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Your Vagina Is Self-Cleaning!

You know why docs (and we here at Gurl!) tell you pretty often not to douche or use weird washes down there? Because, like an awesome roommate after a party, your vag cleans up on its own without your help. Just plain old soap and water on the outside of it in the shower is enough--you can let everything else handle itself.

Source: ShutterStock

You've Got A Lot Of Nerve Endings Down There.

Think guys have it the best? Think again. Your clitoris--which is one of the tiniest parts of you down there, though it does engorge when you're turned on--that tiny little button? That has 8,000 nerve endings. The whole penis? Only has 4,000. Score one for the gals!

Source: ShutterStock

Don't Hate On Crotch Sweat!

While it may feel uncomfortable when it happens, sweating down there actually saves you from feeling truly awful. Sweat from your vulva and various other places down there keeps you from feeling too much heat and friction--yikes! So if you need to, just run the restroom, wipe off, change undies if necessary and thank Mother Nature for not making it worse.

Source: ShutterStock

You Don't Look As Different As You Think!

Your labia can all look different, and so can your vulvas. But in terms of actual vaginas--as in the birth canal? Most of us look the same, so no need to feel like a special snowflake or a freak of nature down there.

Source: ShutterStock

Your Pubes & Natural Scent Have A Purpose!

Paranoid about your pubes? Stressing over your scent? Don't. Experts say that pubic hair is actually evolution's way of making you more attractive: It traps scents, odors and pheromones that lure partners to you on an instinctual level. Of course, if you want to wax or shave to feel more confident, that's your prerogative--just know that you don't need to.

Source: ShutterStock

You're Not Going To Get Loose!

You know the myth that if you have sex too much, your vagina's gonna loosen up? And you'll become a "loose woman?" Yeah, it's a myth for a reason: It ain't true. Your vagina's elastic, like a rubber band. You know how when you have a rubber band and stretch it how it snaps back into place? Same idea, so don't let anyone slut shame you into thinking differently. One exception, though? You may loosen up temporarily after childbirth--but you're probably not going to have to worry about that for a while anyway.

Source: ShutterStock

It's Powerful--And The Name Reflects That!

Horny ninjas, rejoice! The word "vagina" comes from a Latin word that means "sword sheath."

Source: ShutterStock

Your Vagina And Jaws Have Something In Common.

No, this isn't a "vagina dentata" (vagina with teeth) joke. Both sharks and our lil' old vaginas contain "squalene." Squalene exists in shark livers and is also a natural vaginal lubricant for us land lubbers. Do you feel a little more dangerous now?

Source: ShutterStock

Were you surprised by any of these crazy and interesting facts about your vagina? Tell us in the comments!

Don’t put these in your vagina!

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Source: ShutterStock

My best friend was really freaked out about getting her first Brazilian wax. Like, really, really freaked out. After she called me crying and shrieking before her appointment, I went with her to sort of coach her through it (but yes, I averted my eyes).

If you’re considering getting a Brazilian wax, here’s what you should know before making an appointment and frantically taking your BFF away from a SpongeBob marathon. (And remember: What you do with your hair down there is your business, no one else’s. If you want to rock a full bush, a zigzag, whatever–there’s no right way to look down there, so don’t think you need a Brazilian wax ever. This is just for people who prefer that!)

A Brazilian wax isn’t as embarrassing as you think it will be.
Getting naked in front of anyone is nerve wracking. I get it! I feel it! I know! But I promise, your waxer couldn’t care less what you look like bare bottomed. For her, it’s just business. She’s not judging your situation down there–it’s just a job. She sees this all day, so nothing is going to phase her. Seriously. She doesn’t care!

You can let her know how much you want to take off.
Want to go all bare down there? Have a landing strip? Your boyfriend’s initials? Just ask. (For the record, I don’t recommend the last one. It would probably freak him out, and it sort of reminds me a little of this. But whatever floats your boat!)

