “down there” the “vagina”. You have to know all the part of the vagina in order to help understand how to take care of yourself with daily hygiene and sexual health. The “vagina’ is actually the muscular canal that connects the cervix and uterus to the outside world. The vagina is flexible and can stretch large enough to have a baby come through it. The vulva is the outside of the female genitalia and includes the lips or labia minora (small lips), labia majora (larger lips), the opening of the vagina (introitus), the clitoris and the urethra (where urine comes out). You have to know all parts of your female genitalia so you can talk about any problems you are experiencing with each of these lady parts. Get a mirror out and learn what is down south!
- My partner was tested for STI’s so he doesn’t have to wear a condom.
Enforcing the “safe sex” rule is so important in protecting yourself against STI’s, especially HPV. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are setting alarming new records. According to the data released in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s annual “Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report”, cases of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis in 2016 was the highest number recorded in the country’s public health history with more than 2 million cases. Chlamydia led the charge with approximately 1.6 million diagnoses in 2016. For women, untreated STI’s can have shattering long-term results. It can lead to infertility, stillbirth, and leave women more vulnerable to HIV infection. Other cast of characters includes HPV, Herpes, HIV, Trichomonas’s, Hepatitis and the Zika virus. HPV is the most common STI, affecting 80%
of women and men once they become sexually active. Using condoms regularly will help protect you against contracting HPV but it is not a 100% guarantee. Prevention is the best defense against STIs.
- Kegels are just for women who had babies.
The truth is Kegels should be a part of your daily exercise routine.
Kegel exercises help make the muscles in your pelvic and vaginal area strong. These pelvic floor muscles support the uterus, bladder and bowels which control bladder and bowel function. Kegel excises are meant to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. There are many reasons over time you can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, from pregnancy and childbirth to aging and being overweight. The effect of weakening the pelvic floor results in your pelvic organs dropping and creating a bulge into your vagina. When this occurs, it is called pelvic organ prolapse. Symptoms from a prolapse range from an uncomfortable pelvic pressure to leakage of urine. Kegel exercises can help delay or even prevent pelvic organ prolapse and other related symptoms. If done correctly and repeatedly over time, you can avoid symptoms such as loss of urine (peeing accidents!) or other bladder problems caused by childbirth, aging and obesity. Kegel exercises can also make sexual intercourse more enjoyable for you and your partner. You will notice a benefit to your pelvic floor strength in 8 to 12 weeks when done faithfully. You are a never too young to do Kegel exercises!
- The G-Spot doesn’t really exist!
There is an ongoing debate as to whether the G-spot actually exists. For those “believers,” myself included, the G-spot is located one to three inches on the top or anterior surface of the vagina. If you insert your finger into the top surface of your vagina, up to about the second knuckle, the slightly bumpy mound or ridged area you reach can be identified as the G-spot (some describe it as having the same texture as a raisin). When a woman is sexually aroused, the G-spot fills with blood, giving it a swollen feeling. When properly stimulated, you may orgasm or even ejaculate!
Truth is not all women respond sexually to stimulation of this apparently magical place known as the G-spot, so don’t worry if you’ve tried and failed to locate it. It is not a magic button, rather, another avenue in achieving sexual pleasure. If you haven’t tried to locate it, you might want to try to do so, on your own or with your partner.
- The Vagina DOES NOT fart!!
Do you have a noisy vagina? Many of us do. Vaginal “farts”, vaginal “flatulence” fanny farts, varts or “queefing” all describe an often embarrassing female phenomenon. When air is released out of the vagina, a sound is made that is sometimes described as queefing.
How does the air get into the vagina in the first place?? It happens when a penis, fingers or sex toy go in and out of the vagina bringing additional air along with it. Sex can involve a lot of thrusting of the penis in and out of the vagina typically pushing extra air into a dead-end space. The only way for the air to escape the vagina is through the same door, creating a sound like expelling gas from the rectum.
Certain sexually positions such as doggy style and inverted missionary position seem to increase the queefing effect. The only way to prevent queefing is if you don’t put anything inside the vagina. Other causes of queefing include certain forms of exercise or work out routines.
It’s best to enjoy these awkward moments by laughing about it knowing you both are probably having a really great time creating the queefing effect!
- I cannot have an orgasm during vaginal penetration there must be something wrong with me.
With its 10,000 highly sensitive nerve endings, the main function of the clitoris is to give pleasure. When stimulated, it becomes 3 times its size, and will ultimately bring you to an orgasm. During vaginal penetration, if may be difficult to have a clitoral orgasm but you can have a vaginal orgasm. The majority of women have a clitoral orgasm only during oral and manual stimulation of the clitoris. With patience and practice you can learn to have a vaginal orgasm.
- Is the vagina self-cleaning?
Your vulva is very sensitive and needs to be cleaned every day. Using the wrong types of soap can cause irritation and bad odor. Avoid soaps which are heavily perfumed, contain too many unnatural ingredients, or have antibacterial properties which upset the natural balance of your body. Using a gentle, non-fragranced soap and natural skin moisturizer daily is ideal, especially ones made specifically for the vulva. Your vulva does need a special cleaning routine and it usually begins with using a non-fragranced soap and warm water. You cannot use the same soap to clean your feet and underarms to wash your vulva!
- There is no such thing as normal vaginal discharge!
Women have a normal white vaginal discharge along with healthy bacteria that protect the vagina from infection. A healthy discharge will look clear to milky in color and will have a “vagina-like” smell. The vagina is not meant to smell like a rose garden but the vagina has a familiar scent. Depending on the time of month, the vaginal discharge can change in consistency and smell. You do not have to clean the inside of the vagina but you can clean the opening of the vagina or the introitus. Keeping the vulva clean has to be at the top of your daily feminine ritual. If you just had a workout before going to work or took a long walk during your lunch break, taking a shower is not always an option. For those times when you want to feel fresh and clean in the vulva and vaginal area, you can use vulva friendly cleansing cloths to remove odor causing bacteria which keeps the vulva clean, fresh and protects the sensitive pH-balance. Using Blissful Escape cleansing cloths are my go-to vulva wipes for those on-the-go moments when you need to feel clean and odor-free.
The bottom line it to get to know your entire female genitalia and all the wonderful things it’s capable of doing!!
