January 2017
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5:53 AM
If you have a vagina, you've probably spent a decent amount of time wondering if what's coming out of it is normal. But bringing up your vaginal discharge and asking your friends if theirs looks and smells the same isn't typically accepted happy hour chitchat.

Concern about discharge is "the number one reason why women go to the gyno," Michael Cackovic, M.D., an ob/gyn at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. When you're concerned about unexplained changes in your body, it's always a smart idea to check in with your doctor to find out what's up. But when it comes to discharge, what's "normal" varies greatly, depending on all sorts of things—even your stress levels or the foods you eat.

So how do you know if your discharge is a sign something's off kilter? Here, Cackovic explains what typical discharge should look like, and what colors, smells, and textures should raise a red flag.

What does normal discharge look like?
"Normal is about a teaspoon every 24 hours," Cackovic says. "It can be white, transparent, thick, thin, mostly odorless, but there may be a slight odor," he adds. A faint odor is simply from the cells of the cervix and vagina that have sloughed off and are being dispelled. Discharge can also turn slightly yellow when it interacts with the air, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

But what's normal can change quite a bit depending on an array of different things. "Pregnancy, use of contraceptive pills, even things like sexual activity and your diet can affect different characteristics of discharge," Cackovic says. Discharge can look different at various points in your mesntrual cycle, too, thanks to different hormonal changes during ovulation. Which is why women who use the rhythm method, or natural family planning, monitor their discharge closely, among other things. Even stress can alter how much discharge you have.

For women who are menopausal or post menopausal, it's not uncommon to have more or less discharge than normal because of the changes in estrogen levels.

How can I know when something's wrong?
The vagina is a carefully balanced ecosystem, with between 10 and 20 types of bacteria that live in perfect harmony. "The environment is maintained to be slightly acidic by the majority of bacteria, lactobacillus," Cackovic explains. "Anything that changes that, even wearing a wet bathing suit, or just being sweaty and wet down there," can throw off the natural balance. For some women, seemingly innocent things like changing your laundry detergent or using new bath products that change the pH of your vagina can be enough to cause an infection.

When the delicate balance gets thrown off, one type of bacteria or yeast has the opportunity to overgrow, or a foreign bacteria introduced into the mix multiplies, and you end up with a really uncomfortable infection, which can lead to changes in discharge. Small changes in discharge quantity, color, and even smell, can be completely benign, but any drastic difference, or if it's coupled with itching, pain, burning, or bleeding (which can make discharge look brown), is a sign something's not right—and you should get in to see your gyno ASAP.

Bacterial vaginosis, an overgrowth of native bacteria in the vagina, typically turns discharge gray and fishy smelling. The STIs chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis can also affect discharge. These infections tend to make it smelly and a yellow-green color. This can be one of the early signs of infection—the itching and burning typically won’t start until after the infection gets bad, Cackovic says.

A yeast infection, caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast called candida that naturally lives in your vagina, can produce thick discharge that resembles cottage cheese. Yeast infections commonly occur when the vagina is extra moist, from things like sweat or sitting all day in a wet bathing suit. "It basically changes the environment and makes it more susceptible to yeast," Cackovic explains, so the yeast that normally lives there over populates.

If you have signs of an infection, refrain from self-treating, and go visit your gyno.
Cackovic cautions against self-diagnosing and running to CVS to treat your symptoms. If you're treating the wrong thing, it will throw things even more out of whack and create a vicious cycle of infection.

After determining what's causing the funky discharge and irritation, your doctor can direct you toward the right treatment, whether it's a pill or cream. If your infection is caused by bacteria, Cackovic notes that you should expect to be symptom-free about 72 hours after being on antibiotics. If it's caused by a fungus (yeast is a fungus) the typical course of treatment is using an anti-fungal medicated cream for three to five days.

"You definitely should see your doctor if there’s a change [in discharge] and you want to make sure," he says. "If something's really going on, it requires a doctor who can take a look and come up with a plan." The last thing you want is to suffer through an itchy, painful infection longer than necessary.
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7:58 AM
This article originally appeared in Glamour.

Given that your diet affects pretty much everything from your menstrual cycle to your mood, it's no surprise that it can affect how things are going in your nether regions.

Here are a few tips from experts to keep everything down there working as it should.

1. Eat plenty of prebiotics and probiotics.
According to Jennie Ann Freiman, M.D., your vagina, like your gut, requires healthy bacteria to fight infections and maintain a normal pH. The bacteria in the gut, in turn, affects those in the vagina. To improve your gut health and your vaginal health, she advises eating prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, and raw leeks and probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kombucha tea. According to Brian A. Levine, M.D., consuming probiotics has actually been shown to help women with vaginitis—chronic vaginal discomfort that can lead to pain during sex. Prebiotic and probiotic supplements aren't great substitutes for these foods, Freiman says: "Lab formulations don't beat Mother Nature."

 2. Enjoy nuts and other healthy fats.
Healthy fats like those found in nuts, olive oil, and avocados regulate your cholesterol, keeping your estrogen levels in balance, which in turn creates a healthy mucosal lining that can help ward off infection. Almonds and other types of nuts are especially good, says Levine, because they contain B vitamins and calcium that prevent vaginitis.