If your hair is long, you should probably trim it.
If your hair down there is long enough to curl or, God willing, braid, trim it–but don’t shave it–before you go. It has to be long enough for the wax to grip, but not too long that there’s a lot of it to pull. It’s the yanking of long hair that hurts the most! Think of cutting it down to about 1/4 inch, or at least just trimming whatever makes your undies poof out.

You can pop a pain reliever before you go.
Try taking a pain reliever with acetaminophen about half an hour before your appointment. It’ll make it hurt less when you go. But be sure whatever you take doesn’t have aspirin in it, which can thin your blood and make you more likely to bleed after your Brazilian wax.

The areas you think will hurt the most actually don’t hurt that much.
The most painful part of a Brazilian wax isn’t the area totally down there or even around the back. It’s the area right near your pubic bone that is usually the least comfortable.

A Brazilian wax doesn’t tickle, but it doesn’t hurt as badly as you think it will.
I may be a bad person to ask because I have an absurdly high tolerance for physical pain, but the general consensus–not just from me–is that a Brazilian wax doesn’t hurt quite as much as everyone assumes. That said, if you can take a deep breath and relax, you’ll keep your muscles from tensing up, which can make it hurt more than it needs to.

You may still get ingrown hairs after a Brazilian wax, but they’re treatable.
But you’ll still have fewer of them than if you’d shaved down there. You can remedy that with serums or lotions that have tea tree oil, glycolic acid or salicylic acid–but be sure you’re only using them on the outside of your pubic area and not inside your vagina!

Wear cotton skivvies and loose pants.
They’re a lot less likely to cause irritation after a Brazilian wax!

You may not want to have sex immediately after a Brazilian wax.
Depending on how your skin reacts to the wax experience, you may not want to get laid too soon after getting a Brazilian. Trust your judgment and don’t be afraid to wait a day or two if you still feel sensitive!

Have you ever had a Brazilian wax? How do you prep for a Brazilian wax? Have you ever had a weird experience with a Brazilian wax? Tell us in the comments!

Do you think your guy really wants you to get a Brazilian wax? Find out!

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Source: Shutterstock

Nads surveyed about 1,000 guys to find out what they really thought about different styles of waxing. A shocking 43% said they like women to be “as natural as possible but with a ‘Bermuda triangle’ – trimmed hair and waxed edges leaving no bikini hair overspill.”

17% said they like a Brazilian with a landing strip and only 12% said they like us totally bare. Some men do appreciate little surprises like a different shape, but the majority wanted there to be something down there.

I don’t know why this is so surprising to me, but it is. I mean, if I think about it, every guy I’ve dated or been with hasn’t really cared one way or another. But I always thought they cared about it.

Personally, I was comforted with that guy who didn’t care about my lack of wax, but I guess I thought it was more of an in the moment thing. Having like actual proof from a poll makes the whole thing seem more real.

We’ve been so caught up in what guys think only to find out that it’s not really a big deal to them. It’s just such a big deal to us in our heads.

The bottom line is that whatever you decide to do down there is up to you. If you want to wax, then wax. If you want to shave, go right ahead. If you don’t want to do anything, great! As long as you’re happy with how everything is, your guy will be happy too.

What do you think about this poll? Does it make you feel better? Are you going to stop waxing or shaving based on this? Tell me in the comments!
 

If you do want to get rid of your body hair, check out the complete guide

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Shaving pubic hair is trickier than shaving your legs–but if you use a razor like this one, you’ll have safer and better results than if you use a cheap one. | Source: ShutterStock

As if your business down there weren’t stressful enough, now shaving pubic hair has been linked to a whole bunch of injuries. Scary!

Emergency rooms have seen a huge rise in pubic hair removal-related injuries, and most of them are from razors. 88 percent of people who hurt themselves removing their pubic hair did so while shaving, with scissor accidents down there coming in at roughly 22 percent of injuries, while hot wax caused 1.4 percent. And think of it this way: These are just emergency room cases that have been reported. Chances are there are a lot more accidents and injuries from shaving pubic hair, trimming or waxing it than people are owning up to, because, well, that’s a sort of embarrassing thing to explain to your doc.

