The Vagina
Overview
The vagina is the opening located directly below the urethral opening. Directly outside of the vaginal opening are the labia minor, the smooth inner lips of the vulva. Outside of the inner lips are the labia majora, the fleshier outer lips that are typically covered in hair after puberty.
The clitoris is a sensitive organ. Its function is to provide sexual pleasure. It is a hard round 'button' at the top of the vulva. The clitoral structure surrounds and extends into the vagina. It contains erectile tissue, very similar to the male penis. When a women gets sexually aroused, it engorges with blood. The clitoris is densely packed with nerve endings and, while similar in number to the penis, they are much more concentrated and closer together.
When a woman is sexually aroused, the vagina begins to produce lubrication to aid in penetration. Most vaginas are only four inches in length. At the top of the vagina is what feels like a semi-hard round ball. This is your cervix, the 'neck' of your uterus. In the middle of the cervix is a small round opening, called the external orifice that leads to the uterus. The external orifice is the small opening through which menstrual blood flows from the uterus into the vagina. This is the same small opening that expands during childbirth. This is also where cells for a pap smear will be taken to make sure they are healthy.
Keep in mind that the vagina is a 'potential' space. The walls of the vagina are normally in contact with each other. In other words, they are touching unless something is inserted between them; contrary to what most anatomy illustrations depict. The vagina isn't a hole or cavity inside the body. When something enters the vagina, the body must make room for it, no matter how small or large it may be.
Treatment
The vaginal walls are continually producing secretions necessary to provide lubrication, to cleanse the vagina and to maintain the proper acidity to prevent infection. The vagina tends to be fairly acidic, while sperm tends to be more of a base or alkaline. The vagina is a naturally self-cleansing body part, so douching isn't necessary to keep the vagina clean. Some women chose to use a vinegar and water douche after the end of their period, but this is not necessary. Women who like to douche, however, should do so with unscented products.
Wash your vagina when you shower or bathe with a gentle soap or cleansing bar. Don't overdo it or you can irritate the sensitive lining. Additional vaginal care products are not necessary unless you have a vaginal infection, such as a urinary tract infection.
Member Comments
by mwenda4real on November 23, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Hi,i real like ur service.But can you come in my country and give us knowledge.People from Tanzania,waiting for ur report.
by angelespinosa on November 25, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Hay. Im only 14 years old and I am still a virgin:] I was just wondering, is the way I wash my vagina, with soap and warm water, have anything to do with how itchy I get down there? Sometimes I even get flacky skin when I go down and check, and my vagina feels irritated and it hurts a bit. Then when I scrach I feel the need not to stop because it's so itchy:[ It would be sad to know that I have some type of infection still a virgin. What might this problem be? And how can I solve it> Im too afraid, and don't feel too comfty letting a doctor look at my vagina. Im not sexually active at all. It's too much for me to handle:[
by Sanssouci on November 29, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Your soap could be the issue. First of all, make sure you're not getting soap in the vagina. Your vagina cleans itself, and soap in the vagina can lead to infection. The area you can clean with soap is the external vaginal area, which is called the labia. That's the area that sort of looks like lips at the entrance to the vagina.
It's a pretty sensitive area, so you want to make sure you're using a sensitive soap. Things without dyes and fragrances are often good. You can also look for something that says "all natural" or "for sensitive skin." There's also a brand of soap called Summer's Eve, which is made specifically for that area.
But if a soap change doesn't help, you'll have to visit a doctor to find out what the problem is. I know it's embarrassing to have a doctor looking at your most private parts, but it's something all women have to do. It's part of growing up and taking care of yourself. And I promise it's not even as bad as you might think. I've been visiting an ob-gyn since I was 16 years old. Every doctor I have seen was very nice and easy to talk to. They know it's not a fun experience, so most of them really do do everything they can to make sure you're relaxed and to make sure it's all over with quickly.
by pixxie123l on July 7, 2009 at 12:17 PM
What kind of affection if you put soap in th'vagina?
by porchmonkey on November 29, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I have a question....at the base of my vagina near the perineum on the inside there are a couple little bumps. my vagina is really itchy and kinda burning. I have used a monostat supposatory last night and this morning I woke up feeling better..
anyways, my question is...could this be herpes?? or genital warts? do yeast infections sometimes cause little bumps around the irritation area?
by Sanssouci on November 29, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Itching, burning, and bumps can be signs of a few different things. You're not supposed to use over the counter yeast infection medicine unless you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection by a doctor. It usually says that in bold print on the box. That's because taking medicine for something you don't have can actually make what you do have even worse. So if your symptoms return, see a doctor, don't try to treat yourself.
by Emiimariie on December 1, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Hello Im 14 years old, I havent had sexual intercourse and therefore am not sexually active. However... I tend to be very worried, I shower atleast once a week or longer I'm not sure and when I have one I tend to use fem fresh wipes for the areas around the outside of my vaginal area. Once I used shower gel but that was like really quite long ago. I went on another website and it stated that some people can have low levels of lacodafilli or something similar to that and a high intake / increase of eating quite alot of yoghurt often can prevent that or by taking the provided tablets for it.
Furthermore my mum has recently bought me a thrush cream because she thinks I may have thrush and wants it to get better if she is not sure. My vaginal area has been extremely itchy lately and rather sore though and it sometimes can get hurting really bad.
I am 14 as you already know and only recently have I been looking at my vaginal area closely, Its annoying because its rather fatty and flappy and I mean I am supposedly / apparently ideal weight for my age. Its all floppy and the skin tends to pull out alot and move around. I know this isnt very nice to be saying but I am very concerned and definately do not want to go to the doctors. Is there anything you can tell me about this, is this how its normal and supposed to look because the cliturus is all fatted and wrinkled up and its really disgusting and I am only 14. I compare on the internet My vaginal area to others all the time and I see quite alot of difference and sometimes not. Is this normal?
Please may you try to answer all of my questions please?
Thank you
x
by Sanssouci on December 1, 2008 at 2:22 PM
It's great that you're inspecting your body and trying to learn more about it. Your description of your vagina sounds perfectly normal. Loose and wrinkled looking skin is normal and healthy. It has nothing to do with age. All those skin folds help to protect your vagina, and they help the area stretch to accommodate a baby during childbirth. But every vagina is a bit different, so don't worry if not every one you see on the internet looks like yours.
If you're 14 years old, you should start showering more than once a week. Once a week is fine when you're a kid, but you're older now. You're going to have more body odor and oils. A wet wipe is nice to freshen up with, but you need to actually wash the area too. Scroll down in the comments just a bit and you can read what I wrote to another girl recently about exactly where to wash and what sort of soap to use.
