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
Just remember we are all human, we all have intimate health problems at some point in our life. 🙂
I don’t mind talking about feminine hygiene with my friends, we are all on the same page – we aren’t prude and we have a laugh with it to ease any tension that someone might have.
be confident when talking and dont be embarrassed
Relax and have no fear of actually saying the word Vagina!
rest assured that other people have experienced these things before you and it is not as uncommon as you make think.
I always look on the internet for info. but if a close friend indirectly mentioned something in those lines, I would most likely and initially say “oh yes, I had a problem like that” it almost certainly puts the other person at ease and their problems will start to flow.
Always be open about topics. discuss with close friends or professionals
many thanks for opportunity to win a great prize
Always be open with your children about it and don’t make a big deal about bringing it up
Just remember that they’ve heard it all before
Just think we’ve all got one!
The doctor or nurse has heard it all and seen it all before so just take a deep breath and say what needs to be said.
Just be open and honest with a smile 🙂
My own personal preferences regarding female issues are first to go to the family member I am closest to in my case my mum as whatever the issue they are more likely to have already been through it and understand your feelings and i find that growing up they didn’t have the chance to talk about there issues so I’m sure they apprieate being needed and trusted in that manner and if a doctors appointment is needed I find it more comfortable to go to a older female doctor and if possible a doctor that has been in the family for years
Keep telling yourself its natural and it will start to #GetComfortable !
I’m not sure I really need to talk about it to be honest. If there is a problem then I’m more than happy to talk to my doctor about it but other than that I don’t see there’s any need. I don’t talk to people about my health as I don’t feel it’s their business.
Being educated
Ask for a female GP
Just remind yourself that you won’t be the first one with a question or problem in this area. I wish there would be more spoken about it. There is so much advice about pregnancy but I was shocked about how much bleeding you have list par tum (the hubby had to go to the supermarket in the middle of the night to buy more maternity towels as I thought 2 packs would be plenty)
Ask for a female doctor or nurse