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
Don’t know why anyone would be embarrassed. All women have vaginas and at some time or another menstruate, get thrush, give birth etc etc
be confident about any problems u have many people will be going through the same thing
Trying to remember that it’s just natural!
great blog fantastic prize,you have to be honest about your health for your own sanity,even if it feels embaressing
I try to find humour in it. Discussing smear tests etc doesn’t bother me as it could save your life but doesn’t mean they’re very dignified so I discuss them with a bit of humour 🙂
Confidence. If you make something feel taboo to talk about then it will be more awkward to discuss. We’re all women together and go through the same things in life so we should feel at ease talking about these things.
don’t make a big deal about it and people will be more relaxed talking about it
Yes please ♡ John lewis and sale shopping
Just say it ,don’t over think it .
Talk to another female, I always think that can make you feel a wee bit more comfortable, OR talking to your best buddy!
Just thinking about about it as any part of general health not calling it intimate or female issues would be a great help too to demystify the whole issue.
I think the younger you start talking openly and honestly about intimate parts with your children the better…it also teaches them acceptable restrictions which in todays society is important
My tip would be to talk to someone you feel comfortable with and remember every woman has the same bits and most have probably had the same issues as you.
Fab prize would love to go in and treat myself xx
I’ll spend the money on keeping my baby warm.
Remember that many others have the same issues and problems as you do and don’t worry about what others think as everyone needs help and answers to these issues at some time. 🙂
we are all human and you will normally find people have the same worries or issues there really is nothing to be embarrassed about, I dont find it hard to talk at all i just think everyone has questions about lady bits, and feminine hygiene, and it helps to be open
We all have the same bits so why be embarrassed x
I think the more we talk about things like this, the less their is to be embarrassed about as we realise that we mostly all go through ’embarrassing’ or intimate health issues at some stage in our lives. So talk, talk, talk! With your besties, siblings, other half… whoever you feel comfortable with! Once we realise we are not alone, it’s not quite so scary!
Remember the person you are speaking to is a human too