Since you're having itching, soreness, and pain, you need to visit a doctor. You shouldn't have to put up with those symptoms, and you should not be using over the counter treatments since you don't even know what is causing those symptoms. You need to have a doctor tell you what the problem is.
by pixxie123l on July 6, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Yeah, i have the same thing too :s
by freshman08 on December 4, 2008 at 4:01 PM
hi i'm 14 years old and still a virgin i was wondering
what is proper care like should i shave down there any precautions i should take
by Steph88 on December 15, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Hi.
I been having a odor down below for a few months but every time i go to my Ob Gyn he do a pap smear and run tests and the test come back fine but he can't not tell me wats causeing odor down thier i even change my Ob Gyn cause i thought he wasn't helping me but the other OB said the same thing. Then i recently read an Article in the Magazine saying the Doucheing can cause Bacteria Infections n i douche after my Period and after Sexual intercourse because i felt that since i couldn't reach inside than Douche will help but the odor would not go away. what can help with a Bacteria infection
by DaniaSacksMarch on December 21, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Contrary to popular belief, douching is not good for you. Some people believe that it may flush out bacteria or odors, however what it really does is get rid of the good bacteria that live in your vagina or push the bad bacteria further up into your uterus or fallopian tubes. Here's a link to some more information about douching that you might want to read: http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/douching.cfm. />
Most women naturally have vaginal odors. It can change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle, what your level of hygiene is (how often you clean yourself) and some people believe it can be slightly influenced by what you eat. If you've tested negative for all STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) including bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast, and your vagina still has an odor, it's likely that it's just your natural smell.
Here are a few things you can do to help: 1) Take a bath or shower at least once or twice a week and clean your vaginal area with soap and water, 2) Pee right after you have sex as that can rid your vagina of some of the bacteria, and 3) Clean your vaginal area with a baby wipe.
by carolina_girl on December 16, 2008 at 4:45 AM
Hi,
I'm 17(only had sex once) and I been having excessive discharge with a slight smell so I went to the doctor cause I thought that I may have had an std but it turns out that I didnt. What else could cause excessive discharge and smell?and little white stuff?
by DaniaSacksMarch on December 21, 2008 at 10:11 AM
If your discharge looks and feels like cottage cheese, and it doesn't have too much of a smell that could be a sign of a yeast infection. If the odor is a stronger with a fishy smell and your discharge is thin and has a greyish color, that could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. You might go back to the doctor and ask them to test you for those two infections.
Discharge can change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle and how well you're washing your vaginal area. It's great to keep track of what it looks like through out the month so you can understand what might be normal for you.
by Kat91 on December 22, 2008 at 10:23 AM
hello, i showered with a guy yesterday and he fingered me and there was a lot of soap that went inside of me, how bad is that for me? is there a way that i can get it out. also my whole area down there is swollen and it hurts a lot, i'm wondering if that has to do with the soap.
by Ms_Frustrated on December 25, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Hello:
Background- Around 4-5 years ago, I had Chlamydia but it was treated successfully. Also, I have hyper thyroidism...for the past 4-5 years, my discharge has been very thin/ more like a watery substance and during intercourse I do not produce my natural moisture. I even, at times, have to stop intercourse because I am so DRY and it makes sex very uncomfortable. Also, around my menstrual cycle, my "lips" become red, a bit inflamed and irritated (almost resembling a yeast infection that itches)
I have been to, literally, 4 doctors who have tested me for STI's, STD's- all negative, I have had my PH levels checked-levels are normal, and no BV, no yeast infection...What could be causing my LACK of moisture and breakouts?
Please help,
Ms. Frustrated
by naveymom2 on January 2, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Hi-I'm a middle-aged woman who has had a hysterectomy. I recently had my annual pap smear and it came back as lgsil/ hpv. I understand what all that is since I work in an OB-GYN office, but my concern is the treatment. We don't see very many abnormal vaginal smears. What do they do for treatment vaginally?
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Abnormal paps are very common and nothing to panic about. A lot of things can even throw a pap off and make them abnormal when nothing is actually wrong.
So if you had an abnormal pap the next step is to have a colposcopy. That's very much like a pap, it just takes longer, and they can see more. If everything looks fine, then you're done.
If it doesn't look fine, then they do a biopsy to check to see if your cells are cancerous or just abnormal. Most of the time they're just abnormal. And that basically means they probably will not turn into cancer, but they can turn into cancer so you have to make sure you keep getting regular paps to keep an eye on it.
HPV is not treatable. But many people actually fight it off after a few years and don't end up getting cancer. But cervical cancer is very treatable too, they can usually just cut a bit of your cervix off.
by bribri101 on January 3, 2009 at 2:34 PM
hey i was just wondering, what is the white stuff that is in a female's clitoris !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????
by WhitWadford on January 8, 2009 at 12:30 AM
I have a weird question! My girlfriends and I are open when we talk about anything sexual. Well the other day two of my friends said that the inside of their vaginas are somewhat smooth and the other two said theirs was somewhat bumpy like a sponge. We all get tested for STD's and such together so no one has anything, so what is the inside close to the opening supposed to feel like Bumpy or Smooth????
by SIND71 on January 17, 2009 at 6:29 AM
OMG are you all serious. Take care of yourself and your vagina will take care of you. We are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Be proud to be a woman, sweetie did it feel good when your man touched fingered you? Hence your vagina will not allow soap to stop that, just don't let him slide soap inside you or around your clitoris as it will cause irritation later (TRUST ME) Put the soap in YOUR hand and arouse him (JACK HIM OFF) and stay away frome the opening of his penis as it will cause him irritationafterwards....LOL, STD's!!!! Sweetie our bodies change and be proud to be a woman, my lips (Outer Labia) swells at times and turns red a bit, but it is usually after I have rubbed myself alot (masterbation). or even after a full day of tampon changes. YOU are HEALTHY and perfect. :)) Ladies good you are checking things out but, take care of yourseld and yourself (VAGINA) will take care of you!!!
by pixxie123l on July 8, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Yup. Agree'd.
by herat_420 on February 9, 2009 at 2:57 AM
Hi, I am a 25 years old guy, I am married, sometimes there is some bad smell come from my wife's vagina, what is it and why is it, is it nature or we can treat it.
Thanks.
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:19 AM
It's normal for the vagina to have a smell. If hers is very strong or foul, she should talk to an ob-gyn just to make sure it's not an infection. If it's not an infection, then it's probably just her natural smell. Her smell may change a bit throughout her cycle too.
by helpppme on February 13, 2009 at 9:11 PM
hi im a 16 year old girl, i lost my virginity to my boyfriend a couple months ago but my cherry didnt pop. Now he thinks that im lying to him about loosing my virginty to him. Can some girls not have a cherry, or can they "pop" it on something else?