 3. Avoid processed foods.
While prebiotic and probiotic foods add helpful bacteria to the gut and vagina, Freiman says processed foods depress your immune system, which can allow harmful bacteria to take over. This can lead to all sorts of problems down there, including bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, dryness, pain during sex, and urinary tract infections.

4. Go easy on the sugar.
According to Burt Webb, M.D., too much sugar can damage or kill the important vaginal bacteria Lactobacilli, which can lead to yeast infections, soreness, and irritation—three things you really don't want to deal with.

5. Try to avoid artificial hormones.
Certain meats and dairy products contain xenoestrogens—artificial hormones that imitate estrogen. According to Webb, these can block estrogen from the vagina, preventing the mucosal lining from forming which again, can leave you open to infection.

 6. Stay hydrated.
"The vagina is just like the inside of the mouth—when a woman is thirsty and parched, her vagina probably is too," says Levine. Hydration can also help prevent any unusual odors from surfacing down there, says Octavia Cannon, D.O.—just one more reason to gulp down more water every day.
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7:05 AM

Ob/gyns map out your best course of action—because they see this ALL THE TIME.

Like any hostess worth her salt, your vagina is usually happy to accommodate visitors...as long as they don't overstay their welcome. But sometimes things get lodged inside the vaginal canal and are so hard to retrieve, it seems like you'll need the gynecological version of the jaws of life to make things right. It's like your vagina's taunting you, saying, "You want this thing out? You'll have to pry it from my warm, wet walls lol good luck." Fortunately, if you do lose control of a tampon or wayward condom, there are a few actions you can take to make it easier to remove. And if it comes to it, a medical practitioner can also lend a hand. Either way, rest easy: You won't have to walk around with this random thing inside of you for the rest of your days.

The most common objects people get stuck in their vaginas are...

...tampons and birth control methods like condoms, diaphragms, and sponges, Alyssa Dweck, M.D., assistant clinical professor of obstetrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and co-author of V Is For Vagina, tells SELF. The NuvaRing, another form of contraception, and estrogen-providing rings women can use after menopause to relieve issues like vaginal dryness, can also get caught up there, Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School, tells SELF. "I actually had one woman who came in with three [estrogen] rings because she forgot she hadn't taken out the previous ones. That's my personal best," says Minkin.

And the typical rescue signal is an olfactory one.
While you'll probably immediately notice that something like a condom or diaphragm has gone MIA, it might take more time to realize a tampon has disappeared into the vaginal ether. Sometimes people simply forget they have one in, or even accidentally put a fresh tampon in on top of an old one. The main tip-off that a tampon's still hanging around? A persistent odor, says Minkin.

You don't need to worry about a tampon, condom, or other object somehow wandering up through the rest of your body.

Your vagina isn't an open-ended tube—your cervix is there to make sure things like harmful bacteria and, yes, tampons, condoms, and the like, can't just travel around willy-nilly. Yes, it opens, like to allow a baby to pass through, but it does a heck of a job preventing things from going the other way. "Something like a condom or tampon is too big to go anywhere besides the vagina," says Dweck. That said, it's still in your best interest to get the object out posthaste, especially if it's a tampon. "Pulling [an old tampon] out is usually treatment enough in and of itself, however with a tampon that’s retained, there's always a slim chance of toxic shock syndrome," says Dweck. It's very rare, with only 26 U.S. women reporting cases of TSS in 2015, but still worth being cautious about.

In terms of actually getting whatever it is out, you have a few options.
"You can do something relaxing like take a warm shower or bath, insert your index finger into the vagina, gently brush around until you feel the foreign body, then try to scoop it out," says Dweck. Putting some lubricant on your finger might make this easier, she adds. As you feel around, it might help to get into a squatting position and bear down like you're trying to push it out, says Minkin.

Or you can take your efforts outside of the shower. "Another option, if you have a cooperative partner, is to put your heels up like you're in a pelvic exam and they can feel around inside your vagina to see if they can grasp this thing," says Minkin. (This article would be remiss without mentioning the iconic Sex and the City scene in which Samantha proved she was a true ride or die friend by fishing around for Carrie's stuck diaphragm.)

If the culprit is a condom and you're able to get it out on your own, breathe a sigh of relief. Then, if you're not on the Pill (or if you are but you don't use it perfectly), get your hands on some form of emergency contraception, says Dweck. If you don't have access to something like the morning after pill but you do have birth control pills, depending on the brand you can use those as emergency contraception instead. And if you don't know the STI status of the person you were having sex with, Dweck suggests making an appointment with an ob/gyn or other healthcare provider to get STI tests and potentially treatment for infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, just in case.

