Syd is going through one of those classic little kids phases at the moment, where his most used words are poo, wee and especially willy. I was chatting to one of the other Mums at school about his new favourite word, and we got onto how ‘willy’ is so acceptable that nobody would really look twice at a small boy saying it, but there really isn’t a similarly accepted name for girls bits. Fanny, which on face value should be as inoffensive as willy, both being based on names and all, just isn’t as culturally acceptable. She has settled on Foo-Foo with her little girl, and a quick straw poll of other parents came up with various euphemisms being deployed – twinkles and daisies and all manner of pretty but non-specific terminology.
Orchid image via Shutterstock
When we cannot even decide on a society wide acceptable name to call ‘our bits’ in public, is it any wonder that many of us still feel uncomfortable discussing our intimate health? And even that term, intimate health, is a bit euphemistic isn’t it! I have to say that having had three children and the associated rummaging that goes along with pregnancy and child-birth, I am more comfortable discussing my vagina than I was previously, but still it’s hardly a conversation for the bus is it?
So how much do I know about looking after my vaginal health? Well – I know that you should avoid washing your intimate area with harsh soaps and cleansers – they can do more harm than good when it comes to protecting the natural PH balance and bacteria needed for good vaginal health. And I know you can’t treat thrush with a strawberry fromage frais. (Don’t ask.)
It isn’t much knowledge really is it? I have been generally quite lucky in that I have only had cystitis and thrush a couple of times each, unlike some of my friends who have suffered repeatedly. Both were really unpleasant and painful, but thankfully a trip to the doctors the first time soon got me treated and feeling well – and the second time around I knew the symptoms and managed to treat with over the counter products before things got too bad.
Canesten have recently re-launched their website to provide a wealth of information to help you really take charge of your own intimate health (though do always consult a healthcare professional if you are unsure of your symptoms or are in a lot of pain.) Not only do they talk you through their range of products designed to take care of your intimate areas, the website also includes a wide range of feminine hygiene information from Canesten. There is a wealth of information on both prevention and treatment of the most common problems women face – thrush, cystitis, vaginitis is and vaginal dryness. There is a helpful symptom checker too, so you can reassure yourself any self-diagnosis is on the right track.
So how can we get more comfortable with our intimate health?
- We can educate ourselves about how to stay healthy and the common problems and solutions.
- We can remember that to health care professionals the word vagina is no more shocking than the word elbow. They are not embarrassed, nor should we be.
- We can proudly shout in public that we have vaginas and we are not ashamed of them.
Well. Maybe that last one is going a little far, but really, I am a grown woman – I don’t have a ‘daisy’ or a ‘twinkle’ and I don’t want to be like my Nan and mutter about ‘down there’ under my breath. Call a spade a spade and the parts of your body by their proper name, and failing that, I rather like fanny – wouldn’t it be lovely if it became as every day as willy!
Canesten is committed to helping women on their life journey, reassuring them with knowledge and innovative solutions to keep them in control of their intimate health. So, let’s forget crossed legs, worried glances, frantic symptom searching and embarrassing conversations. Now it’s time for you to get comfortable.
Canesten want to know what would make you feel more comfortable about discussing your intimate health, let me know by answering in the rafflecopter box below (don’t worry, you can choose to answer in the rafflecopter box which wont be shown publicly) and be in with a chance to win a £25 John Lewis voucher.
Love Miss Cisco XXX
This prize draw is open to UK residents aged 18 and over and closes at midnight on 25/03/2016. Please read the full terms and conditions here
This post has been supported by Canesten,
but all thoughts are my own.
If you prefer to speak to a female nurse/doctor then ask. Remember they hear the same complaints and worries nearly every day so don’t feel embarrassed and fear you are the only one to suffer because you are certainly not!
not good bottling all better to talk
Tallk to a nurse
Relax and talk to someone who you can talk about anything to and trust to make it easier
Reassure yourself that what you’re saying won’t be new. They’re trained and that’s what they’re there for
Just don’t discuss it on “Embarrassing bodies” 😉
Ever since I was a child I’ve been taught that these things are all very private and shouldn’t openly be discussed. It’s sad that it’s that way for most people too and that we can’t even agree on what to call our private bits in public!
Realising that the doctor will have heard it all before!
Just to relax about it, keep telling yurself, its nothing they haven’t seen or heard before x
Relax, take a deep breath, and then go for it, better to long term ,
Just remember doctor do this every day.
just get it all off your chest we are all the same with same problems
its always better to talk than bottling things up at the end of the day we pretty much have the same issues
Ask for a female nurse or doctor and remember they’re used to dealing with these sorts of things.
