What You Need to Know About Your Lady Parts
Answers to your most pressing vajayjay questions.
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Love Your Privates - When it comes to our lady parts, there’s a lot we don’t know. What’s normal? Is it supposed to smell like that? Is it really not OK to douche? Well, relax, we have the answers to your most pressing vajayjay questions.—Kellee Terrell (@kelleent) (Photo: GettyImages)
Photo By i love images/Getty Images
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Yes, Your Vagina Looks Fine - Everyone’s vagina looks different, so there is no one way for it to look. Our advice: Take a peek, so you can know what it looks like but also so you can notice any changes or bumps down the road.(Photo: Radius Images/GettyImages)
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What’s It Really Supposed to Smell Like? - Yes, it’s important to stay clean and fresh down there, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to smell like roses, either, so let that go. Clean with a gentle mild soap and do not use powder—it can seriously mess up the pH balance and create problems. Plus, hair can trap odor, so do some landscaping down there to reduce funk.(Photo: drbimages/GettyImages)
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No, You Don’t Need to Douche - Your vagina cleans itself—hence the secretions that flush out bacteria, excess water and vaginal wall cells (all that good stuff). Douching can actually harm your vaginal health by pushing bacteria farther up into your uterus and fallopian tubes. All you need is to wash the outer parts of your vagina with a gentle soap.(Photo: PABimages/GettyImages)
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Discharge Is Normal - Speaking of secretions, discharge is perfectly normal. Your vagina can release secretions every day—up to teaspoons when you’re ovulating—that range from being clear and thin to thick and white during ovulation. Now, if your discharge is really foul, burns, itches or looks like cottage cheese, go a doctor—you may have an STD.(Photo: GettyImages)
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Never Wipe Back to Front - We’ve known this since we were kids, but some of us still don’t follow this rule. Not wiping front to back when you have a bowel movement can spread bacteria, increase odor and raise your chance of getting a yeast infection.(Photo: qualitygurus/GettyImages)
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About Yeast Infections - Also known as candidiasis, a yeast infection is a common infection caused by a type of fungus that can overgrow in the vagina and vulva (as well as elsewhere on the body). Yeast infections happen to 75 percent of women and are easily treatable. If you are having frequent infections that may speak to something else—talk to your doc.(Photo: GettyImages)
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Your G-Spot is Not A Figment of Your Imagination - With the right toys, masturbation can help you find that coveted G-spot that folks keep talking about. Your G-spot is an erogenous zone located inside the upper wall of the vagina. This soft tissue is highly sensitive and can give an overwhelming orgasm unlike anything you have experienced. Go find it!(Photo: GettyImages)
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What’s Bacterial Vaginosis? - Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal infection among women, happens when there is an overflow of a “bad” bacteria. It’s unknown why this happens, but what we do know is that BV can cause an extremely foul smell and itching in some women. Good news: It’s easily treated.(Photo: shank_ali/GettyImages)
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Should I Wax Off My Hair Down There? - It’s up to you. Reducing the amount of hair can help keep odor at bay, but it's not necessary to get a Brazilian wax. Actually, pubic hair can help reduce friction when having sex, so a little bit can go a long way. If you are waxing, beware of burns and allergic reactions. (Photo: jo unruh/GettyImages)
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