Be prepared to call in a professional.
If you can't get the stuck object out on your own, that's normal. Sometimes these things are tough to reach because they're wedged up in the vaginal fornix, which Minkin describes as "little corners behind where the cervix dips down into the vagina." Know that there is zero shame in seeing a doctor about this. "People get really sheepish, but I guarantee you're not the only person I'm going to see this month for this. We see it all the time," says Minkin. And removal is pretty simple—your ob/gyn or nurse practitioner will insert a speculum, then use what basically amounts to a long set of tweezers to pull out whatever's refusing to budge. Problem solved.
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6:59 AM
David Pinzer / Getty
Vaginas are pretty amazing when you think about it. They shuttle new life into the world and bring us pleasure during sex. And unlike those dirty dishes sitting in your sink, they can even clean themselves. But because vaginas are so hard to see, they're often shrouded in mystery—and while that might be a great quality in a sexy stranger you meet on vacation, that's not necessarily something to shoot for with a body part.

Being in the dark about your vagina makes it easier to fall pray to marketing that says it should smell a certain way, like a fragrant country garden. It can also mean you may not be taking care of this precious part the way you should.

So we asked Leah Millheiser, M.D., an ob/gyn and director of the Female Sexual Medicine Center at Stanford Health Care, to clear up some of the most pervasive myths surrounding vaginas and drop some knowledge.

Myth #1: You can lose a tampon in there.
Many women still don't realize it's like a cul-de-sac, with your cervix stopping anything from free-falling into your uterus. "The vagina is a closed space," Millheiser tells SELF. "A tampon isn't going to get lost in a black hole. The reason people may think it can get lost is because there are hills and valleys of tissue in the vagina," she says. "So a tampon may be hidden in the folds of tissue." If you've inserted a tampon and can't grasp the string or the tampon itself to get it out, head to your gyno right away. He or she can insert a speculum to make it easier to see—and quickly retrieve—the wayward tampon.
Myth #2: Your vagina shouldn't have a smell.
If you believe advertisers and women who like to run through fields in slow motion, all females should smell fresh as a daisy down below. But being completely odorless isn't the norm for most women. "Every woman has her own personal scent," notes Millheiser. "Some women say, 'I never notice an odor,' but others say they constantly have some odor, such as a musty smell. That's your body type, just as some have more body odor than others. Also, if you're sweating, it's going to smell more." That said, if there's been a significant change in your vaginal scent, consider that a red flag. Vaginal odor that has a fishy smell, especially if it gets worse right after your period or after sex, can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, which is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your gyno can diagnose you and prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Myth #3: Having discharge means there's a problem down south.
"I wish I had a dollar for every time a patient said, 'I have discharge. There must be something wrong,'" says Millheiser. Discharge is perfectly normal and is your vagina's way of staying clean. "Discharge is the shedding of the cells of the vagina," she says. "All woman have it. Some have a tiny bit and don't even notice it on their underwear, while others have a lot and need to change their underwear during the day. Some can have a tablespoon per day and it's normal." What isn't? Discharge that's green, milky grey, frothy, or cottage cheese-like in consistency—all signs that point to a vaginal infection that needs to be evaluated by your doctor.

Myth #4: Douching is a great way to freshen up.
About one in four women ages 15 to 44 years old douche, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you're one of them, step away from the douche. "The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven," explains Millheiser. "It will take care of itself—no cleaning on your part required." In fact, douching is more harmful than helpful. "If a woman is douching because she wants to get that fresh smell or to gain more confidence before intercourse, she needs to be aware she's setting herself up for infection," she says. Douching throws off the delicate bacteria balance in the vagina and ups the risk of multiple health issues from bacterial vaginosis to pelvic inflammatory disease to ectopic pregnancy. If you're douching because you're trying to get rid of a fishy odor or cottage cheese-like discharge, then you're potentially covering up an existing infection that needs your gyno's attention.

Myth #5: You should wash it with soap.
We hope you already know not to use soap inside your vagina (ouch). But even normal lathering up can be like an assault on your vulva, which is the outer part of your vagina, especially if your soap contains perfume and dyes. "It's a really sensitive place and harsh soaps can cause irritation down there," says Millheiser. Instead, stick with a fragrance-free soap, such as Dove Sensitive Skin bar soap, or else it's perfectly fine and effective to just use plain water to keep things clean.

Myth #6: It can get stretched out like an old accordion.
Yes, there are some cases, such as after multiple vaginal births or after suffering a childbirth injury, in which the vaginal opening can become stretched. But for the most part, childbirth and certainly having sex won't make you "loose." Vaginas are not only designed to open up to accommodate surprisingly large objects, from well-endowed penises to a baby's head, but they're also highly elastic. In other words, they're pros at snapping back into shape.

Myth #7: Your vagina should lubricate on cue.
Not everyone gets wet right before having sex and that's perfectly normal—even if you're in your 20s. Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives, can cause a lack of lubrication, along with hormonal changes that happen during breastfeeding and approaching or going through menopause. But that's not all: A lack of foreplay can also bring on vaginal dryness, along with a lack of novelty that can come with having a long-term partner or just plain being exhausted because you have kids or a demanding job (or both). Being dry as a desert down there is problematic because it makes sex painful instead of pleasurable. The good news is that there's an easy solution: Lubricant. Millheiser recommends using a water-based lube if you only need a small amount to supplement your body's natural lubrication. If you need the works, use a silicon-based lube. "They're amazing, last longer, reduce friction better and are just as safe as water-based lubes," she says. Or you can try natural oils, such as coconut oil. Just note that you can't use latex condoms with natural oils, which may break down the latex.

