Most of us don’t get nearly enough education about our genitalia past puberty. You might learn a little bit about the reproductive system when you’re 10 or 11 years old, but learning what a healthy vagina looks like—or more accurately what a healthy vulva looks like, but more on that in a minute—typically isn’t part of the curriculum.

Odds are you’ve spent many moments checking to see if everything’s looking alright down there not really knowing exactly what you’re looking for. Aside from an annual check up with your gynecologist, you’re generally on your own. That’s why we consulted with a couple of ob-gyns who know the literal ins and outs of your nether regions.

But first…what’s the difference between a vagina and a vulva?

Chances are you’ve had many people refer to your genitalia as your vagina. But everything from the outer and inner labia, to your clitoris, as well as your vaginal opening is actually the vulva, or the external genitalia. The vulva also includes the urethral opening, fourchette (where the labia meet), perineum, anus, and the mons pubis (the area above the labia where pubic hair generally grows). The vagina, on the other hand, is internal. It’s the canal between your vulva and your cervix.

What a healthy vulva looks like

“A healthy vagina can vary from person to person,” says Kameelah Phillips, M.D., an ob-gyn at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Dr. Phillips says she focuses on three main things when it comes to a healthy vagina: appearance, odor, and pain.

Appearance

“Normally, the vagina is pink with rugae or ridges throughout the walls. The labia are sisters—not twins—so they typically do not look exactly alike,” says Dr. Phillips. The Labia Library is a resource that helps people with vulvas understand just how very different labias can look and be.

Another thing you’ll notice regarding your vulva’s appearance is moisture and discharge from the vaginal opening.

“During the reproductive years, a healthy vagina has pink, plump vaginal mucosa, good moisture,and a small amount of discharge that has no odor and is clear to white in color,” says Stephanie McClellan, M.D., an ob-gyn and chief medical officer at Tia. (Additionally, vaginal discharge can sometimes change consistency. It may be white, thicker, and stretchy at some points during your cycle, and clear and thin at others.)

Odor

“Everyone has their ‘normal’ vaginal scent and individuals can typically notice deviations,” says Dr. Phillips. That is to say, every person with a vulva generally becomes acquainted with their own scent, but not every person’s scent is the same.

The scent can become stronger at certain times, like after sex, during or after your period, or after exercise. But while some individuals might become self-conscious of their personal scent, there’s never a need to try and change it. Definitely avoid douching altogether.

Pain

“The vulva and vagina should not be painful areas. During intimacy or with routine touch, it should not hurt,” Dr. Phillips says.

If there is any pain during sexual activity with a partner, you may also want to communicate with them. It may just be an issue of a partner not actually knowing or understanding what your body wants and likes. But generally, pain during sex is not standard.

Signs something is off

If you notice any changes from your norm, it’s worth checking out with your gyno.

Appearance

“Any new or growing bumps should be evaluated,” says Dr. Phillips. For example, you may develop small abscesses from ingrown hairs (especially if you shave or wax), or bartholin’s cysts (small fluid-filled cysts near the vaginal opening)—the latter of which may need to be checked out if it doesn’t improve within a few days.

Additionally, new growths, internal or external, of any kind could indicate an STD or STI (such as herpes) or even cancer, so it’s always a good idea to go in for a check up in these cases.

You also want to keep an eye out for any new or different types of discharge. If the discharge more closely resembles cottage cheese, it could be a sign of a yeast infection. If there is discharge that appears yellow, green, or grayish, it could be a sign of a different type of infection or health issue, such as bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Odor

The vagina has its own microbiome, which essentially keeps the pH of the vagina acidic and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast. “If there is an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome, infections, odor, and abnormal discharge occur,” says Dr. McClellan. If you begin to notice a strong and/or foul odor, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.

Pain

Experiencing pain is also indicative of an unhealthy vulva and vagina. There can be some exceptions to this, such as in the postpartum period. This could include uterine cramping, perineal pain (especially if there’s been any tearing), as well as hemorrhoids. Additionally, certain health conditions, like endometriosis, might cause more pain than usual before or during periods as well as during intercourse.

Regardless, you would want to make sure that your pain is addressed by your doctor in order to know whether it’s normal for your condition, and more importantly, what you can do about it (if anything).

Vaginal or vulvar itching or burning can also be a sign of infection. In general, healthy vulvas and vaginas should not itch, save for the occasional minor itch from growing out shaved pubic hair (if you choose to shave). Constant, persistent itching or burning is definitely a reason you would want to book an appointment with your gynecologist.

