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
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I always try to remember that our kids learn from us, so if we are unable to talk about embarrassing topics, they may be too. If I am uncomfortable with something, I always think ‘would I want my daughter to be able to talk about this in 15 years time?’ – The answer is always yes.
To talk to a female. It’s a lot easier. I know it’s hard but you just have to remember they see it all and are so busy that they have probably forgotten about your problem as soon as they move onto the next patient xx
I think it’s just important to realise it’s an issue that effects everyone and that it’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
Make intimate health a normal thing to talk about and don’t be embarrassed
talk about it scientifically, then it de-personalises it for me
discuss it with a close friend or somebody you know really well
I used to be embarrassed when I was younger but since having my children that has changed completely! (I don’t think you can be embarrassed about anything after labour!) I think if you have friends who are a bit shy and embarrassed then you should start the conversation – that way it makes them feel easier talking about things 🙂
Remember that every aspect of your health is important. There is nothing to be embarrassed about and all health care professionals are experienced about such matters.
just think that u are probably not the only one suffering from the embarrassing problem
Just remember male or female everyone has embarrassing bits. The only way to make the stigma of not talking about them is to openly talk about it
Imagine everyone is naked
Being the only woman in a household of boys makes it hard not to be embarrssed so i try to make sure i confind in my mum and close girlfriends
Be open
If its a professional that you need to talk to, just think you will probably never see them again or even if you do its highly unlikely your conversation will make you any more memorable to them than anyone else. Like passing a stranger in the street.
I am currently adopting this approach as in 4 weeks, after having baby number 3 at the age of 28 – I am going to have my first ever smear….I have put it off for so long because of this reason but its such a minefield and something that should be taken so much more serious than I have taken it – I am going to do it no matter how I feel!
When I was younger my mom would never talk about it it was a no go area even now if she says something it’s just embarrassing, I’m very open with my son and daughter and always try to answer there questions no matter how embarrassed I get, I don’t want them thinking it’s a taboo conversation and feel like that if something is worrying them they can’t talk about it like I felt with my mom,
If talking to a health professional remember they have already heard everything,you can’t embarrass them so be open and honest!
I don’t get embarrassed me and my girl friends always talk about feminine health and share tips if needed.
Get into a habit of talking about it and start with talking with your best friend or someone close. The more we talk about these things the easier it becomes.
ive had alot of problems with the most intimate parts of my body from having children, endometriosis. c section, hernia of the c section and then having a total hysterectomy. and now im having problems with my bowl and colon so any feelings of been embarrassed has gone out the window a bit but i dont think the embarrassment ever goes no matter what, i know it helps if the dr treats you like a person and is a person themselves
A woman’s body is one of the most natural things in the world… embrace your body, it is the most beautiful gift. It is not you that is ugly it is society.