Can someone send this answer to my email address as soon as they can, cause he is trippin on me.
innocent_one123456789@yahoo.com
thank you!
by qanda on March 5, 2009 at 12:20 AM
now days girls use tampons at such an early age that you may have indeed 'popped' it on something else. I believe that the only way to check for sure that a female is indeed a virgin is to have a doctor take a look at your cervix. But of course if you have already had sex, then your cervix will show that.
by jenero on April 20, 2009 at 12:36 AM
he's a jerk.
by Rhyre on June 18, 2009 at 10:02 AM
It is possible for your 'cherry' not to 'pop' whilst having sex with someone. If they are very gentle, or not exactly large in the groin area, the hymen (referred to as the cherry, which is a small piece of skin partially covering the entrance to the vagina) may not break. Perhaps show him this post and reassure him that it's quite natural. I'm not sure inserting a tampon can break the hymen, I think it's very unlikely. It's possible that you have broken the hymen yourself during masturbation, however; if you can remember feeling a sharp, intense pain when you masturbated some time, it's likely you broke your own hymen. Either way, it's nothing to worry about. If you still feel unsure, you can Google/Image a picture of the hymen and check your own vagina with a mirror to see if your own is still intact.
by wooster510 on February 17, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Such interesting comments, ok, sometimes you don't lose your cherry to your first because it's been popped by using a tampon previously. Even doing gymnastics can pop the cherry earlier with all those leg stretches. As for the ones wondering about smooth versus bumpy, everyone is slightly built different, but the vagina naturally has ridges inside, that's how guys get stimulated during sex.
by ladybugg_27 on February 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM
this is more of a question, i have been wearing the patch for over 5 years. Lately they have been leaving chemical burns on my skin. i have thought about changing over to the nuva ring, but i am a little concerned of insertion and how effective it will be.
by Dianazito33 on March 3, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Im 16 and me and my boyfreind are both virgins we have been trying to have sex for months (18) but it just doesnt work out?? whats wrong? Is my vagina too tight? it just slips off..
by jillyb1 on March 6, 2009 at 12:55 PM
i think you should try some KY that'll loosen it up
by summerishot on April 3, 2009 at 6:49 PM
you have a thick hymen
by summerishot on April 3, 2009 at 6:50 PM
YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP TRYING O.K IT WILL HURT BUT EVENTUALLY IT WILL BREAK
by qanda on March 5, 2009 at 12:20 AM
your wife could have what is called bacterial vaginosis. this alone is not so much of a problem other than the smell, but it can lead to other female issues. She needs to be open and honest with her female doctor and start taking meds to take care of the problem. Your wife really needs to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible even though, as I said, this isn't a problem right now it can become one before you know it. OH... it is not a STD.... so don't think she's done anything wrong. I suggest you google bacterial vaginosis and research it..... be sure to find a reliable website tho.
by sindhuja on March 6, 2009 at 5:51 AM
hi friends this is sindhuja,from pondicherry if you have any doubts just call to 09894054941,always wel come......
by seeekingginfo on March 22, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I'm 17, and engaged to be married in 2 years... my fiancee and I do have a sex life, and the last time we did it, he ripped something "up there", now it dangles... ick. I don't know what it is, and I can't seem to find anything on the web about it: it used to be a smallish fleshy "loop" (I used to get tampons stuck on it occasionally), but now it's just a... string-thing. Does this ring a bell to anyone? Does anyone know what it is?
by RandomRainbows on April 5, 2009 at 4:54 PM
its ur hymen...u have a septate hymen...google it.....it broke and now its still there xD o.o u need to get it cut off by a Gynaecologist or u could do it urself....but its better to go to a Gynaecologist ._.
by jenero on April 20, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Go to the doctor.
by Vajayjayman on March 23, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Guys, I'm 17 going on 18. I just wanna know . . . . WHAT THE FUCK IS A CHERRY?!?!?!
by jenero on April 20, 2009 at 12:33 AM
it's like a barrier. It gets broken the first time you have sex and then you're not a virgin anymore. Then there is a little bleeding. They call it a cherry because after it breaks, it bleeds.
by Rhyre on June 18, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Yeah, the 'barrier' is scientifically known as a 'hymen'. Losing your virginity is biologically signified by your hymen being broken. :]
by Vajayjayman on March 23, 2009 at 8:06 PM
t
by JamesDunn on March 26, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I think hairy vaginas are sweaty.
by Rhyre on June 18, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Hair beneath your armpits and around the groin is there just to absorb sweat, so, by common logic, hairy vaginas are less likely to be sweaty then hairless ones. Incidently, however, you have up to 30% more bacteria down below if you do leave your hair to grow.
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Women who remove all their pubic hair are actually more prone to vaginal infection. That's because the pubic hair acts sort of like your eyelashes. Your eyelashes trap dust, dirt, and germs before they can make it to your eye. The pubic hair does the same for the vagina.
by dick-in-the-ass on April 6, 2009 at 12:20 AM
AND ANOTHER THING FOR THE UTERUS TO MAKE IT FEEL GOOD IS GO IN AND OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAGINA ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PUT IT IN THE FEEL GOOD SPOT!
by rwand on April 8, 2009 at 3:11 PM
maybe hes to small for you!
by moocowbby on April 23, 2009 at 6:47 PM
ok, so im 19, and when i was 15 i started to have sex. ok so, well when i did have intercourse with my boyfriend at the time i never bled, but when he had his fingures down there(fingering) one time, i ended up bleeding..so what does that mean, is that how, everyone calls it, "poped my cherry", by him doing that and not actually intercourse;where is penis was in me? and now i have intercourse with my boyfriend now, but i never bleed..so??
by Rhyre on June 18, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I'm pretty sure you would know about your hymen breaking (your cherry being popped) because it tends to hurt most girls quite a bit. However, he could have broken it through masturbation and you may not have felt it very much. It's possible for the hymen to be steadily broken over a period of time, for example.
by hangwoman on April 30, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Recently i started having sex, around 3 months ago, and just recently, you know how theres a little, i dont know, like a ball? it looks like the clit, but its larger and right around the inside of the vagina? yeah, mines swollen and somewhat outside my vag. it hurts when i pee. almost like when you get something on a cut. maybe theres a cut inside my vag? im not sure. it hurts. could this be an STD? or pregnacy? or something else?
by Rhyre on June 18, 2009 at 10:08 AM
It could be an STI/STD; the only way you'll know for sure is if you visit a doctor of some sort. :]
by Awoman on May 6, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Some of you girls should see a doctor or maybe talk to your school nurse. She has a vagina and will be happy to answer any questions you have, even if you think something isn't right. She will answer and trading a few minutes of embarrassment will save a lot of worry.
by 671inez on June 5, 2009 at 1:53 AM
im 14,and i'm no longer a virgin ): the first time i did it,we didnt use a condom,and it turned out i wasnt prego! the second time,we used a condom,and now im showing signs of pregnancy! my breast are hurting,im always tired,and im always craving for food! could i be pregnant?? or maybe am i just gonna have my period??? plase help me!
