Vulvar health: Navigating the nether regions

As an obstetrician/gynecologist, I spend my days examining women’s reproductive organs. My patients come to my office with a variety of concerns, some of which can be grouped under the heading of vulvar health. However, many women do not feel comfortable discussing precisely what is bothering them. And rather than use the anatomically correct word — vulva — my patients often tell me, “I have a problem down there.” My job is to figure out what they mean, explain helpful points about vulvar and vaginal health, and empower them to understand their bodies. A look at the anatomy To begin, let’s clarify and name the organs that comprise “down there.” The vulva refers to the labia majora, labia minora, and the clitoris. The vaginal introitus is the opening of the vagina. The vagina connects to the cervix, which sits at the top of the vagina and leads into the uterus. The cervix is the passage for menstrual blood flow. During childbirth, it dilates to allow babies to pass from the uterus through the vagina and into the world. Six common-sense tips for vulvovaginal health Many women have never been taught how to treat their vulva and vagina with care in order to maintain vulvovaginal health. Some of the most common issues I treat, such as vulvar itching or folliculitis (red bumps that are inflamed hair follicles), can be avoided with good care and some common-sense rules. If you’re sexually active, get screened regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Sexual Conditions Women's Health Source Type: blogs