Myth #8: You can't get skin conditions down there like you do on the rest of your body.
Sadly, private parents aren't protected from some common skin issues. "You can have eczema or psoriasis down there," notes Millheiser. "So if you have chronic irritation and redness on the vulva and you happen to have eczema or psoriasis somewhere else on your body, there's a good chance you'll have it down there, too." See your gyno to rule out other causes like yeast infections first, and if it is genital eczema or psoriasis, your doc can recommend treatment, such as topical steroids, to reduce the itching and irritation.
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8:08 AM
My boyfriend was more than happy to be my official taste tester.

While there are no valid scientific studies on how to change the taste of your vagina, it certainly doesn't stop people from speculating. The rumors are legion: Does garlic make it taste strange? What about asparagus, probably the most well-known pee odor-changer out there? And does pineapple really sweeten the pot?

Let's get one thing clear: As long as you're healthy, your vagina smells and tastes perfectly fine. It's not supposed to smell like roses or taste like candy. The only time for concern is when it smells "fishy" or otherwise unpleasant, because that can hint at bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or some other health issue. (See your gynecologist if that happens.) Women should smell like women—maybe a little salty, maybe a little sweet, but always with our own unique, indescribable aroma.
Yet many women fixate on the look, feel, and smell of their private parts. Even comedian Amy Schumer has touched on the topic. On an Inside Amy Schumer segment from April of this year, she did a skit about "Yo-Puss," a magical (fictional) yogurt that "makes your pussy taste like nothing."

 Clearly, this is a hot topic, so I decided to get to the bottom of it.
I embarked on a two-week culinary cunnilingus adventure, taking my boyfriend of two and a half months (let's call him John) along for the ride. I loaded up on four foods—and one remarkable tablet, more on that later—rumored to change the vagina's taste and/or smell, then had John go down on me to test each one out. All for the sake of science, of course.(While we’re on the subject, a note on the experiment: No, we didn’t use rigorous scientific methods, and, yes, my boyfriend knew when I’d eaten what foods, so that might have influenced his opinions.)

My quest to determine whether the things you eat can really change your vagina wasn't about vaginas being unacceptable as they are—again, there's no need for healthy women to change the taste or smell down there. It was more about finding out whether there's any truth to all this vaginal hearsay. Here's what I discovered.

 In an unexpected result, pineapple made my vagina taste like "nothing."
Courtesy of Carrie Borzillo
Before I conducted my first taste test, I consulted with San Francisco-based gynecologist and author Jen Gunter, M.D., and asked her if there was any reason to believe pineapple would work. "The urban myth is that pineapple can change vaginal odor, but there are no studies to prove this and no science behind it," Gunter tells SELF.
Duly noted. But I ate a pound of pineapple chunks and downed six ounces of pineapple juice anyway to figure it out on my own. I waited two hours, hoping that was enough time for it to get under my skin, then invited my boyfriend over for a little playtime.

As his tongue was furiously doing the ABCs (my favorite oldie-but-goodie technique for clitoral stimulation), I was anxious for results.

"Well, what do I taste like?!" I asked, kind of ruining the mood.

 John mumbled something I couldn't decipher.

 "Do I taste sweet?"

 He came up for air for a second to say, "Uh, no..."

"Does it smell like pineapple? Take a deep breath in! Really get in there and smell it!"
Barking out orders in bed might not be the sexiest way to conduct this experiment, but I was on a mission...and a deadline.
Trooper that he is, John went back down, followed my orders, popped back up, and replied, "You just taste and smell the same?" After more prodding, he said I tasted and smelled like "nothing."
Determined to find a food that would make me taste like something, we moved on to a more flavorful pick.

 Garlic was also a bust.
Courtesy of Carrie Borzillo
I had so much hope. Gunter said that garlic-derived metabolites could change the odor of breast milk, so it's likely the same reason some people may feel they smell differently after eating garlic.

John and I headed to a little Italian bistro and asked the waitress to double the garlic on all of our dishes. We could see the garlic chunks on the garlic bread, penne checca (penne pasta, tomato, garlic, and basil), and pan-fried potatoes with garlic and parsley. We could also smell it on our hands right away.
After conducting the pineapple experiment like a dictator, I decided to take a different route and make this taste test more fun. After eating, I gave John a little striptease and decided to taste test him first. He didn't taste like garlic, nor did his semen. Neither did I. We tested it again the next morning with zero change. "You still taste like nothing," he said. "Seriously?" I asked. "Yep, nothing." Next!

