7 things everyone with a vagina NEEDS to know
Polly Logan-Banks
Content EditorFrom steaming to shaving, there's more misinformation than fact online when it comes to caring for our lady gardens. We've delved into the science to bust some myths and bring you all the info you need to know to keep your vagina healthy.
This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
1. That's not your vagina!
Most of us are in the habit of calling pretty much everything down there our 'vagina'. But actually, the vagina is just the inside part – the muscular tube that connects to your womb. The outside part, including the labia and clitoris, is known as the vulva. Bet they never delved that, ahem, deep in GCSE biology!
Using the right words is important for two reasons:
- Psychological: some women don't like using the correct terms because they feel there's something awkward or dirty about the words. The more we use the correct terms, the less power they have to make us feel weird.
- Medical: if you ever have any kind of medical issue, being able to use the right terms will make it easier to explain to healthcare professionals, helping to ensure you get the right treatment.
Pro tip: if saying the words 'vagina' or 'vulva' feels strange to you, it's probably just because you haven't had enough practice! Try it now, or next time you're alone! Go on, just say the world 'vulva' out loud.
We'll wait...
See? That wasn't so bad, was it? The more often you say it, the more normal it will feel.
2. Pubic hair is healthy
These days, a near naked foof is the most common foof ... it seems everyone's shaving or waxing off most of their pubic hair. But is it really a good idea? Experts generally say no.
This is because shaving, waxing or otherwise depilating causes small breaks in the skin, which can easily become infected.
A large 2017 study even found that people who regularly groomed their pubic hair were more likely to catch an STI. Although more research is needed, it does hint that removing pubic hair may have a downside greater than the ouch factor.
In case you're worrying that leaving your pubes flying free is unhygienic, rest assured: the NHS says that 'there are no medical benefits' to removing pubic hair.
If you do still want to wax, be sure to visit a clean, reputable salon. And if you want to shave, use a sharp razor and shave in the direction that the hair grows – this can reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
You could also consider using clippers to keep things trim and tidy instead.
3. Vaginas are self-cleaning
Yes, you read that right.
According to the NHS, the natural discharge that all women produce works to keep the vagina and vulva clean. That means there's no need to douche, steam or use any other products to clean inside.
In fact, douching can disrupt the natural balance of your vagina and lead to irritation, while steaming can cause serious burns. So leave it alone!
Now, if they can just work out how to apply this self-cleaning principle to the rest of us!
4. Pelvic floor exercises = better orgasms
All mums know how important pelvic floor exercises are ... for many post-baby they're all that stands between us and wet knickers every time we cough, sneeze and jump! But hands up, most of us find it hard to remember to do them the recommended three times a day.
Yep, three!
Well, if you need more motivation, this could be it!
Research has shown that regular pelvic floor exercises can improve your sex life, making sex more pleasurable and taking your orgasms to new heights. Even the NHS agrees!
Here's how:
Squeeze your muscles as if you were trying to stop yourself from weeing mid-stream and trying to hold in a fart at the same time. Hold for up to 10 seconds, then release. Repeat eight times.
Try to do a set of eight squeezes three times a day. Don't worry if you can't manage it at first – build up to it over time.
To help you remember, try to include pelvic floor exercises in your daily routine, so maybe while waiting for the kettle to boil, brushing your teeth, or doing your makeup.
5. Every vagina is its own ecosystem
And no, we don't just mean when the pubes are like a jungle!
You may have heard that we all have a balance of 'good' bacteria in our stomachs, but did you know that the same goes for vaginas, too?
Every vagina contains many different kinds of 'good' bacteria that help to keep it healthy. That's why you shouldn't use antibacterial or antibiotic products on your vagina unless advised by a doctor or pharmacist. It's also why you'll often hear adverts talking about the 'delicate balance' of your vagina - it's really the balance of bacteria they mean.
6. You don't pee out of your vagina
This one shouldn't need saying, but if the famous anatomy lesson scene in Orange Is The New Black is anything to go by, apparently it does ...
When you wee, it comes out of a small hole called the urethral opening. This is located close to the entrance of the vagina, so it may seem as though the wee is coming from the vagina – but it isn't!
If you're not familiar with the ins and outs of your own vagina and vulva, we highly recommend grabbing a hand mirror, firmly locking the door, and taking a moment to get up close and personal.
It may feel a bit weird at first, but demystifying your own lady bits can be incredibly empowering.
7. The vagina changes with age (but there is something you can do about it!)
Along with all the other wonderful surprises about ageing – such as grey hairs, an inability to get up without making a weird noise and sudden confusion over modern music – decreases in certain hormones mean that the vagina usually becomes, erm, less moist than it once was.
But don't suffer in friction-filled silence!
A good water-based lubricant can do wonders for making sex just as great as it ever was (in fact, there's no need to wait until you're older – lube can gee things up at any age).
Lubido is a water-based lubricant that's ideal for even sensitive skin. See more details here at Amazon.
If lube doesn't cut it, and your vagina becomes sore or itchy, do go and see your GP. It may feel like something that's not worth bothering medical professionals over, but GPs have seen it all before, and hormone replacement therapy can help.
Learn even more about your vagina by reading our articles below, or swap tips on keeping things tidy in our forum.
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This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