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:24 AM
The symptoms of early pregnancy are the same as the symptoms for many other things, including an oncoming period. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
by Herpesnator on June 8, 2009 at 6:43 PM
My vagina hurts , it leaks weird things
by Herpesnator on June 8, 2009 at 6:44 PM
owie
by Herpesnator on June 8, 2009 at 6:47 PM
theres bumps all over it, apparently my flaps taste like vegemite
by kksb on June 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
My vagina has you know the (inner labia) is outer. It's big and kinda sticks out, I dont know if that's normal or not.
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Yes, it's normal.
by NaGfH on June 21, 2009 at 2:40 AM
Um, I heard something unusual today and wanted to know if this is accurate or not: that its not uncommon for a woman to NOT HAVE a clitoris. It sounded ridiculous but I wanted to be sure.
by kksb on June 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Okay, how do you know when your hymen "cherry" pops?
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Most girls don't know. There may be pain or blood, but pain and blood can also be a result of vaginal dryness during sexual activities. And sometimes there is no pain or blood when the hymen tears. Either way it does not matter. Your hymen does not do anything.
by kksb on June 24, 2009 at 10:52 AM
I just put in my first tampon and it's really sore and hurts, is that normal? but I'm on my period, so I don't know if I popped my hymen or not.
by Sanssouci on June 28, 2009 at 11:27 AM
It usually takes some practice to get the hang of tampons. So it's normal to have trouble getting them in or feel discomfort at first. But if the tampon is in and you're still feeling discomfort, it's probably not in all the way. You can try pushing it up further with your finger, just wash your hands before and after.
by iambeautiful112 on June 25, 2009 at 10:08 PM
thank you thank you this site was so helpful, the other day my boyfriend asked what that hardish lump inside the vagina(cervix) he asked what it was, and i was so embarressed! becuase i though there was somethig wrong with me! but its ok becuase im normal and now i can enjoy sex again
by freshka on July 1, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Hi, I've never had any problems "down there", I am not currently sexually active and have only been so with one person one time about a year ago (protected, and I found myself not really ready so it was over quickly). He was clean and in good health and so was I. I only start this way to eliminate any STD factor. Recently, about 3 weeks ago, I began to notice a whitish film on my vagina. It has no odor, or the odor is so faint that I cannot distinguish it from a normal, healthy smell. I have no itching, no burning, no problems of any kind. The film went away during my period and returned right after. I wash it away with warm water and little soap as to avoid irritation, but it comes back by the end of the day or by the morning. I shower anywhere between every day to every other day. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. :)
by Sanssouci on July 7, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I'd recommend seeing a doctor about it. That's the only way to know for sure what it is!
by baby1213 on July 2, 2009 at 11:35 PM
hi im 16 and im still a virgin. lately my vagina has been very itchy and sometimes when i itch it alot it (of course) starts to hurt. i take a shower every day and i wash it with soap and i was just wondering if i may have to change the soap im using. and if not, should i go to the doctors to check this out?
by Sanssouci on July 7, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Yes, you might need to change your soap. Something very mild and unscented would be ideal. Also make sure you're not getting soap in your vagina. You should just be washing the outside (vulva), not the inside (vagina). If the soap change doesn't help, talk to a doctor about it as it could be a yeast infection or bacterial infection that you'd need medication for.
by zoe001821 on July 4, 2009 at 1:02 AM
OK I NEED SERIOUS HELP HERE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO IHATE THE WAY MY VAGINA LOOKS IT LOOKS WERID AND MINE HAS BIG LIPS AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF THEMM ANYWAY LIKE EXERCISE OR ANYTHING PLZ PPLZ HELP
by Sanssouci on July 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Vaginal lips vary a lot from one woman to the next in both size and color. The size and color may change a bit during puberty. Since you're 14, you're probably going through those changes now and just aren't used to your new body yet. Exercise won't change your size or color. So you're just going to have to get used to your body and learn to love it!
by pixxie123l on July 6, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Hello, I was just going to ask if its normal if infront, I dont want to be clueless here but im not sure where my vagina is. Theres like this outy thing that hangs and when i walk it moves and It REALLY annoys me and I dont again want to be MORE clueless but can it affect the future like the pregnancy or anything like that?
Please respond It would help alot :) Thank you
by Sanssouci on July 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
The female body can be kind of confusing with all the hair and folds of skin. But we have three holes down there. The first one is where pee comes out. The second is the vagina. The third is where poop comes out.
As for the thing that hangs, it's tough to say what it is without looking at you. You could have a large clitoris or large labia. The size of the clitoris and labia can vary a lot from one woman to the next, so it's ok for them to be on the larger side.
But seeing a doctor wouldn't be a bad idea. Since the doctor could actually look at your body, he or she would be able to tell you for sure what it is and answer any questions that you may have.
by pixxie123l on July 7, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Okay, thank you very much for your reply, and I looked up internet, because i wasent certain of it. but it says its a labia and again thanks :)
by pixxie123l on July 7, 2009 at 5:07 PM
1 more thing, Is it going to affect anything if I have a labia?
by Sanssouci on July 7, 2009 at 7:47 PM
No, "labia" just means the vaginal lips. All women have them.
by pixxie123l on July 7, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Okay, thank you
by Wolfluv on July 9, 2009 at 8:01 AM
Okay so I watched this T.V. show with my mom called Talk Sex or Sex Talk with this oldish lady as the host and I thought it was kind of funny but this lady was very smart and one of her phone call questions about having sex in the bath tub. The lady answered by saying having sex in the tub was bad because water could get in the vaginal area but sex in the shower was fine. Then I remembered in the movie the 4o year old virgin that one girl had used that little shower hose and was basically using it in her vaginal area as a form of masturbation. I then got confused and I want to know, can getting water in the vaginal area hurt you? I am also 13 and I have another quick question. I thought I started my period in about September of 2008 but it was a very light show of blood in my underwear and then I never bled the rest of the day after coming home from school. Then a few months later in about November at a school dance I had appearently started because when I came home I had soaked my underwear with blood. This time I had my period for about 8-10 days then it stopped and I had my cycle for about two months straight and each time it was longer than the 7 day normality. Then my period stopped and I haven't had it since about December and it has worried me. Is this normal? Or did my body start too soon and stop?
by Sanssouci on July 10, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Sex in the tub or in a pool isn't a great idea. Bath water can be dirty or soapy. Both of those things can increase your chance of getting an infection. Pool water is often full of chemicals that can irritate the vagina. The shower is safer since the water is constantly flowing and isn't sitting there being dirty or soapy! But personally, I prefer sex outside of the shower so I don't waste water or run out of hot water and suddenly get blasted with mood-killing cold water!