Mberry tablets made me taste like "candy, summer, and paradise."
Courtesy of Carrie Borzillo
Since the food taste test wasn't delivering exceptional results at this point, we decided to try these Mberry "miracle fruit tablets" that claim to "transform ordinary foods into the extraordinary." You dissolve one tablet on your tongue and, thanks to a taste-modifying molecule called miraculin, any sour foods you eat suddenly taste sweet.
Before we tried it out on my V, we tried it with a lemon and glass of wine first just to see if it worked. It did! It made the lemon taste like very sugary lemonade, and my dry and oaky cabernet sauvignon turned into a sickeningly sweet fruity dessert wine.

 Next on the menu? Vagina! After a 20-minute walk home from the wine bar, John popped another Mberry, let it fully dissolve, and went down on me. Within a few minutes, he stopped what he was doing and said, "This is crazy. You taste like SweeTARTS. It's like candy. It's summery. It's like paradise! Usually after a long walk, you'd taste salty. This is crazy!" **

 Doing basically the opposite of Mberry tablets, asparagus apparently made me taste "really green."
Courtesy of Carrie Borzillo
Since asparagus is proven to cause smelly urine, how could it not do the same for your vag? Well, it does. I ate 10 ounces of steamed asparagus with a little cracked pepper and lemon juice, and 20 minutes later, we hit the sheets. Within a minute of investigation, John declared, "You taste very green...very, very green. It's like a mix of asparagus and grass. It's not really pleasant," he said.

Similarly, curry made me "funky."
Courtesy of Carrie Borzillo
Like garlic, curry seems to stick to your skin when you cook or eat it. As I ate about a cup and a half each of mixed vegetable curry and chana saagwala (spinach, garbanzo beans, and curry spices), I found this to be oh so true. But John didn't smell or taste it on my vagina...at least not that night.

When we went for round two the next morning, the curry certainly made my cooch a little fragrant. "It's not good, but it's tolerable. It's a little on the funky side. There's definitely a whiff of curry, and curry isn't really a great smell anyway, and it tastes saltier." He continued: "Salty isn't bad, it's just a stronger smell."

And with that, the experiment was over. While I did learn which foods will and won't change how my vagina tastes, I learned something even better about my relationship.
Sometimes at the beginning of a relationship—especially given that we've only been dating a few months—there are a lot of wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am quickies. That can be hot, but it can also mean you don't take time to fully savor each other. This experiment got to us to go slowly, explore each other with more purpose, and it also taught us to talk about sex. Even if every food had made my vagina taste like "nothing," that would be worth it.
Ultimately, John said, "I really don't care what you smell or taste like anyway." And that's the way it should be, because anyone who has a problem with a vagina's natural smell or taste shouldn't really have access to vaginas. After this experience, I can quite safely say John's not just a trooper, but also a keeper.
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7:29 AM
Azadirachta indica, also known as Neem, Nimtree, and Indian Lilac is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India and the Indian subcontinent including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It typically is grown in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Neem trees now also grow in islands located in the southern part of Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.

Get it
  • Neem leaves- 10-12
  • Water- 1 liter
  • Empty bottle- 1
Prepare it
1. Take a handful of Neem leaves.
2.  Boil them in 1 liter of water till the water gets a nice greenish color.

3.  Allow the water to cool down and then strain the water.

4.  Store the liquid in a bottle and rinse the vaginal area to get rid of the fishy vaginal odor.

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8:25 AM
1.   A vaginal “fart,” also called a “queef” or “vart,” is common. Unlike gas expelled from the rectum, which contains fecal waste and has an odor, vaginal flatulence is odorless and unrelated to the rectum (unless a woman has a rare rectovaginal fistula).[2]

2.   Each vagina has its own smell. The smell depends on a variety of factors, including the combination of normal bacteria that live in the vagina, diet, types of fabric a woman wears, level of hygiene, how much a woman sweats, and gland secretions.[2]

3.  The first inch or two of the vagina has the most nerve endings and is the most pleasure receptive.[3]

4.  The speculum (Latin for “mirror”) dates back to 1300 B.C. Speculums have also been found in the ruins at Pompeii.[2]

5.  The first movie to use the word “vagina” on film was the 1946 Disney animated film called “The Story of Menstruation.”[9]

6.  The word “vagina” is Latin for “sheath” or “scabbard.” The plural of vagina is vaginae or vaginas.[2]

7.   One patient was so worried that she had lost something in her vagina, she used pliers to try to find it. She ended up pulling on and tearing her cervix, which required hours of surgery to repair. Most gynecologists recommend that if a woman thinks something is in her vagina, to lube up the fingers with K-Y jelly or olive oil and stick them all the way inside. If she or her partner can’t feel anything inside, chances are good that there’s nothing there. A woman should not be embarrassed to call a gynecologist for help.[5]

8.  The pH (acid/base balance) of the vagina is around 4, which is the same pH as wine, tomatoes, and beer. Some things that change the pH of the vagina are vaginal infections, douching, soap, and exposure to semen.b[2]

9.  The largest vagina in history most likely belonged to Anna Swann (1846-1888). She was 7 feet and 5 inches tall and weighed 350 pounds. She gave birth to a 23-pound baby with a 19-inch head.[2]

