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
Talk to someone you trust. x
I discuss everything with my bestie – no discussion is to awkward 🙂 Although the more intimate problems we’re going through with our husbands are normally done over the phone rather than face to face, and after lots of giggling we get down to the matter at hand! There’s nothing like a best friend to tell all your woes to 🙂
As with most things it gets better with age
Remember they have heard it all before so just be honest
Just be honest and use the correct medical terms
When it comes to your health and body nothing is to embarrassing to talk about be open
We’re all the same so don’t worry
Remembering we are all human!
Remember that as a woman you are 50% of the population and every woman has the same intimate health issues regardless of race, religion, social status, etc. Try and see a female GP if you can and also just be aware that if you’re talking to a friend they may not feel ready to be as open to the discussion as you are!
There is no need to feel embarrassed, discuss with friends or a DR, I bet they’ve heard it all before! Your health is more important!
Stick to the facts and take someone with you for support
Pretend your a third party
Not really sure there is a top tip for a feeling but just remembering it was natural I think is a good way 🙂
Be confident, it’s something that all women have to deal with and a lot of people wish they had someone to speak to about things like this
We are all human and majority of us deal with health issues in our private parts at some point in our lives, so don’t be afraid to talk about it!
discus it with a close friend/family member first
You just need to talk and be open – we all have to talk about things sometime
Just remembering that everyone else has problems that they are embarrassed about, you are never alone
My simple answer is everyone has one so why be embarrased! You may end up helping someone else who is even more shy than you are when you talk about it. Im one of 3 sisters and i have 6 children myself so its never going to be a taboo subject here – more a regular topic!! lol
Talk about it as if you were telling a friend.
Erica Price recently posted…Skin Care From Linco Care