About 1.5 million Americans have lupus disease and nine out of every 10 are women, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Surprisingly, in two separate conversations about this autoimmune disease — one with a patient, the other with a specialist nurse — the word most frequently spoken was “unpredictable.”

“It’s a disability that you cannot describe because the whole thing about lupus is it’s so unpredictable,” Mallory Dixon, 29, told Medical Daily.

Describing her personal experience, she speaks with the lightest Southern lilt and sounds both young and purposeful at once. In the photograph attached to her email, an attractive, petite brunette with a taste for stylish clothes smiles broadly.

Among the ways lupus cannot be predicted is it strikes at any age, with little racial or ethnic preference, Dixon explains. Worst of all, symptom severity not only varies from patient to patient but also over a person’s lifespan, something she experienced first-hand. Though her doctors identified rheumatoid arthritis when she was 17 years old, Dixon continued to experience lupus symptoms that could not be explained for years.

“One of my doctors told my parent I might need to see a therapist,” she said.

Eventually — six years after her original arthritis diagnosis — a doctor added up her many symptoms, her medical history, and diagnosed lupus. Still, two years later, feeling miserable and finding it difficult to breathe, she knew something had gone terribly wrong. She picked herself up and went to the hospital.

“The night before, I was afraid to go to sleep,” Dixon said. “I tried to downplay the pain, but I had the feeling I was dying.”

Tragically, she was. Arriving at the hospital, she “technically” died, was brought back to life, and then didn’t walk outside again for 86 days. During this most painful period of her life, she fell into a coma, spent time on a ventilator, received chemotherapy, and was treated with dialysis. Later, she learned her pain and symptoms stemmed from the fact that the lupus disease had moved into her kidneys and they were “shutting down.”

“They do think with early prevention we can keep lupus from spreading to organs like the kidneys or in some cases, a patient’s heart or brain,” Dixon said. This is why she believes her most important mission is to “educate young women about what to look for.”

Lupus Symptoms: How it Can Affect Your Life

The Signs of Lupus

“Debilitating fatigue” is one of the very first signs of lupus Sarah Stothers, RN, names. Talking with Medical Daily from the Lupus Foundation of America where she works as a national nurse health educator, she lists the most common lupus symptoms (for both females and males):

• Extreme tiredness
• Headaches
• Painful or swollen joints
• Fever
• Anemia
• Swelling in the feet, legs, hands, and/or around eyes
• Pain in chest when breathing deeply
• Sun- or light-sensitivity
• Hair loss
• Abnormal blood clotting
• Fingers turning white and/or blue when cold
• Mouth or nose ulcers
• A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose (in earlier times this common rash reminded physicians of a wolf’s bite hence the name “lupus,” Latin for “wolf”)

“Some people look completely normal yet they feel awful,” said Stothers, who added “doing the smallest task is impossible.” The disease is often isolating, she explains, “because you look so normal on the outside, and that’s probably the biggest thing: ‘But you look completely fine!'”

Called “the great imitator,” lupus symptoms often mimic those of some heart, lung, muscle, and bone diseases as well as blood disorders, diabetes, thyroid problems, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. This sharing of symptoms suggests to some scientists lupus is connected to autoimmune and hormonal disorders.

“Lupus does not run in my family,” Dixon said. “The only thing that does run in my family is psoriasis, which is another autoimmune disorder.”

And This is Key: Because many lupus disease patients are diagnosed with “a second or third autoimmune disorder” at some point in their lives, anyone who is diagnosed with one of these diseases (or whose family history contains one) should be on the lookout for lupus symptoms. By catching it early, Dixon said, you may be able to avoid a dramatic flare-up like the one that nearly killed her.

(The most common autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, celiac disease, pernicious anemia, vitiligo, scleroderma, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel diseases, Hashimoto’s disease, Addison’s disease, Graves’ disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, and type 1 diabetes. In each of these disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks bodily tissues as if they were germs, viruses, or other foreign invaders).

Lupus: Causes and Treatments

“We know there’s a genetic component to lupus,” said Stothers, whose voice radiates intelligence and compassion. She explains how simply carrying the gene does not mean you will develop lupus, environment and hormones also play a role. Specifically, scientists believe estrogen is involved, due to the higher incidence among women and the average age range for diagnosis.

“It is predominately diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 44,” said Stothers, who added, “that’s the time when women are most fertile.” In fact, many women are first diagnosed while pregnant or after giving birth, when their hormones are in flux, she says. Still, Stothers has seen patients diagnosed in their 70s and 80s (and here she uses the word “unpredictable”), so even this is not entirely definite.

Here are some great diet tips on foods that can help with managing lupus symptoms.