10.  In 2006, in the novel The Haunted Vagina, a woman’s vagina acted as a gateway to the world of the dead.[4]

11. In 2009, a healthy kidney designated for transplant was removed through the donor’s vagina at John Hopkins Medical Center. This type of surgery is considered less invasive because the kidney was removed through a natural opening. The more traditional surgery typically requires a 5-6 inch incision through the abdominal wall.[7]

12.  Approximately one in 5,000-7,000 female babies are born without a vagina. Known as vaginal agenesis, the condition is sometime recognized at birth, but most of the time isn’t diagnosed until puberty.[2]

Researchers believe that pubic hair evolved to become either a type of sexual ornament or as a way to trap pheromones

13.  Hair around the vaginal area grows only for three weeks. However, the hair on a person’s head can grow for up to seven years.[2]

14.  Different vaginas have different smells at different times of the day. Right out of the shower, a vagina may not smell. After running or exercise, a vagina might smell musky from all the sweat glands. A menstruating vagina may smell like iron, and when a vagina has an overgrowth of yeast, it may smell like bread. After intercourse, a vagina may smell faintly like bleach, as semen has a smell of its own. If there is an overgrowth of bacteria, the vagina may smell like fish.[5]

15. The etymology of the word “cunt” is uncertain. Some scholars believe it derives from the Latin cuneus, “wedge,” or from the Proto-Indo-European *gwen, which is the root of “queen,” and the Greek gyne, “woman.”[5]

16.  Approximately 30% of women have orgasms from vaginal intercourse. Some researchers claim that a vaginal orgasm may be a deep clitoral orgasm. Other researchers claim that vaginal and clitoral orgasms are completely different and activate different parts of the brain. The word orgasm is from the Proto-Indo-European root *wrog, meaning “to burgeon, swell with strength.”[3]

17. The vagina has over 1,000 nicknames, including “passion flower,” “pink pearl,” “ya ya,” “fish taco,” “crotch mackerel,” “cod canal,” “fish factory,” “fuzzy lap flounder,” “tuna town, “ “penis penitentiary,” “cum pocket,” “yoni,” “warehouse of warmth,” “warm slurpee,” the “V” thing,” “apple pie,” and “yum yum.”[5]
With over 1,000 nicknames, the vagina is one of the most obessed over body parts in history
18. In about 1 in 2,000 births, a girl is born with an imperforate hymen, which means there is no hole in the tissue to allow menses or discharge to pass through.[5]

19.  Gynecologists say that there are natural ways to make a vagina smell fresher without douching, including 1) eliminate pubic hair; 2) wipe with baby wipes instead of toilet paper; 3) drink cranberry juice, which is a natural antibacterial; 4) go panty free or wear cotton panties to keep the vagina aired out; 5) take probiotics to keep vaginal flora healthy; 6) avoid panty hose and tight jeans; and 7) eat a healthy, vegetable-based diet. Foods such as coffee, asparagus, beets, alcohol, broccoli, onions, garlic, and curry can affect the smell.[5]

20. Painful sex (dyspareunia) is normal after a woman loses her virginity. But if the pain does not lessen and resolve after a while, other conditions may be involved, including vulvar vestibulitis (inflammation of the vestibule), vaginismus (involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles), allergic reactions to things such as latex condoms or spermicide, and endometriosis (when lining from the uterus gets on the ovaries, bowel, and pelvic lining). As women age, lower levels of estrogen can cause atrophic vaginitis, or thinning of the vaginae.[2]

21.  Most gynecologists believe that masturbating is healthy and normal because it is safe sex, it releases stress, it is a mood booster, and it helps build pelvic floor muscles. However, there are exceptions. For example, one woman decided to masturbate with a banana. While masturbating, she put the stem side in first and lacerated her cervix, which required a hospital visit and sticthes. If a woman puts something inside, she should stick to smooth fingers, vibrators, and dildos.[2]

22. While each woman’s vagina is different, the average length of an unaroused vagina in a mature woman is between 2.5-3.0 inches wide and 3.5 inches long. The vagina can expand up to 200% during sexual intercourse and giving birth.[2]

"Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.- Betty White"

23.  The hymen is named after Hymen, the Greek goddess of marriage, and is the membrane that partially covers the vagina. The hymen serves to project the vagina before puberty. After puberty and once estrogen thickens the vaginal tissue, the hymen serves little functional purpose.[2]

24.  In some cultures, a woman’s clitoris is cut off, the labia removed, and the vagina sewn shut, with the exception of a tiny hole (to allow for discharge). Widely condemned as genital mutilation, this horrific practice is done because it is believed it will make a woman more marriageable by both decreasing sexual desire and to ensure virginity.[6]

25.  Vagina dentate is Latin for “toothed vagina” and refers to the folktales in some cultures about women whose vaginas have teeth that can bite off a penis. Symbolically, the stories are told as a cautionary tales to discourage sexual behaviors. They can also prey on castration anxiety as well as the fear that men may be diminished by a woman. However, on rare occasions, dermoid cysts (which are cysts that can contain hair, brain, thyroid, skin, and teeth) can migrate their way to the vagina, which can cause vagina denata.[5]
The most significant causal factor for vaginal prolapse is having children
26. In a condition called pelvic prolapse, a woman’s vagina can literally fall out and hang between the legs. Pelvic prolapse, however, can often be fixed.[2]