The scariest part? A big chunk of those injuries were in girls under 18. Yikes! To avoid any trips to the ER that you’ll have to awkwardly explain to your doc and your dad, here are tips for shaving pubic hair to avoid getting hurt:

Always use shaving cream or gel.
It’ll help your razor glide more smoothly and prevent ingrown hairs.

Make sure you have a quality razor.
You’ll want one with multiple blades and a pivoting head to prevent nicks and cuts. You know how much those hurt when you get them on your ankles? Think that pain times about a hundred when it’s on your lady bits.

Trim it first if you can.
Some bikini razors will come with a trimmer. Use that or scissors first before shaving to get the hair as short as possible so you’ll have less to do later.

Do it in the shower or bath.
Soaking for about five to 10 minutes in warm water will soften the hair and make it easier to shave off. Soaking in the shower may be easier, because you can prop your legs up and may have more visibility.

Don’t go against the grain.
When shaving your pubic hair, go in the direction the hair grows first to avoid irritation. Only go in the opposite direction if that fails–and don’t go over the same section more than two or three times, or you risk cuts and irritation.

Be sure to rinse your blade in between strokes.
If it’s clogged with hair, it won’t work well!

Don’t shave during your period.
Not only does that sound super messy, but you’re also more sensitive to pain.

Get your hands on some hydrocortisone.
Shaving your pubic hair can make you itchy down there. This’ll prevent it!

Have you ever had a mishap shaving pubic hair? Do you wax or shave pubic hair? Have you ever gotten hurt shaving pubic hair? Tell us in the comments!

Guys are at risk of injuries shaving pubic hair, too!

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

This is me every, single month! | Source: ShutterStock

If you don’t know, PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome and is a series of super unpleasant symptoms that can pop up any time about two weeks before to two days after your period hits. Symptoms can range from headaches to bloating to my general the-sky-is-falling-down-on-me feelings.

After years of suffering and not getting very far with the medical help my doctor offered, I took matters into my own hands. I put a question out to my girls on Facebook asking for PMS cures. I got responses like “Just kill someone, you’ll feel better,” and “Go underwater and scream.” But the majority of my friends suggested one solution: raw cacao nibs.

What’s that? You want me to eat chocolate AND feel better? Sign this girl up. I bought a huge bag of raw unsweetened cacao nibs and shoved a handful in my mouth. Have you ever eaten unsweetened cacao? Well, don’t because it is so gross. I started putting the nibs in smoothies to mask the taste. And then I tried sweetened nibs. But still, for me, they didn’t make any difference in my PMS.

After the nibs, I tried teas, expensive herbal pills and asked every woman I knew (and some I didn’t) about their PMS cures. Finally, I found an angel at Whole Foods who handed me an adorable little metal container labeled Oona. She explained that it’s an herbal pill made from chaste tree and black cohosh and it’s supposed to help balance your hormones.

I popped the first pill before I even got to the register. I started taking them every day with breakfast. If I forgot, my boyfriend remembered. (Sometimes PMS can be worse for those around us than for us!) After a few weeks, Oona and I had a routine.

That first month, not much changed. I was still sensitive and still doubting myself during PMS time. But some of the bite was gone. I was more quietly depressed, if that makes sense.

The next month, things had taken a great turn. While normally I get an overwhelming wave of emotion, I was just a bit bummed out. I wasn’t totally miserable and I was way kinder to myself.

My third month in, which is when the packet tells you it should really start to work, I got my period without really noticing my PMS at all.

I am writing this right smack in the middle of when I should be PMSing. I’m not going to say all the symptoms are gone. I still feel a bit vulnerable and doubtful of myself, but these symptoms are very manageable now. What used to be a PMS tornado is now a PMS drizzle.

All I can say is HALLELLUJAH!

Everyone’s body is different, so I can’t tell you exactly what would help your PMS and you should check in with your doctor before taking any new pills or meds. But I wanted to let you know that there are cures out there.

Do you have PMS? Ever tried to cure yours? What makes you feel better? Let me know in the comments.

Where are the stars of Boy Meets World now? We have the answer!

