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
Remember that everyone has got body parts and it’s completely natural 🙂
put a bit of humour in it
Just be honest…. its something 50% of us go through
talk with someone you trust. also googling can be a bad idea!
Always love John Lewis,fantastic products
Read up on things so you understand the problem before hand – will make you feel much less embarrassed
Being with trusted friends in a quiet and cosy environment helps to talk about intimate topics.
Remember whatever it is the medics have heard it so many times before.
Heather Haigh recently posted…Massive Christmas Giveaway with TSNC
It’s a natural thing, be comfortable in yourself
There are so many women that like to cover up that they in fact have given birth. It’s a natural thing and not something that are supposed to be fashionable and neat. People like to bring out the perfect cover up stories and tell everyone that they didn’t retrieve any scars, and that the birth did was so nice and perfect.
I have never given birth, but I can imagine it’s hard work and can change your body. I think everyone should embrace their flaws cause we all have them. I think it’s weird that woman that have given birth don’t understand that you wont look like a supermodel after your first birth, and that is how it should be!
When it comes to feminine health I am not embarrassed because its something every woman are dealing with. In fact it should be more open and a more regular thing.
Cecilia Keinapel recently posted…Best Beauty Buys on SALE
Be confident. We are all human, many of us have the same issues and I believe that sharing problems and discussing them with friends and family can help alleviate concerns.
I used to be embarrassed when I was younger, but as I got older and after 2 children realised that there is nothing to embarrassed about we all have our bits and there is nothing to ashamed of, doctors and nurses have seen it all before and to them mines is no different from the next lady.
Your doctor has seen and heard everything before so no need to be embarrassed
to just remember we are all made the same way!
Remembering that we’re all human… also having a good sense of humour about these matters!
If you’re talking to a professional such as a doctor or nurse then just remember they have seen/heard it all before (and a lot worse than what you have). If talking to friends then you know how much of a friend they are by how blunt you are, using the correct words in a matter of fact way is the best.
the more open, honest and relaxed you are then others will be the same! not sure why some poeple find it so taboo to talk about!
Just grin and bear it! Were all human and probably have the same issues
Everyone has a penis or Vagina, so why worry!
don’t be shy they have heard it all before