27. Some researchers believe that the G-spot (the Grafenberg spot) lies two to three inches inside the vagina, on the anterior wall (near the belly button), just under the urethra. They believe this area has a different texture than the rest of the vagina and may be a remnant prostate gland. Other researchers believe that the G-spot does not exist.[5]

28. Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by a sexually transmitted parasite. Symptoms include itching, burning, and excess discharge that is bubbly, greenish or grayish, and may smell bad. Over 3.7 million people in the United States have the disease, though only 30% have symptoms.[8]

29.  Bacterial vaginosis (BV) causes the classic fishy smell in a vagina and is sometimes associated with discharge, odor, pain, itching and burning. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. Researchers do not fully understand how a woman develops BV, but know it is associated with an imbalance of the bacteria that are normally found in a woman’s vagina. Increased risk includes having a new sex partner or multiple partners and douching. A woman cannot get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, and women who have never had sexual intercourse can also be affected.[8]

30.  While some cultures teach that vaginas are taboo or dirty places, one doctor notes that vaginas have also been celebrated through history and that “reclaiming the power and beauty is immensely liberating. Women, and the sexual distinctions that make us women, are the most powerful creative forces in the world.” Additionally, studies show that women who are more confident about their vaginas have better orgasms.[5]

31. There are several vagina symbols, including oysters, flowers, handbags, and the vesica pisces (the “vessel of the fish” that is often used as a Christ symbol).[2]

32.  The vagina is a potential space, meaning that if nothing is holding it open, it collapses, like a sock without a foot in it.[3]

33. Some companies sell heavy metal balls, such as the Ben Wa Ball, that are used to tighten vaginal muscles. The ball is simply carried around in the vagina.[2]
Squalene is a natural lubricant
34. Both sharks and vaginas have a substance called squalene. Squalene exists in shark livers and is also a natural vaginal lubricant.[2]

35.  The vagina begins at the opening of the vulva (from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- “to turn, to revolve,” and is related to walzan “to waltz”) and ends at the cervix (from the Latin cervix, “the neck, nape of the neck”).[1][10]

36.  Inside the vagina is a series of ridges produced by folds of the vagina called the vaginal rugae. They allow the vagina to extend and stretch.[5]

37. The vagina is self-cleaning and, consequently, physicians discourage douching. The vagina has colonies of mutually symbiotic flora and microorganisms that protect against dangerous microbes. Disrupting this balance can cause yeast infections, abnormal discharge, and more.[8]

38. The vagina is not an open conduit to the abdominal cavity. While tiny, microscopic sperm can swim through the opening of the cervix, a tampon will never fit. So it is impossible to lose a tampon, condom, or anything else in a vagina.[2]

39. A 27-year-old woman in 2011 was charged with possession of heroin after 54 bags of the drug were found inside her vagina.[11]

40. While rare, it is possible for a woman to develop an allergy to the proteins in semen. This condition is known as human seminal plasma protein hypersensitivity. Most cases only involve itching and swelling after sex, but in some cases it can be life threatening. Research shows that certain women are allergic to certain men but not to others.[2]
Potatoes are usually not recommended as a birth control method
41. One patient came to a gynecologist complaining that vines were coming out of her vagina. The doctor examined her and found that vines were indeed coming out. When the doctor removed the object, she found that it was a potato that had sprouted vines. The patient told the doctor that her mother told her to put a potato in her vagina to prevent pregnancy.[5]

42.  While vaginal discharge can help lubricate the vagina, it is different from the vaginal lubrication produced during sex. The lube comes from special, pea-sized ducts called Bartholin’s glands, which are located around the vaginal opening.[2]

43. Vaginas (like breasts, knees, and bottoms) can get saggy. Pregnancy, childbirth, age, hormonal changes, genetics, and years of gravity can weaken the supports of the female genital tract, which causes sagging. There are several ways to avoid sagging: 1) Kegel exercises, 2) maintaining a normal weight, 3) avoiding constipation, and 4) not smoking.[2]

44. Vaginal discharge does not contain any waste products. Instead it contains the following: fluid that seeps through the walls of the vagina, cervical mucus, uterine and tubal fluid, secretions from glands in the vulva, oil and sweat from vulvar glands, old cells from the walls of the vagina, and healthy bacteria. Vaginal discharge contains mostly salt water, mucus, and cells.[2]

45. The average amount of vaginal discharge a woman of reproductive age secretes over a period of eight hours weighs 1.55 grams (1 gram=¼ teaspoon). Every woman makes different amounts of vaginal discharge, though it varies depending on where a woman is in her cycle. A woman procures the greatest amount of discharge (1.96 grams) around the time of ovulation.[2]

46. While vulvas typically vary between women, most vaginas look alike.[2]

47. One gynecologist reported that a patient of hers regularly used her vagina as a purse. The woman would stuff it with a plastic baggie of pills, a wad of bills, a tube of lipstick, and a pen. The woman later admitted that she had been sexually abused as an eight-year-old.[5]