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That was my face when I read these myths. Source: Shutterstock

And then we have all these rumors about things we can and can’t do during our period. Some super common ones are that you can’t get pregnant if you have sex on your period. False, you totally can. It’s rare, but it happens. You can also go swimming and your tampon will not absorb a bunch of water and make you sink. And exercising helps your cramps so you can stop using that as an excuse!

But there are some way stranger myths about menstruation floating around and I just had to share them with y’all!

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Bears will attack you

Nope, bears can't smell your blood. So yes you can go camping on your period without fear that you'll get ravaged by bears. But you probs shouldn't try to play with them just as a general safety rule.

Source: Shutterstock

Sharks will attack you too

Just like bears, sharks will not attack you when you're on your period. Really. They might attack you because you look tasty though so be careful when dealing with large oceanic carnivores as a life tip.

Source: Shutterstock

Avoid cold food and bare feet

Rumor has it that cold food and bare feet will make your cramps worse. Don't worry it's not true so...run rampant barefoot while eating ice cream all you want!

Source: Shutterstock

Your vag will flip while sleeping

What the what? No your vagina will not flip upside down when you sleep if you're on your period. I don't even know what that means.

Source: Shutterstock

You can't wash your hair

I don't know who started this, but it's not true. You can totally wash your hair on your period. And you totally should.

Source: Shutterstock

What’s your favorite period myth? Are there any you thought were true? Tell me in the comments!

What do you do if you missed your period but you don’t have sex?

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Yikes! This should not be your sex face. | ShutterStock

Sex isn’t something new for me, but lately it’s been painful. Why could this be happening?

ChickRx expert Dr. Kathy McMahon, Clinical Psychologist & Diplomate of Sex Therapy says:

Thanks for writing in. And sorry that sex has been painful for you recently. Sex is something that should be pleasurable, so let’s try and figure out what’s going on and get to the bottom of this sex pain.

I can think of three reasons sex could suddenly start to hurt.

The first cause is what some would call a “bruised vulva.” Your vulva, the outer part of your genitals, can get bruised just like any other part of your body. This can happen from a number of causes–like hitting a hard bump when you’re on a bike or even from sex. The nerves and muscle of your vulva tissue get bruised, but you might not notice right away. Sexual arousal and penetration could cause swelling, which would would irritate your injury and make the bruise more sensitive. The solution here is time. A vulva bruise will heal, just like any other bruise. You might just want to take a break from sex until it does.

The second issue you might be facing is called vulvodynia, which is a burning in your genital region. There are many causes and possible cures for vulvodynia. The issue that I’ve come across most regularly is actually caused by particularly alkaline urine, which basically means the acid levels in the urine are off. The urine splashes up from toileting and creates irritation. One woman I worked with found that taking 1 to 2 grams of calcium ascorbate (a form of Vitamin C) help ease her pain. If you think you could have vulvodynia, I’d recommend going to a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Another potential reason is that some women have a hymen that is particularly thick and tough. This will make her first intercourse painful. Following this, there is often little or no pain for quite some time. Then, about a year afterward, the remaining tissue of the now broken hymen gets scarred from repeated intercourse, and eventually stops stretching. This scar tissue could be what’s causing the pain. Again, the fix for this involves going to the doctor for a closer look.

I know that I said it a few times above, but please check in with a doctor. He or she will be able to diagnose you and get you back on the path to pleasurable, pain-free sex!

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Skipping sex ex could lead to sex addiction.

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Brazilian waxing for men is on the rise. Among other things. | Source: ShutterStock

A new study says that about 73 percent of guys wax their nether regions! Also fun? One in ten guys somehow–they didn’t specify whether through waxing, shaving, or something else–gets rid of hair on his tush, too.

Waxing for men has taken off in part because of shows like Jersey Shore (RIP!). Dudes are sporting smoother skin than ever, and regardless of whether you find waxing for men to be weird or hot, we’re sort of happy that it’s happening. Because it means that guys are going through a lot of the same torture-like nonsense that they expect us to do. (Now they just have to feel pressured to bleach their privates, get plastic surgery on them, and maybe wear heels.)