Support for Individuals with Lupus Disease

Patients often live long, productive, and happy lives, says Stothers, but to stay healthy, they must monitor their own lupus symptoms as does Dixon. Though she gave up her dream of a high-powered fashion career in New York City, she continues to work from home while advocating for the Lupus Foundation. Naturally, though, self-awareness can be challenging in a busy world, a busy life.

“That’s the hard thing with lupus, the unknown of when you’re going to have a really bad flare-up,” said Dixon, who explained that patients have mild, moderate, or severe flare-ups at any time. “Everyone has to figure out her own triggers,” she said, explaining how stress, the common cold, and working too hard are hers.

Generally, Stothers finds lupus patients to be “very type A people” who may need some help, but “somehow they make it work. People with lupus are probably the most courageous people I’ve ever met and the most in tune with their bodies,” she said. “I am very much privileged to know them.”

While Stothers and health care professionals like her offer compassion and lend emotional support, Dixon who is grateful for the support she receives from family, friends, and the Lupus Foundation, tells patients they must become their own “biggest cheerleader.”

“At the end of the day, you’re going to be the one to get yourself out of bed,” Dixon said.

  WITHIN 5 MINUTES YOU CAN DO MANY THINGS – ROAST EGGS, LISTEN TO A GOOD SONG, FEED YOUR CAT, OR HAVE SEX.

Because, according to scientists, sex does not last longer on average.

This surprisingly modest result was obtained from the Hamburg Institute of Male Health. But what would women say about this?

THE FACTS SPEAK

There is a lot of talk about this topic, and a lot of research has been done. One study also conducted condom company Durex.

For the survey, countries were ranked according to how long lasts sex among their residents.

At the top was Nigeria with 24 minutes, followed by Greece with 22 minutes.

France, otherwise known as a land of good lovers, is in the penultimate place, with an average of 15 minutes.

However, the research does not reveal whether the respondents spoke the truth. And, as you can see, these results do not overlap with those of Hamburg.

SHORT SEX

While the average is probably 5 minutes, some men can’t stand it. This can be demotivating, but it shouldn’t worry you.

One 42-year-old man decided to share his experience with premature ejaculation:

“I’ve always ejaculated very quickly, most of the time in just three seconds. It didn’t bother my first wife. She didn’t care too much about sex, and I didn’t know about anything else. But when I met my current partner, that changed. At first she thought I hadn’t had sex for a long time and therefore it didn’t last long, but then she realized what was going on. But it helped me. We found tricks that work. For example, I think of something demotivating during sex. All of a sudden I realized that sex can last longer. ”

EVERYONE HAS THEIR TIME

The story of the 42-year-old man sounds much more realistic than the 24 minutes in Nigeria. Especially if we know that only the time from penetration to orgasm is measured.

Professor Frank Sommer of the Hamburg School of Medicine asked couples about the duration of this act.

The response of men was 25 to 27 minutes, and that of women was 12 to 15 minutes.

Then the results were checked with a stopwatch. You probably assume there was a big difference. The average time measured was 3.11 minutes.

This makes you wonder if both men and women lie, or do we simply perceive time differently during sex.

TOO LONG SEX

However, there are also many men who endure. But this does not mean that every woman likes it. One 33-year-old woman shared her story:

“I always reach the top really fast, and it takes a lot of time for my partner. When I say this to my girlfriends, they think it’s a luxury I should enjoy. But it bothers me. I didn’t say anything to the boyfriend for a long time so as not to hurt him, but then I told him that I couldn’t be that long. He thought he must endure as long as possible because it is the only way that I enjoy it.”

IS LONG SEX REALLY BETTER?

All stories are different, but the question remains whether good sex is related to the duration.

It makes sense that it’s nice to want to last longer. In sex, not only orgasm is beautiful, but foreplay and the act itself, and according to this logic, we would not want to end.

But the reality is different. Maybe in movies and books making love looks wonderful, romantic and endlessly long, but it’s just a fantasy.

According to a study conducted at Behrend College in Pennsylvania, women need just 13 minutes of sex. Well, feel free not to worry about it.

Duration is just one aspect of sex, and the question of how long it lasts just creates unnecessary pressure. More important are the questions you want in sex, what excites you, what bothers you and the like. When you know these answers, everything else will be fine.

There is no rule on how long sex should last. You can enjoy fast sex, and you can enjoy long lovemaking. And if you are with the right person, just 5 minutes will seem endless.

  Many girls out there want to go on with a newly purchased sexy halter dress on very special occasions. However, not many are able to do that. Well, the reason behind it is that many out there don’t have a strapless bra to wear and don’t want to shell out an extra penny on making an additional purchase.