48.  According to one gynecologist, the most unusual vagina she had ever seen was on a woman who had come in for labor and delivery. She actually had two vaginas, with two cervixes. One cervix was eight centimeters dilated. The other was completely closed. She had had no prenatal care, but her husband had told her for years that having sex with her was like having sex with two different women.[5]

49. When one gynecologist was asked what it was like looking at vaginas all day, she replied “Really, it’s just a bunch of different haircuts.”[5]

50. Pubic hair trends have changed wildly throughout history
One patient visited a gynecologist complaining of vaginal itching and feeling like “something is moving around inside.” The examination revealed that there were two to three live maggots in her vagina. The gynecologists had no idea how the worms got into the vagina, but treated her with worming pills, cleaned the vagina, and told her not to put food products into her vagina. At her two-week checkup, the woman was free of maggots.[5]
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8:26 AM
Witch Hazel bark is a recognized herb, used widely for hemorrhoids treatment. There are several types of over-the-counter hemorrhoids remedies that contain witch hazel. 

Also known as winter bloom, hamamelis, potted alder, or hamamelis water, it a herbaceous shrub that is native to Atlantic North America. 

The bark has been used to heal ulcers of the skin, sores, and tumors. It is also considered highly effective in alleviating hemorrhoidal symptoms. 

Read on to learn more about the connection between witch hazel and hemorrhoids, and find out how it works. 

What Is Witch Hazel?
Witch hazel or Hamamelis virginiana has antiseptic properties. It is recommended for the treatment of external and internal hemorrhoids.

While witch hazel is an effective remedy for mild to moderate piles, it should be used cautiously. This is because it can cause irritation, itchiness and redness of the soft tissues of the anal canal.

Apart from its antiseptic property, witch hazel is also an astringent. Therefore, it shrinks hemorrhoids and stops any bleeding associated with the condition.

Studies have shown that it is the tannin content of witch hazel which causes the shrinking. The specific tannin responsible for the astringent property of witch hazel is hamelotannin which is synthesized in the plant from quercetin, hamelose, choline and gallic acid.

Witch Hazel Hemorrhoid Products
Apart from hemorrhoid products including the herb as one of its active ingredients, witch hazel solutions and tinctures are also commonly sold.

For external hemorrhoids, the liquid formulations can be applied using wipes. However, for internal hemorrhoids, the witch hazel tincture must be reformulated into a suppository.

By mixing one teaspoonful of witch hazel tincture with an equal measure of cocoa butter, the medication can then be formed into the shape of a suppository before freezing it. The frozen solid is then be inserted into the anus around the proximity of the hemorrhoid.

Liquid preparations of witch hazel are usually prepared with alcohol. The typical alcohol content of such solutions and tinctures is 14%.

Therefore, those whose skins are sensitive to alcohol should not use witch hazel liquid preparations. If they must, then they need to consult their doctors before starting on the hemorrhoid remedy.

How Does It Work? 
Witch hazel is known to reduce the irritation and bleeding caused by painful anal fissures. 

Witch Hazel is an astringent that comes from the leaves and bark of the hamamelis plant.

It is diluted and used as an ingredient in several plant based hemorrhoids remedies. 

The herb also contains anti-inflammatory properties.

It is believed to be one of the most commonly used natural remedies to reduce skin inflammation. 

It works by reducing the itching, swelling, and irritation caused by painful hemorrhoids.

It also helps in easing bowel movements. 

Witch Hazel can be used as a liquid astringent to calm the inflamed skin.

You can also use witch hazel wipes instead of toilet paper to reduce the discomfort.

You can also consider taking hemorrhoids supplements that contain witch hazel as an active ingredient.

What Does It Contain? 
Witch hazel bark has tannic, gallic acids, and proanthocyandins that have antiphlogistic actions.

It was used by Native Americans to reduce pain and swelling. 

The witch hazel leaf and bark extracts are known to tighten and strengthen the painful varicose veins. 

It also contains procyanadins, resin, and flavonoids that are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. 

This helps in calming the tissues and easing out the swelling to facilitate easy bowel movements. 

What Are The Side Effects? 
Some studies have shown that drinking excess tea made of witch hazel bark and leaves may cause nausea, constipation, and vomiting. 

Taking witch hazel orally is not prescribed as the high tannin content may cause kidney or liver damage. 

You must stop taking the supplement and call your doctor if you notice symptoms of nausea, yellowing of eyes, exhaustion, vomiting, dark urine, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. 

Are There Any Drug Interactions? 
No drug interactions have been found. 

How to Use? 
You can use witch hazel wipes instead of toilet paper several times during the day to reduce the swelling and irritation. 

Another effective method to heal hemorrhoids is to soak cotton balls in a witch hazel solution and apply it directly on the affected area. This will provide instant relief. 

Some of the common witch hazel hemorrhoid products that you may consider using are Venapro, Hemroid Harry, and Hem-Relief. 

You can also use the various witch hazel suppositories available to get relief from painful internal hemorrhoids.

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