Guys aren’t just getting Brazilian waxes on their butts and full-frontal regions. Dudes are also waxing their eyebrows (be careful, boys–don’t overdo it!), chests (ouch!), back (that sounds tough), nose (ow!), and ears (yikes!). Less than one third of guys go au naturale and let it all hang out, letting their furry flags fly.

Another trend that’s a little weirder? You’ve probably heard of vajazzling. Well, guys have their own version now: Pejazzling. Yup, guys are applying crystals to their freshly waxed penises for whatever reason. And we think that part’s a little unsound. Think about the logistics: You could, ostensibly, get a sequin or crystal fall off where you really don’t want it. Yikes!

Do you think waxing for guys is cool or do you prefer your guys a little hairier? Would you ever get with a guy who was into pejazzling? Tell us in the comments!

Wait–these people think girls put crystals WHERE?

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Avoid post-sex stress by using a condom. | Source: ShutterStock

Can I time when I have unprotected sex around my cycle to avoid pregnancy?

ChickRx expert Dr. Mandi Beman, Ob/Gyn says:

The birth control method of timing sex around your ovulation cycle to avoid pregnancy is often called the rhythm method.

And theoretically, yes, you can time unprotected sex around your cycle to avoid pregnancy. In reality, if you are truly trying to prevent pregnancy I would NOT use the rhythm method.

Of every 100 women who use this type of birth control method, up to 24 will become pregnant in first year, according to Planned Parenthood! That’s so, so many and a huge risk to take.

There are a few reasons that the rhythm method just doesn’t work as effective birth control. Most women’s fertile time varies month to month. So, even if you’re keeping super careful track of your ovulation cycle, you could have it totally wrong just because you’re having an off month. It’s really difficult to know when to time intercourse.

Also, sperm can live in the vagina for as many as 5 days after intercourse. Even if you timed the sex right, sperm could be making their way to your eggs five days after your non-fertile time…when you’re very, very fertile.

I’d suggest talking to your doctor about other birth control methods that are more effective, like the pill.

Also, you girls are smart enough to know this and I probably don’t have to remind you, but birth control methods like the pill or rhythm method (even when it works) don’t protect against any STDs. You should wear a condom any and every time you have sex.

More from ChickRx:
Does the pill have any side effects?

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

How do you get perfectly kissable lips?

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Wait, I have muscles down there? | Source: ShutterStock

Are Kegels really something I should be doing? And, um, what are they?

ChickRx expert Evelyn Resh, Certified Sexuality Counselor and Nurse/Midwife says:

Kegels are a specific exercise to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor, which is a hammock-like group of muscles underneath your genitals and throughout your boney pelvis. These muscles hold up your vagina, uterus and bladder.

The best way to learn Kegels is to sit on the toilet and start peeing and then stop your flow of urine before you’re completely done. You do this by pulling up and contracting the muscles in your vagina and holding onto that contraction for 2-5 seconds. Then relax the muscles completely and finish peeing. Remember, this is the way to learn the exercise but you don’t have to actually do Kegels when you pee. In fact, Kegel exercises can be done any time and in any position.

The value of the exercise is that it helps prevent weakening on the muscles that support your pelvic organs. Doing Kegels improves muscle strength and blood circulation throughout the pelvis. In a perfect world, adult women would do these exercises daily in 2 sets of 15. But the fact is that despite their proven benefits, few women are diligent about Kegels. For teen gals, Kegel exercises are not as important as they are for woman after they’ve had a baby or after 40.

In your teens, your muscles tone is strong. But after childbirth and the longer we spend defying gravity by standing up, these muscles weaken. If I were you, I would learn how to do Kegel exercises, practice them and try to develop the routine of doing them. But if you don’t, don’t feel bad or worried. I guarantee you that someone later in life will suggest them to you and you can catch-up then.

More from ChickRx:
Is there a way to make orgasms even better?

Got more questions? Post them in the comments below or head on over to ChickRx.com.

Why I was afraid to masturbate.

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