Photo Credit: Roberto Condado via Compfight cc
Comfort is something I am really big on. I very rarely stray from my favourite jeans, I always have a pair of fluffy slippers on my feet and if I can be wearing pyjamas, I will be. The postman is used to seeing me in pyjamas now, it’s fine.
If you talk about being comfortable most people will mention things such as soft pyjamas, fluffy new socks, a duvet day on the sofa or a pair of shoes that cushion your feet even after hours spent Christmas shopping. But comfort goes deeper than that – comfort starts with the bodies underneath the clothes.
Now I have never been one to feel totally comfortable in my own skin. As a teenager, I had the usual discussions with my friends – how to get rid of spots, the best hairstyle for my face shape, how to get away with wearing that short skirt to school. But would I have talked to them about my private parts? Would I heck! There may have been giggling references to period pains, but never anything more than that. I guess that’s considered ‘normal’ at that age – but really, should it be? Or should we actually be encouraging our teens to discuss their vaginas as they would any other part of their body? Is it really any different to our arms, legs or boobs?
Things changed a bit when I had children. Growing and birthing 4 children has meant I have had to be a lot more open about my feminine areas. I have had people stick their hands and surgical instruments up there – and in all honestly why should that be an issue? It’s a part of my body that is designed to birth a baby. That’s the primary function. That’s what it was made for. I am a big advocate of breastfeeding, and allowing women to feed uncovered and un self-consciously whenever and wherever they choose. So why should talking about a vagina be any different? 50% of the human race have one. Most of those have, or will have, a child. As nature intended.
Post birth, it’s also something we don’t talk about – but this maybe the time when we really should. Supporting other women who need advice about stitches, episiotomy scars, bleeding, thrush, post birth sex, and all the other things that go hand in hand with childbirth and the recovery. If we all just admitted that we were struggling, that childbirth is a major trauma, that we all need some advice about remedies and cures that could help us, maybe we would all feel a lot more comfortable.
It’s a part of our body. It’s a part of our body that has a very important function, and yet we still forget that, and shy away from talking about it to anyone – parents, siblings, friends, even healthcare professionals. I am as guilty as anyone else of not being open enough, but I want that to change. It’s important. A smear test could save your life. A chat about symptoms could save someone elses.
On that note, remember how important it is to keep your vagina clean and healthy – why that is such a taboo topic I don’t know. We clean the rest of our bodies without a second thought, we recommend shower gels and moisturisers, but we don’t recommend vaginal care products do we? Well now I am. Wear cotton underwear, don’t use perfumed products down there, and keep a stock of the new Canesten products – they have a great range of feminine care products to help you take care of an important part of your body at all times. #GetComfortable
Do you think you have enough knowledge about how to take care of your intimate health on a daily basis? Do you, as a woman, feel awkward about discussing feminine intimate health?
What are your best tips for not feeling embarrassed about discussing your intimate health? If you feel able to leave me a comment below, you could be in with a chance to win a £50 John Lewis voucher – good luck!
This post has been supported by Canesten, but all thoughts are my own.
Terms and conditions. Giveaway runs from 17/12/2015 to 7/1/2015. To enter the Prize Draw, entrants must post a comment in response to this Canesten ‘Get Comfortable’ post, via the
Rafflecopter Widget. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Multiple or third party entries are not permitted. The Prize Draw is open to UK residents aged 18 or over, excluding employees of the Promoter, their families, agents or anyone else connected with the Promoter. One winner will be selected at random from all valid entries received on or before the closing date.The winner will be notified by email from the promoter, within 28 days of the closing date. The winner must notify the promoter of their postal address for delivery of the prize within 28 days of being notified that they are the
winner. If the winner does not respond within 28 days a new winner will be selected at random from the remaining valid entries. The prize is not transferrable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash. Competitions at ThePrizeFinder
I think best tip is to be open and honest about things from the get go, I discuss all things private with my kids, periods etc so they know it is nothing to be embarrassed about.
chantelle Hazelden recently posted…Christmas Bark Recipe
laugh about it to get the conversation going
Many people have these issues and professionals have seen so many patients about it so they’ve seen and heard it before so it’s nothing to worry or be embarrassed about. Choose a same sex nurse or doctor as it may help you to feel more confident in talking about it
remember that they have seen it all before & worse!
Just remember the doctor/consultant/nurse must have the same conversation with other women every single day so you are nit the first and certainly won’t be the last!
The more you talk about it the less daunting it becomes.
Health care professionals are in their roles because they chose to be, so remember they are not there to judge only to help, whatever you tell them will not phase them and is totally in confidence, in my experience they are extremely easy to talk to and once you have spoken up once it will be easier going forward and any stress levels you had will be alleviated #GetComfortable
I always try and remember that health professionals deal with issues with these areas all the time and is is better to be open and honest in the first place. Since giving birth and having everyone poking, prodding and stitching up down there im much more relaxed about discussing it lol! x
Jess Howliston recently posted…Christmas Degustabox **REVIEW** and Discount Code.
My best tip is to communicate openly with your children, make them understand that it is something natural and normal to talk about so whenever they have a question they wouldn’t be scared or embarrassed to ask
If you discuss it once you will find it easier to discuss it again
It is important not to feel embarrassed about it because we are all human with all the same parts 🙂
It will be a huge relief after you discuss your health issues
from a male point of view, I just try to remind myself that any personal bits of me are viewd as just another part of the body by Doctors and be honest and frank.
I always tell my children it is better to be embarrassed BUT alive and well, we find having a good giggle helps then sort the problem out.
Take a deep breath and just say it… it’s not the easiest thing in the world, but thinking too much about it makes it a whole lot worse!
Super giveaway, thank you 🙂 x
I’m quite open and don’t get embarrassed easily. I think it’s important to be honest and allow an open, natural conversation to take place. I have four year old twin girls and have no qualms talking to them about their bodies. We actually had a discussion this morning about the anatomically correct names for their body parts. They thought it was hilarious, but it’s good to be able to talk to them openly about it!
Emily Higgins recently posted…On the fifth day of Christmas – A Christmas Craft
just think everyone has the same bits so ultimately the same problems
try to concentrate on the issue and if not looking in the person’s eyes will help then thats the way
Victoria Mylittlel recently posted…Arts & Crafts: handprint and footprint salt dough Christmas
use the language that makes you comfortable, they will get the jist.
Discuss it with people you trust & are comfortable with. Girlfriends are great!
I think it’s all about not making it a taboo subject so being open with your daughters about hygiene and problems you can get down there. As well as having good friends you can be open and honest with without feeling that they will laugh or judge you.
make a joke out of it that way you feel less embarassed