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
Fab prize
Just think about it as any other health issue – it’s all part of your body after all!
Don’t feel embarrassed, if people were more open about it, it wouldn’t be such a taboo subject. I remember running from the room mortified, when my mum told my dad I had started my period! My own daughter knew about such things from a young age and tells all and sundry every month. Thankfully times have moved on, and in a decade from now, feminine health will be a common topic to discuss I would imagine.
DONT TREAT IT WITH TABOO
If you are straight to the point when discussing female health you should never be embarrassed it’s life. Thanks
Glance away slightly when discussing these personal matters – if you look straight at the person they will either look embarrassed or laugh.
Just do it and dont worry about what other think. My 2 older girls have taught me that
break the ice by starting with ‘I was reading…….’
Rachael Jess recently posted…Craft: How I made a Monster Book of Monsters
My best tip for discussing intimate health is literally just go for it! The longer you think about something and what to say, the worse or more embarrassing it usually is. If you just take the plunge sooner rather than later, you’ll have less time to get worked up about it and will usually see it’s really not a big deal!
I can honestly say, I don’t feel embarrassed about talking about intimate health. Having my husband as a best friend is also helpful! I can talk to him about anything. Also, seeing a female GP is always helpful, saves any embarrassment too 🙂
We’re all human and two types of people – male and female 🙂 xx
I think being open and honest about our bodies is so very important and I encourage my children to discuss things when they want to. It helps if you make it lighthearted x
Cathy Glynn recently posted…My Sunday Photo – 3rd January 2016
i have none as i just dont feel embarressed.i think i just got to that age where im not bothered.but if i had to give one it would be to remember everyone is the same and docs have heard it a million times before so dont be.
Try and remember you are not alone when talking about intimate health. If I feel a little embarrassed I ask to speak to a female doctor or nurse.
We’re all human, we all have bodily functions and, if you’re talking to a healthcare professional, they’ve probably heard and seen MUCH ‘worse’.
I have always been honest and open about personal issues. Having a teen I want him to be able to feel comfortable coming to me or his dad with any issues
Just go for it
If you are embarrassed you could have dicussions on women’s internet chat rooms, that way you can stay anonymous
Just say it as it is..say the facts and be yourself..We all have either a vagina or a penis and why shouldnt we be open about our intimate health 🙂
It’s important to remember that we’re all human, we all have the same bodies when you boil it down the simplest form, they just look different sometimes.
Nothing to be ashamed of, it’s nature, embrace it/
Happy New Year!
Hannah
– smeethsaysfashion.com
after 5 children I don’t find discussing female problems at all, I suppose I have become used to it now. my advice to anyone would be to remember that they have probably heard it all before