So, most of the girls out there prefers not to purchase any such dress.

Here we bring for you a simple and reasonably priced way to solve this tricky problem. This trick also allows you to give new life to your old and unused inner wears. This indeed fixes two things at the same time!

Scroll down to know further and don’t forget to follow the steps mentioned below:

Things actually required

Here is the list of the things you will be requiring:

• A bra.
• A pair of scissors
• Pins
• The sewing thread

Let’s get started:

#Step 1

.Hold your inner wear firmly and cut the strap from the rearmost end (where the strap is connected to the rear band of the bra).

#Step 2.

Now cut the rest of the band going back as near to the casings. The main objective is to get rid of all the net fabric.

#Step 3

Once you are done with the one side, now you need to repeat the same action on the other side as well. But, always bear in mind that you need to cut the strap.

#Step 4

After this, you need to carefully remove the remaining crown of the bra. In the end, it must keep on that both casings and supports dangling on the top.

#Step 5.

Make use of a pin and try to catch the bottom straps at the bottom of the casings at the point that you feel most comfy.

#Step 6

After Step 5, you need to try out your brand new bra! If the bands are too close-fitting, you can change them in the direction of the outside of the basket. Once you seem fine with the perfect arrangement, you can stitch the band to the casing of inner wear.

So here is the outcome of what you did. See this way you can wear and dress without fear of bra strap peeping out of it and ruining the look of the dress. See the B is actually invisible. Isn’t that easy to do?

  While living into your 90s or even to 100 isn’t as rare a phenomenon as it once was (especially for women), no one quite knows what biological components or behavioral “secrets” make someone predisposed for such a long life span.

For the study, published in the journal Menopause, researchers looked at data from the Women’s Health Initiative, a long-term analysis of 16,000 postmenopausal U.S. women. The research showed that starting menstruation at the age of 12 was the best indicator of a longer life. Same goes for hitting menopause after age 50.

The woman who has got their period later are prone to live longer. Among them were those who did not smoke and does and who have never received diabetes. Healthy habits and healthy menstruation mean equally healthy life.

In terms of other health issues tied to the timing of period, Aladdin Shadyab, one of the lead authors of the study, also said:

Our researchers say that women who later get your period are less likely to suffer from certain conditions, such as coronary artery disease, and are more likely to spend their whole lives relatively healthy # says study author, In addition, the research results show that women who received later menstruation and reach menopause later are mostly nonsmokers, and are much less likely to develop diabetes, although not yet clear the exact connection between these two facts

  Often times, we, women, pay a lot of attention to our looks which includes taking care of our physique and even our skin. But what about our nether regions? Topics like sexual health and upkeep of our private parts get pushed to a corner precisely because there is a slight hesitation or stigma attached to these topics. One feels really uncomfortable asking someone about it.

But ladies, I want to tell you that your vaginal health is as, if not more, important as maintaining a perfect visage. After all, a happy vajayjay means a happy you. To make you better equipped to take care of your lady parts and help you keep it in the perfect ten conditions, we decided to do a little bit of research. While doing this research, we found that a few of our everyday habits spell disaster for the health of our front bottoms. Curious to know what they are? Here you go-

1. Washing It

Before you say anything, we aren’t saying you should never clean it under the hood. What we are saying is, cleaning there is not like cleaning your armpits or your back — scrubbing and lathering with soap. Scrubbing it is out of the question as it can make the area very raw and uncomfortable. Using soap can also lead to irritation in case you are sensitive down there.

Instead, a splash of water is enough, and if you must use a cleaning solution, go for an unscented, hypoallergenic one, and just apply it using your hands, avoid using a washcloth or a loofah.

2. Sitting In Your Gym Clothes For Far Too Long

We’ve all been there when we make our way to the gym and after a good workout, we’re riding that adrenaline high, and we think that there’s no harm in running a few errands. It might save us a few minutes, but it’s certainly not making our vajayjay happy.

Sweat is the breeding ground for a lot of bacteria including yeast that thrives in moist conditions, so as soon as you’re done with your workout, take off the sweaty workout gear. If possible, try to take a shower at your gym and change into a fresh pair of clothes including underpants before running errands.

3. Wearing Sanitary Pads

Yes, even sanitary pads can spell trouble for your nether regions. If your lady parts are sensitive, then wearing a sanitary napkin all day can irritate it or lead to chafing. If you really wish to continue with the pads, try using ones which are made of cotton.

