7 Things That Most Women Aren’t Taught About Their Own Bodies
7 Things That Most Women Aren’t Taught About Their Own Bodies
Most of us have experienced some form of sex education at some point in our lives, and, failing that, have managed to figure out the workings of a sexual relationship somehow. But even the most comprehensive lesson on women’s sexual health leaves most of us lacking in information about our own bodies.
For example, did you know that around 45% of women in the UK didn’t know that you don’t pee from your vagina? Nearly half of the women surveyed didn’t realise that we have an whole nother outlet down there!
With that in mind, here are 7 more things that you probably don’t know about your own body.
1. It is normal for your breasts to be different sizes
No two breasts are the same, unless they’ve been surgically enhanced with a perfect symmetry guarantee, if that is even a thing. One is usually slightly bigger, or maybe a little higher up than the other and that is absolutely normal. Like your eyebrows, your boobs are sisters, not twins. Hell, sometimes they might be more like cousins, but as long as they are from the same family, they good.
Fun fact! Your bigger breast might be a better milk-producer than her little sister!
2. There will be discharge, a lot of it normal
Women can have a lot of discharge, enough for your underwear to feel wet sometimes. White, clear and watery, clear and stretchy like a massive booger when ovulating, brown or bloody after a period, it’s all normal. Yellow or green – not so much. Please see your GP if your discharge is thick, chunky, or accompanied by an unpleasant smell.
Fun fact! Your vaginal discharge can be acidic enough to bleach your underwear! Also completely normal! Vaginas are cool.
3. Labias come in all different colours and sizes
If there is one message that we would like everyone to take from this article, it is that porn is not educational and bears no resemblance to what sex and humans are like in reality. Labias are incredibly varied in all aspects, from colours ranging from pink to brown to bluish grey, and in a multitude of sizes and shapes. There is no one “industry standard” in real life and porn actresses’ vulvas are super atypical.If you have a partner that doesn’t like the vulva you own, fucking off is always an option.
You can get an insight into the vast array of various vulvas by checking out the art installation The Great Wall of Vagina or this kinda NSFW (on account of, you know, lots of pictures of vulvas) photography essay Me and My Vulva.
Fun Fact! Your vulva will change as you get older, so prepare for grey hair, sagging and less blood flow to the area resulting in a bluish tinge.
4. Good news, you have a massive clitoris!
We all do! Our clits are big, wishbone-shaped organs that wrap around our vaginas and flare up to nine centimetres into the pelvis. Not just some little pea-shaped nub that we first thought.
You get a pass for not knowing this one, because they only figured it out over the last ten years or so. Which is typical.
Fun fact! Rocking in at 8,000 nerve endings, the clitoris contains double that than in the glans of a penis. Sucks to suck, fellas.
5. You can ask for a smaller speculum
Did you know that they make them in a whole bunch of sizes? Why didn’t they tell us? Why don’t we ask for a smaller one if we are uncomfortable with the huge one they always seem to grab first?
Fun fact! There is absolutely nothing fun about a speculum.
6. Painful periods are not normal
Pain is subjective, and what might be painful for one person might be a breeze for another, but how can we tell? How do we know that our pain isn’t the same as someone else’s? We are taught that periods come with painful cramps and just accept it. But that doesn’t make it normal.
You should still be able to do light exercise on your period without too much discomfort. If you are suffering from painful periods that stop you from functioning normally, it could be a sign of endometriosis and you should get checked out.
Fun fact! Your periods become heavier and continue for longer when it’s cold. Another excuse to fly to Queensland for a monthly getaway!
7. Your vulva is skin and can have skin problems
Have you felt little bumps and pimples on your labia? All of us get them from time to time because, and this is shocking news, I know, our vulvas are made of skin and is susceptible to skin conditions that we might have on other areas of our bodies. Eczema, psoriasis, flaking skin, ingrown hairs, pimples, bumps, boils, you name it. If you can get it on your leg or on your eye, you can get it on your lady bits too. Totally normal, but you might want to check with your GP if you are concerned.
Fun fact! Lots of products designed for skin care are not appropriate for your ladybits! Your vagina does not need to be washed as she’s got her own cleaning schedule underway down there. You can gently wash your vulva with warm water, maybe with a mild soap, too. Anything else is uneccessary and possibly harmful.
Jill Slater
Jill is a busy wife and mother of four young children. She loves nothing more than making people giggle, and loves to settle in with a glass of wine (or four) and wander about the internet. Feel free to follow her to see all the cool stuff she finds!
