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
If its a medical professional – they’ve heard it all before. (And probably much, much worse!). If its not, they will likely be so happy you raised the subject there is really no need to feel awkward. Just do it 🙂
Talk about it with a few close friends first to help get you used to discussing it.
Confide in a close friend or your GP. Don’t ignore any symptoms and make sure you go for your smears.
talk to someone your comfortable with and relaxed around
Talk to people you are comfortable with and have a laugh about it! Nothing to feel weird about,
Have kids, then nothing is embarrassing after that
Ha ha agree with pp, once you’ve had kids you don’t care any more!
To remember they have seen it all before, but if it helps to speak to a Dr you trust they will appreciate that. You can also take someone with you if that may help you.
talk to a health professional they will not be fazed as will of heard it lots of times, they can reassure you and help you get the advice or treatment needed
Remember that it’s about taking responsibility for your own health and choose the right professional to talk to
maintain a sense of humour and see the funny side xx
i think first talking about it with your sisters or mother, really helps ease it or close firends even…whatever you feel comfortable with
Best tip I find is always talk to person you trust the most or family doctor as they herd all before nothing embarrassing to them talk to you mum she be first one to listen mine was always ready for Good advice no matter how embarrassing it may of been
My tip would be to get comfortable talking about health in general, and with the idea that having any health problem is no reflection on the person and their worth. Then bear in mind that intimate health is just one more type of wellbeing, no different to any other.
Also, simply being willing to talk about it normalises that for those around you. Even if they don’t want to say anything to you, the memory of you having spoken up may make the difference between someone feeling unable and feeling able to speak to a professional about a problem they have. This article does not overstate how important that is. Every person who is open about the subject of intimate health adds something to this cumulative effect and makes a difference.
Picture the Dr on the toilet whilst being examined.
Fantastic post 🙂
I would say relax and don’t over think it, and remember that chances are pretty good that the other person has experienced similar anyway! (Or seen it all before, if a medical professional)
Talk with close friends to get advice 1st x
They’ve heard/seen worse!
Talk to female family members and close friends, as they are more likely understand that subject and visit your doctor for any questions that you have and for any advice.
Remember that everyone is human. It is totally natural!