4. Shaving Down There

Whether you prefer to go au naturel or not, consider giving it a shot for the health and happiness of your nether regions. It turns out that the pubic hair helps in preserving the air pocket that exists between the skin of our nether regions and the underwear. This air pocket helps in keeping the area dry and inhospitable for germs and infectious bacteria. In the absence of hair, there is no air pocket, leading to accumulation of moisture there due to sweating.

So, shaving might seem more hygienic, but it’s an unhealthy option. If you want, you can trim it or try grooming only the bikini line areas.

5. Leaving Tampons In For Long Periods Of Time

Ever heard of the “Toxic Shock Syndrome?” Well, it’s a type of life-threatening infection, caused by a type of bacteria known as the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. However, sometimes it can also be due to the toxins secreted by another type of bacteria known as Group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria.

One of the primary causes of Toxic Shock Syndrome is leaving in tampons for longer than the recommended duration. So, even if it doesn’t feel quite full, try to change it as often as you can.

6. Having A Poor Diet

Having a poor diet is not only bad for your health in general, but it also puts your vajayjay at risk of infections and diseases. For example, if you consume a diet that has a high sugar content, then it can cause an overgrowth of the bacteria responsible for causing yeast infections (candida). And if you indulge in spicy food it can alter the natural pH of your vagina, which in turn can make it smell different.

To avoid this, you can include probiotics in your diet, it will help in the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut and do the same for your nether regions as well.

7. Using Panty Liners For Discharge

The vaginal discharge that you experience is a natural way by which your lady parts clean themselves. Some of us are quite conscious of this and resort to wearing panty liners or sanitary napkins to avoid feeling uncomfortable when we experience discharge. However, it’s not a wise thing to do. Wearing a pantyliner for long durations can irritate your vajayjay, therefore, don’t use it in case you’re experiencing discharge. If you are experiencing foul-smelling discharge or experiencing it in more-than-usual quantity, consult a doctor.

So ladies, if you want to have a blissful experience down there, then these are the habits that you should get rid of. In case you know of any other habits that have an effect on vaginal health, then let us know in the comments.

  Love takes many forms. Romantic love is just one of them, but to be honest, it is by far the most interesting. Right from the chase to the final stage where looks don’t even matter anymore, it is a journey of a lifetime. And it is sweeter if you are with someone who really loves you for what you are. And no matter what films say, grand gestures are never everything in love.

 

Love exists in the smallest, most intimate of gestures. Society has always required of men to be intimidating and “masculine”. The word is double-edged as it also requires men to shove off all their feelings down the carpet and be more aggressive.

So how do you know if he’s trained not to tell you? Well look out for these 7 signs:

1. He makes small sacrifices for you

This is something that you should look out for. Men are very selfish creatures, to be honest. If you see your boyfriend makes small sacrifices for you, it means that he is fighting off his better instincts for you. That’s not something he is comfortable at. He is putting himself in a false position for your betterment.

2. When you talk, he listens

Again, men are trained to be aggressive, even in conversations. You will rarely find them taking time to sit quiet and listen to what the other person has to say. This is pretty common and I’m sure you have seen it as well. But if the person you are with is taking the time to listen to you, he is making a strong gesture that translates to love and nothing else.

3. He shows you his weaker sides

If a man shows you the hole in his armor, he is literally giving you the keys to his heart. This is because he knows you can just hurt him by using his vulnerabilities against him. But he trusts and loves you enough to tell you anyway. He knows the bond you share is far stronger than any ego.

4. He loves the way you look, always

Even on the days when you haven’t showered and are hungover, with dark circles under your eyes. He still finds you absolutely mesmerizing and irresistible. Big sign: Him kissing you when you least expect it. He doesn’t care for looks when it comes to you, or better still, he finds you beautiful all the time, because he knows you are his person, the one he wants to spend his life with. He not only loves you when you are dolled up and looking amazing, but he loves you even when you haven’t tried at all.

5. He celebrates your achievement

You can see it in his eyes that he is honored to be a part of your life. He makes it a point to feel happy for your achievements and makes it a point to celebrate them. He is ever hopeful for you and has high ambitions for you. And it’s not just that; he makes it a point to tell you how proud he is of you, while helping you out in whatever way he can.

6. He is there when you need him

Whenever you are in a fix, he is there to patch you out. He will help you in any way possible and never say no, or take a step back when his turn comes. Besides, he will just be there, like a constant beacon of hope for you. After a tough day out, he is going to be your bed rock.

7. He treats your circle with respect

Simple: He is getting used to them. This is because he has to spent a large amount of time with them after you two settle down with a family of your own. He tries to get to know them and doesn’t judge them or refuses to spend time around them.