We don’t have any problem about this, sons talk to me about anything and I would talk to them, it shouldn’t be a big issue
Really think about why you feel embarrassed, why you may use silly terms for your anatomy – in short unpack all that nonsense, deprogram and things will be far easier.
Ask to speak to a female doctor if you prefer. If you have a hospital appointment, it’s worth checking this will be available before you go.
Talk to some you trust and try not to worry about being emberrased
be confident ,,love yourself …bring a friend
Remember that it has all been seen and heard of before.
Just take a deep breath and say it, doctors have always heard much worse.
Just try and remember everybody is built the same x
With two daughters and two sons we have regular verbal flinging about of our bits! Willy and winky (for my little boy) but you’re right – we don’t really call our bits anything. Foof is one I think! I am giggling now! How silly! Kaz x
Don’t be afraid to laugh! We all have girly bits…and they are funny.
I think getting to know your Doctor or Chemist is a good step.
i prefer to speak to a female doctor/nurse
try to be serious and to the point
You can join serious online forums, or have a cup of tea and a chat with close friends, what ever it is, as soon as you start speaking, I promise you will feel better just for getting it off your chest 🙂
talk a deep breath, relax and talk to someone your comfortable talking too
talk to a medical pro like a nurse or doctor
Talk about anonymously in a chat room with other women experiencing the same feelings, before going to a female nurse about it
Speak to a health professional about it, they’ll have seen and heard it all before so keep reminding yourself of that.
just think that you are not the only one who has embarrassing problems
Oh everyone has a private area. No point being squeamish about it all!
See a female doctor and remember they deal with this kind of thing every day x
Just say it – the doctor does this all day, every day so would have heard it many times already
We are all the same, and nothing is too embarrassing, a problem shared is a problem halved
Just remember you’re not the only one who has to deal with it and it’s totally normal!
Write everything down so if you start to become embarrassed you can show the doctor/nurse your notes z
Remembering that its normal to sometimes have intimate health issues, noone is judging you and make sure you get an appointment with someone you feel relaxed and comfortable with (sometimes a nurse may be more approachable than a GP)
I always tell myself ‘ everyone either has a vagina or a penis’ so why be shy
If you feel embarrassed do some research on the internet first, you will see that you are not alone. Chat forums are better for this as you can scare yourself silly on medical sites.
Remember that you’re not the only one with the problem and won’t be the last to have the same problem
Honesty is the best policy.
We all have the same problems – there is nothing to be embarassed about
Use humour, as it lightens the mood considerably
The internet is a wealth of knowledge on these matter and if u are not happy talking to a friend or relative speak to your doctor
I would just speak to a doctor you are comfortable with
Just think we all are the same with the same issues at some time in our lives
Just remember that everybody’s body sometimes does something that’s embarrassing and that whatever your problem is will just be “normal” to someone else who’s suffered
I personally dont have any issues discussing intimate problem but thats down to my mum being very open and honest with me as i grew up. I never felt any shame or embarrassment. My mum grew up in a strict catholic family and hated being made to feel ashamed of her body. She grew up to be a nurse and has always shown me the best way to understand is to talk about things. We talked about things together and i never felt i should hide anything and still dont
remember that every one is human and your never the only one .x
Don’t worry . When speaking to a health professional we have heard everything before and will not be the first. It is better to be in the know than ignore potential problems .
There is nothing to feel embarrassed about, we are all human
Doctors and nurses have seen and heard it all before, everyone has genitalia so there’s nothing to be embarrassed of! Everything you say to them will help you in the long run 🙂
Be completely open and honest 🙂
I speak very frankly then think of other things while enduring.
Get straight to the point. The more complicated you make things the more flustered you become
You just have to bite the bullet. We’re all the same after all
Talk to a family member.
Remember gps etc have seen and heard it all before
Always ask for a female nurse/doctor if you don’t feel comfortable.
Try not to be embarrassed about talking to health professionals about intimate health as they’ve heard and seen it all before and are there to help x
not to feel embarrassed as all woman have the same bits and most have can problems
Try and remember that health professionals see and deal with intimate problems all the time. If you feel more comfortable you are more than within your rights to ask for a same sex doctor/nurse or a specific health professional. I often find it easy to write down all my issues too as sometimes I can get a little flustered when trying to remember everything.
Don’t think too much bout what you re discussing, and remember everyone is the same
Talk to someone you feel comfortable with and if talking to a medical professional remember they’re trained to deal with sensitive issues so there’s no need to feel embarassed
Talk to a professional in your topic area who you can talk to in confidence and trust.
be open and honest, they have heard it all before
Talk to someone you feel comfortable with and who put you at ease
Just accept that they are there to help and be honest
Just be open and remember that everyone has the same parts and different issues and their is nothing to be shy about
Relax, realise they are there to help and deal with all issues everyday.