The typical cycle is 28 days long. But irregular periods are very common, especially in the first three years that a girl has her period. During those first three years, a lot of girls have a period, then go a few months without getting one. You'll probably get more regular in time.
by Wolfluv on July 9, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Please e-mail me your answers at prittywolf96@yahoo.com and post them for kids that have the same questions.
by er12 on July 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I am a virgin and I am experiencing period-like symptoms such as bachache, sore and swelling breasts, cramping, fatigue, puffy face with no bleeding and a bit drier vagina than before.. I have had normal periods since last month with similar symptoms. but this month the symptoms seem to get worsen and I think my period is late to
by Sanssouci on July 11, 2009 at 5:51 PM
If it's right around period time for you, then those symptoms probably just mean it's on its way. Sometimes I feel symptoms like that a week in advance.
It's normal to have a late period every once in a while too, even if you're usually regular. I'm almost like clockwork, but I'll be as much as a week late once or twice a year. Things like stress and diet can throw your cycle out of whack too.
So it doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about, but you can always double check with a doctor if you want.
by er12 on July 11, 2009 at 6:48 PM
What can I do to?? what kind of things should I eat?
by Sanssouci on July 12, 2009 at 10:42 AM
You can take something like Midol (which is available over the counter) to help with the symptoms. Walking and heating pads can sometimes help too.
Having a healthy diet can help too, so make sure you\'re eating a variety of healthy foods. You can take a multivitamin around the time that your period is due. Make sure you\'re getting plenty of liquids.
by xkeepitgreene on July 11, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I am 17 & just lost my virginity to my boyfriend a few months ago. It bled, a lot, so i know he broke my hymen. Then we had sex a second time-- no bleeding. The third (and last) time there was blood everywhere, dripping nonstop. How many times after loosing your virginity should you bleed during sex?
Also, my boyfriend fingers me a few times a week. The past few times he's fingered me, I've bled. I know it's not my period. He said he felt "strings" up in my vagina, but that he broke them. Today, my boyfriend fingered me again for the first time in seven days (we waited because we thought the bleeding wouldn't happen if we gave my vagina time to heal) but it started to bleed again. He also said he felt more "strings". What is he feeling? And why does my vagina keep bleeding? I know it's not because i'm not wet enough, and he is the only person i've done anything sexual with, likewise for him, so no STDs, etc. Answers would be much appreciated! Merci :]
by Sanssouci on July 12, 2009 at 10:49 AM
There\'s no certain number of times you have to have sex in order to stop bleeding. Every woman is different. Some women never bleed during sex. Others might bleed the second time but not the first. Some might not bleed the first 100 times, but then might bleed when they go for 101!
The vaginal tissue is very delicate. It can tear if it is too dry, if our partner is too rough with us, if our partner has sharp fingernails, etc. And even a tiny cut down there can lead to a lot of blood. You can try a water-based lubricant and see if it helps because a lot of women think they\'re wet enough until they try a store bought lubricant. Then they realize they could have been wetter!
But I have no idea what strings he\'s feeling. I\'ve never experienced that in my own vagina, and my partners have never mentioned it either. So given that along with the fact that the strings break and cause you to bleed a lot, I\'d recommend seeing an ob-gyn about it.
by gimmieanswers on July 15, 2009 at 4:01 PM
hey me and my partner dont use condoms. i usually dont have trouble getting wet. but this time i did. and i really hurt. what do i do?
by Sanssouci on July 15, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Try more foreplay or buy a water-based lubricant at the store.
by unknown7 on July 18, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Ok when I pee it feel like someone is poking me with a pin down there and I would bleed for a tiny bit... but I should be starting my period soon so is the bleeding from spotting, and what do I do for the pain in my vagina? And I am sexually active if that helps in anyway.
by Sanssouci on July 19, 2009 at 11:50 AM
I'd recommend going to an ob-gyn and getting it checked out. Sounds like it could be a urinary tract infection.
by chameleon12 on July 24, 2009 at 5:39 AM
I'm a 23 year old and my vagina compared to others is a bit flatter or smaller how can i enlarge it. Ive compare it to my cousins that are around the same age and their lips r way fatter than mine. Also is there a surgery that can make both the lips and mons pubis fatter?..I think it is this way because of foreplay when i was younger..ive seen a two doctors so far in my lifetime and they never said anything but i think its because they haven't really "inspected it"? I've been seeing on tv there is surgery called vaginoplasty where they can make it fatter and i want to get it as soon as I can afford it.
Distressed and shy ..never had sex
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM
We all look a little bit different down there. You don't sound abnormal. Foreplay does not change the way you look.
You do not sound like you need surgery. That surgery is mostly a scam. They prey on women who are insecure about their body.
by dcda31 on July 26, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Hi, I've never had sex before...and lately I've noticed a white discharge. I've gone to my OB-GYN for check-ups and last time told her about it and she said it looked like a normal discharge and the results always come back normal. What should I do?
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:46 PM
You don't have to do anything; it sounds like you're normal. All women have discharge. It's what keeps the vagina healthy, clean, and lubricated. Some women wear two pairs of undies or change their undies twice a day though if they make a lot of discharge.
by PickledAly on July 27, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Hello, I'm fourteen and would like to know what's going on...
Okay so.. I've been having sex for maybe... 4ish or 5ish months. Not very often or anything like that. My partner is my boyfriend and we took each other's virginity, and always use a condom. Anyways, he fingers me kind of often, like not really but more than anything else. And a couple days ago, my vagina started to get sort of itchy and is rather reddish [maybe a rash?]. It's not on the outside it's like right on the inside. It doesn't hurt or burn or anything like that. Going pee is fine, too. But before it was itchy, I had a bladder infection [I'm pretty sure it was gone before the itchiness]. And so my boyfriend hadn't fingered me or anything like that for a while. But we went to the lake about a week or week and a half ago and he fingered me a little there [water irritation?]. And I just want to know why it's itchy... I mean, I wash myself daily. It didn't itch after the lake. The medication doesn't say itchiness/redness is a side effect. I'm not allergic to any soap or stuff like that. Will someone please tell me what's going on if they have ANY idea? :[
Thank you.
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:47 PM
You should check with an ob-gyn.
by DeptfordMedic99 on October 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Im a paramedic.And I Thinl I might know what your problem is.Please contact me at my email so we can talk about this in privite.My email is squad99@live.com.
by shawteeondalow on August 1, 2009 at 12:26 PM
hi, i'm 14 i want to know my mom say she had her period when she was 16 does that mean i'm going to have mines then or sooner?
thank you.
by calsoh2008 on August 2, 2009 at 12:38 AM
i don't think your mom's period has anything to do with yours. it all depends on your own body. my mom got hers when she was thirteen and i just got mine so it all depends.
by calsoh2008 on August 1, 2009 at 4:48 PM
hiiii. so I'm fifteen and I'm a virgin with no immediate plans to change that. but I am involved with a boy right now. I'm terrified to have sex.. all I hear from my friends is that it is extremely painful the first time and uncomfortable so I am sooo scared. I know I'm not ready but when I am will it still hurt? And I'm also really skinny. Does being super thin increase the chances of it hurting?
