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 over think it
dont overthink it, its a natural thing
Make alternative names for your parts e.g. the Mary etc- usually gets everyone laughing in turn relaxes them.
I grew up always being able to talk to my mum about anything and never felt embarressed or worried so have tried to build that same relationship with my daughters, speaking honestly and openly about everything and always telling them to ask me questions it doesnt matter what it is…. recently my daughter asked me what a camel toe was that did make me chuckle!!!
I struggle a lot with being open about intimate issues, but I’m really determined not to pass on my hang ups to my two daughters. They don’t see any reason to be embarrassed, so I try to take my lead from them and mirror their open attitude when we’re talking.
Why be embarrassed?, everyone has the same parts!
I think the main thing is to be matter of fact about it. In my experience it is easier if you use proper terminology rather than euphemisms, as they tend to either be childish, sexual, or just down-right silly (“front-bottom”)! Of course, to be able to use correct terminology you need to understand female anatomy. It’s surprising how many women say vagina when they mean vulva. Mothers should ensure that their daughters (and sons!) know what’s what at an early age before they are old enough to get embarrassed.
I talk about things like this openly with my daughter so she can always feel comfortable to come to me
Just be honest there will be someone who has experienced it x
You just have to think that the world is made up of approximately 50% of women and you are not alone in this. Each problem will have been discussed and dealt with before- you won’t be the first and definitely won’t be the last!
Have a kid, all dignity goes out of the window then 😉
I think just remembering it’s all natural and should be no different to talking about your arm 🙂
Have great friends!
Best way is to talk about it as if it is every day, nothing new style and just make it light and even jokey!
Realising that we all have the same bits (and quite probably the same problems from time to time)
Ive never felt awkward about discussing feminine intimate health.If you are brought up to talk about things its not a problem.
I just tend to switch myself to work mode as though I’m talking about any other topic
Talk to people you can trust, if you are open with them i find people start opening up themselves. I have a similar story as you! After a couple of children i feel very different about talking openly. My tips would also include to talk to your children more openly from the start about how to take care of their bodies.
Approaching the subject with subtle hints initially to see how the person reacts and then talking about it in a humourous way to prevent embarrassment!
Just remember everyone has the same bits and pieces and there ain’t nowt special about your.
remembering that i am talking to professionals who only want to help me and have seen it all before