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Sex is not supposed to hurt. When it does hurt, it's usually because the woman is either too dry or too nervous.
by NinjaTacos on August 2, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Ok so Im 14 and I had sex for the first time...I think I might have gotten a Urinary Track Infection during intercourse. My mom said she would take me to the doctor because when I pee it hurts so much. I dont want my mom to find out I had sex. What should I do?
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:51 PM
You can get a UTI even if you don't have sex. The doctor won't know you had sex unless you tell him/her, are pregnant, or have an STD. But you should be honest with your doctor about it either way. Your doctor is not allowed to tell anyone your information anyway. So your mother shouldn't find out unless you tell her.
by DeptfordMedic99 on October 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
But she is a minor so the doctor has every right to tell her mother.
by ohsoshy12 on August 6, 2009 at 6:19 AM
I am 15 and a virgin of everything sexual (intercourse, foreplay, whatever). I've been having some problems with my vagina a lot lately. A LOT. The um, vulva? is an extremely dark brown, almost purple, color. It's really flabby :/ and it has white dots around the opening of my vagina, but on no other area. I also have a weird discharge: it's really thick and white, and has quite an unpleasant oder. The texture is similar to that of half-dried Elmer's glue.
Whenever I began to notice these things, I also started noticing the same things on my breasts: dark, purpley center of my nipples, white dots on my nipples, and even some white stuff pertruding from them. I know something must be wrong, but I'm TERRIFIED of a doctor, or anyone for that matter, looking down there.
I've become very self-conscience about it. Whenever any guy asks me to fool around with him, which I wouldn't under any other circumstances, I HAVE to say no, simply because of my insecurities.
But really, what would a guy spread around school if he knew my problems? I would be in a living hell.
Can anyone give me a basic outline of what may be wrong here? And please, don't tell me I need to go to a gyno, I know I should and I will. I'd just like to have a basic perspective of what to prepare myself for before-hand.
Thank you!
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:55 PM
You sound normal to me.
Woman vary in terms of color down there. It's normal to be peach, pink, brown, purplish, or almost black.
Some women have a lot of flesh folds down there, others do not.
Do the dots down there look sort of like goosebumps or pimples? If so, they're probably hair follicles. It's normal to have dots like that on your nipples too.
And it's normal to have discharge like Elmer's glue.
by sw33twendy on August 14, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Hi I have a question I've been sexually active for a while and I've had no problems but lately during penetration it hurts alot . It feels like there's something swollen inside and when he hits it it hurts. What is it and why does it get swollen? Oh and this doesn't happen everytime..
Thank you!
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Not sure, you should probably see an ob-gyn.
by ayoShorty09 on August 23, 2009 at 4:19 AM
Hey im 15 yrs. old and still a virgin. Me and my boyfriend are both virgins. And we are thinking about having sex. But i have a couple of questions. Every 2 or 3 days after i get out the shower i will look at my vagina just to make sure everyhthing is looking good. I am a very clean girl and i make sure im clean down there also. I spread my vaginal lips and look at the hymen area. i noticed that compared to all the pictures i seen of hymens in sex education class. mine looks fat (swollen). Now there is never pain there. no itchy or nothing. i just wanted to know if thats normal? and another question. i got my period when i was 9 yrs old. i did alot of gymnastics and i played volleyball. is it possible for my hymen to brake and then get my period? please write me back! thank you.
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:57 PM
We all look different down there. Yes, it is possible for your hymen to tear from that stuff.
by unknown7 on August 24, 2009 at 6:02 PM
this is akward for me to say all this but... my boyfriend and I were having sex and he used four fingers to finger me and it hurt! After that I went to the bathroom and I was bleeding! Now it hurts to sit, bend, and sometimes walk. Should I go to a doctor or what? this happend today and I have had sex before.
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:58 PM
It's possible that he tore you with his fingernail. That happens a lot because the vaginal tissues are so delicate. It should heal on its own, but scrapes do leave you vulnerable to infection, so see an ob-gyn if you notice any problems.
by dollylama44 on August 24, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I have tiny red bumps on the inside of my vaginal lips. They do not itch and are not tender at all. I am sexually active. I don't know how long I've had them for or if I've always had them or if they are normal or anything. I just noticed them and wanted to know if they were normal or not? Or if there are any guesses as it what it might be? It doesn't bother me when I pee or anything either. Just throw out some ideas please. Thanks!
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 9:58 PM
It might just be hair follicles, but you can check with your ob-gyn to be sure.
by GemGem1986 on August 26, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Hi, My boyfriend has commented on how thick and gloopy my cum/ juices are when he goes down on me. I have noticed that If I have not cum in a while then my cum is very thick and gloopy. Is this normal? Also is there anything I can do diet wise etc to change this? I have not always been like this. Please help!!! Thanks
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Your discharge will change color and texture throughout the month depending on where you are in your cycle. Sometimes it will be watery, other times it will be tackier.
by beccii123 on August 26, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Okay as you can imagine im sorta embarrassed about all this. but im 14 & i lost my virginity a few days ago & i was just checking myself out to see if everything was okay & i found a lump about the size of a small marble , its quite hard & is a little bit painful if i touch it. its like at the top of my vaginal opening . Im a bit concerned, but i dont want to tell my mum cuz i dont want her to know im not a virgin anymore, also i dont really want to seen a doctor about it because it's rather emabarrasing. So if anyone cud help it will be much appreciated.
Please email me at funky.platinum@hotmail.co.uk is you can help
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 10:01 PM
It might just be a pimple. But since you're sexually active, you should be seeing an ob-gyn now anyway!
by shelby2237 on August 31, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Hi. im 17 years old and i have an embarassing problem. I really need help. Ever since i could remember my vagina has had a very nasty smell to it. I think i might have an infection but i dont know. when i look down there i see clear discharge but then i also see this white clumpy stuff near the outside of my vagina. And sometimes the smell is so bad that it makes the area around my pants smell and moist. My underwear is also kinda wet and has this nasty brown/yellow color that stains my underwear. what do i do to get rid of it??!! its really starting to effect my life greatly and i need help. but im too afraid to ask my parents for help... what should i do??
by Sanssouci on September 4, 2009 at 10:02 PM
A healthy vagina does have some smell and discharge. It's normal for your underwear to get wet and even a bit stained from it. So what you described might be normal. But you'd have to see an ob-gyn to make sure.
by ILoveJonas on September 10, 2009 at 6:59 PM
I was wondering if masterbating is bad for you.
by Sanssouci on September 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM
No, masturbation is actually very healthy. It teaches you about your body and what you like. It can also relieve stress, help you sleep, and ease cramps. For guys, it can even reduce the chances of getting prostate cancer.
by Angel_of_Angels on September 14, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Hello I'm a virgin and I've recently been looking at my vagina to see if its healthy I guess? but what color is your vagina suppose to look? I dont really know how to explain mine. Its like a dark color on the ends with a flappyness and stuff which makes it hard to look alittle inside and I do discharge everyday kind of. Is that normal? is it suppose to stop? idk I'm just a little scared. I've been to the doctors once and all they told me was to drink cranberry juice I just want to make sure i'm ok?
by Sanssouci on September 15, 2009 at 12:28 PM
There isn't any particular color that your vagina is "supposed" to be; we're all different. Some women are pink or peach colored. Others are tan, brown, or even purplish/black. It's just a matter of skin tone.
A lot of people think the vagina is a gaping hole, but it is not. It collapses on itself when nothing is in it, sort of like a sock. That's why ob-gyns can't just look at you when you're getting an exam, they have to use a tool to hold the vagina open.
All women have discharge. It helps to flush the vagina out so it stays healthy and clean. It also acts as a lubricant for sexual activity. So you'll probably notice you make more discharge when you are in the mood.
Cranberry juice is recommended to get rid of or reduce the chance of getting a urinary tract infection.
So everything you said sounds normal.
by xilith on September 15, 2009 at 8:52 PM
¬¬ i just wrote the biggest thing..iave ever wrote in my life...and i didunt have an account so it didunt work and now i have to wright it alover agen !...erm anyway...and been really conserned about myself for about 5 months now cuz..iave been having really weird discharge...smelly ..minging crap...for like 9 months now!....i asked my mum ages ago and she said it was normal ...so that sunk into my head and kow i dont know what to think ...but its really [takeing the mick]..now.....iam freaked out because i want to get better etc but iam to scared to go to the docters because iam jsut so self contious i hate my body..the way itlooks {down there} and have been laughed at and crap and have been called a ''hamaphradite''??????iam just ..i cant bring myself to g in to see the doctors ...so meny people have made me feel abnormal <:'{ and now i cant even look after my self because of it ...is there any way i can sort it out by myself?...and also...when iam on my period my..mmm were my overys should be there are two lumps...almost liek there swolen????and since 6 months thayve beenlike that anyway even when iamnot on my period ...and sometimes thay hurt so bad ...like stinging ....horific pains ..like were iam almost dubbled up in pain....and when iam on my pperiod it can be worse......i read about the thing were you can be infertile...and i was scared bcuseit said something about ...overys beeing swolen..my heads just so messed up right now :( iam a vergin to......................help meee....iam sufferingg ._. i feel like iam looseing some kind of ballte with myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!sorry for the bad spelling...etc
by Sanssouci on September 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM
All women are different down there. We vary in terms of color, smell, amount of discharge, and more. Some women have a large labia, some have a large clitoris. And there's nothing wrong with that.
The people who made fun of you were probably just not educated when it comes to the human body and the normal differences found within it. A lot of people, especially young people, get it into their head that they're abnormal. Others get it into their head that anyone who doesn't look exactly like they do or exactly like what they've seen in porn is abnormal. And neither one of those are really healthy ways to think.
You're getting older, and that means you're going to have to start stepping up and taking care of yourself. Visit a doctor if you're afraid something might be wrong. They've seen everything, so it's not like anything about your body is going to weird them out.
by xilith on September 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM
ino iam just freaking out ...thanks :]
by pqrs123 on September 23, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Hi, this is embarrassing to talk about, but I just need to know everything is okay;
I'm 16 years old and I am a virgin. I regularly masturbate. I usually just stimulate this clitoris, and occasionally finger myself.
I don't know if it's the masturbation, or just my body growing and changing, but I've noticed I have began to develop a large clitoris hood. And my outer flaps do not cover my vagina all the way.
Is the normal? Is this caused from masturbation, or is it just my body growing and changing naturally?
Thank you:)!
by pqrs123 on September 23, 2009 at 6:25 PM
the* clitoris
by Sanssouci on September 26, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Yes, that is normal. Masturbation isn't going to change the way your body looks.
by kate-- on September 28, 2009 at 2:51 PM
hi. I'm 16 and i have only ever had sex with my ex boyfriend. We had been together for over a year and decided we were just too young and should enjoy being young. We started having sex 3 months into our relationship. I was on the pill but now i am off it. My vagina opening doesn't look right AT ALL. It kinda looks like a cauliflower and is kinda scary looking. It doesn't hurt at all or smell and i don't that much discharge. I'm scared that this is something that could really affect me. I have done some research but i cannot find anything that looks like what i have. I'm starting to think it could be a reaction from tampons being left in to long. Does anyone have an idea on what it could be?
by Sanssouci on September 28, 2009 at 3:16 PM
We can't say for sure what's going on with your body. But that doesn't really sound like a tampon issue. Cauliflower-like growths down there aren't too uncommon, and they usually mean HPV. HPV is a very common and very contagious virus. There are over 100 different types of HPV. Some are sexually transmitted, others are not. Different kinds of HPV can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and more. So you should schedule an ob-gyn appointment and get that looked at as soon as possible.
by kate-- on September 28, 2009 at 3:35 PM
How else can you get HPV? Because my boyfriend lost it to me and i lost it to him and neither of us had sexual contact with anyone else during our relationship. I will make an appointment, I'm just scared to hear if it's something extremely bad and could seriously affect me. I read that HPV usually clears up on it's own. Is that not necessarily true?
Thank you for answering so quickly (:
by Sanssouci on October 1, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Yes, HPV usually clears up on its own. But it usually takes a few years to do so.
You can get HPV in a variety of ways. One kind, for example, lives on the bottom of a person's foot. So you can get it by walking barefoot around pools or gyms. Some other kinds are spread through sexual contact. But "sexual contact" doesn't necessarily mean intercourse. It can be spread through oral sex, touching, rubbing, etc.
by kate-- on September 28, 2009 at 3:46 PM
hi again (:i looked up some pictures on google and the closet one is this http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4695924/98436_Full.jpg I know this is on the cervix but my vagina opening kid of looks like this but without the red scabs. It's just pink.
by annnn on September 29, 2009 at 9:45 PM
okay, i was a virgin and my boyfriend is clean, so i dont THINK this could be an STD, but after I lost it to him a couple weeks ago, the area around my hole and i think my clit became irritated. it itches and it burned when i peed. i like...used peroxide on it, and now it doesnt hurt when i pee, but it still itches. also, im not sure, but it seems possibly swollen? could it be an std even though he's clean and i was a virgin? or what?
by Sanssouci on October 1, 2009 at 10:36 PM
It could be a urinary tract infection. It could just be irritation from all the rubbing and whatnot. It could be a yeast or bacterial infection. Or it could be an STD. After all, how do you KNOW that he is clean? Are you taking his word for it? Was he tested? If so, was he tested for EVERYTHING?
Either way, I would recommend making an ob-gyn just to find out for sure.
by StageTrickster on October 17, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Hello,
Let me first say that I'm 22 and still a virgin and have never even fooled around before. I do have plans soon with my boyfriend and just wanted to make sure everything was alright with my lower half. I have been to my doctor before so I know I don't have anything serious. My question involves the taste of discharge. I know it's slightly acidic normally so it has a bit of a sour flavor but I want to just be sure. I have used soaps and oils down there and just found out today that it's not a good idea to do so. How should one clean her vagina? Are the things to use that would make a girl "taste" better? Also, does soda affect the taste? I am a huge Mountain Dew drinker and I KNOW it's horrible but I'm addicted. If it's affecting me though, I need to stop. Thanks for your time.
by Sanssouci on October 17, 2009 at 5:58 PM
You can wash the vulva (the outside parts, often called the "lips") with a mild soap. But the vagina is self cleaning, just like your eyes or your internal organs, so you don't have to do anything to clean it.
Your pubic hair traps some of the bad stuff before it makes it to your vagina in the same way that your eyelashes trap some bad stuff before it gets to your eyes. Your discharge helps to flush anything else out of the vagina. If you try to put soap or douche in your vagina, it throws your body's natural balance off. And that means increased rick of infection and bad smells. Soap can also cause dryness, itching, burning, and irritation.
A healthy vagina does have some smell and taste. Some people like the smell and taste, others are not crazy about it. The smell and taste can vary a bit from woman to woman. You might even notice changes depending on what you eat or where you are in your monthly cycle.
It is important to learn what is a normal smell for you. If you notice a change in smell (usually if it gets a lot stronger or yuckier smelling for no apparent reason), then you should schedule an ob-gyn appointment to see if you have an infection.
Other than that, don't worry about it. You don't have to try to cover up your smell and taste. In fact, it's not healthy to do so since most of the things that cover up the smell and taste will also increase your chance of infection thereby making it worse! So just stay clean and let your partner slowly get used to your smell and taste. Assure him that it is normal if he is inexperienced too. You can even bring him along to a doctor's appointment if he's still unsure.
But I would recommend trying to kick the soda habit! A healthy low sugar diet will be a lot better for every part of your body!
by booyeahz on October 17, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I'm a 20 year old virgin who occasionally masturbates. Sometimes my vagina itches, and I'm just wondering if that's normal. It doesn't hurt when I pee, and I do my best to clean myself in the shower without being too rough. Is itching normal?
by Sanssouci on October 18, 2009 at 11:15 AM
The occasional itch is normal. But if you have itching, it would be a good idea to visit an ob-gyn just to make sure you don't have an infection.
There are a variety of infections that women can get down there. Some are sexually transmitted, others are not. And painful urination is not a symptom for all of them. So you could have an infection even if you're a virgin and it doesn't hurt when you pee.
To reduce your chance of getting an infection, wear loose clothing and cotton underwear. Do not douche. Do not use scented toilet paper or pads. Change your pads and tampons often. And don't sit around in wet clothes or bathing suits.
by Rika_B on October 25, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Hey Im a virgin. I was wondering if it is weird for my vagina to be itchy but it only goes on for 3 days (I think its just cause I didn't shower for a week but I still want to make sure), I do shave but I have been doing it for awhile and I sometimes get itchy when my hair grows back too.
by Sanssouci on October 26, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Shaving and skipping showers certainly can make you itchy. It's best to wash your vulva every day with water and a mild soap. A lot of women shave, but it's actually not recommended. In addition to causing itching and irritation, it can increase your chance of getting an infection down there. So your best bet would be to wash properly and stop shaving. If you still have itching even after that, you should go to the ob-gyn just to make sure you don't have an infection.
by Lmmt on October 27, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Hello. I am 19 and I am not sexually active. About a week ago I had itching in the vaginal area then I got a burning sensation then I got a weird strong smell, kind of like beer. I thought common yeast infection symptoms, I had been on antibiotics all week so I thought nothing of it. What worries me is I have a pain inside my vagina that is so annoying and bad I can barely sleep or stand. My discharge is not clumpy or white though. I have been using over the counter medicine, but nothing is helping. Please tell me this is a yeast infection, I am freaking out thinking I have something else.
by Sanssouci on October 27, 2009 at 6:08 PM
You should not be using over the counter yeast infection medication unless you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection by a doctor. It should even say that in bold print right on the box.
That's because there are different types vaginal infections, and most have them have pretty similar symptoms. And if you take a medication to treat one kind of infection when you actually have a different kind of infection, it can make things even worse.
There is no way for us to diagnose you over the internet. The only way to know for sure what you have and what medication you need is to see a doctor. So you need to schedule an ob-gyn appointment as soon as possible.
by jasmine221 on November 10, 2009 at 5:30 AM
Hello. I have a problem. You see, my boyfriend has fingered me a few times but now, I feel like something's wrong with me. Here's what I have: itching, pain during urination, sometimes i urinate with blood and when I have an urge to urinate, nothing occurs or it may be just a drop. Now, I've been reading many articles about this and I'm not sure of what I have. I discussed this issue with my mother and she told me to drink water and cranberry juice. I'm going to start that today but, I would really love some advice about this. I really need a good approach about this. Could I have an infection? I mean, this started friday, stopped and came back today. It's not consistent so I'm not exactly sure. =/ Thanks.
by cheergirl1234 on November 16, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Hi, I kinda have a problem too, it have a cut in my vagina...and im 11 and i dont wanna get stitches because its kinda deep but not too deep. Im not telling my mom, but do you know what i should do to help the cut? at first it was REALLY ichy so then i decided i shouldn't scratch it anymore, so i did and after 2 weeks i noticed the cut. Oh yeah I dont have sex. lol
by snjw on November 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM
hello, im 16 and recently jst got over my period. I noticed around my vagina that there are little bumps that itch. im still a virgin so im not sexually active. its probably nothing but im worried. can you please tell me why there are little bumps that itch or what it could be?
by nadine01 on November 19, 2009 at 7:51 PM
i have a question i'm 30 yrss old and i had sex with a very large guy for the first time, now i feel like i can't walk right and i itch at times but when i wipe it{vagina} with a cool rag i cool down. i had a hysterectomy so i know that it's not cervical cancer i don't show any symptoms and the inside looks like small bumps but not pus like there's no burning during urination,but it just hurts when i sit down walk. could he had damage me and is there anything wrong with my vagina also there is no irregular discharge just an itchy soreness when will this go away