Embracing Your V
I remember always being the friend to try something new, excitedly explaining to my friends how I got a menstrual cup and people looking at me like I had lost my mind. In middle and high school we were taught that cycles and sometimes your vagina by association was gross. Your tampons and pads were smuggled in your sleeves when you went to the bathroom, that nair or razor incident that had you wishing you wouldv’e just asked your mom for help and of course wondering if your vagina looked, smelled and felt ok based on what we heard and saw in the media.
Loving your vagina is a journey FOREAL, one that has as much trial and error sometimes as finding your perfect skincare routine and one that can be filled with expensive doctor visits and persistent problems. There’s light at the end of the tunnel though! A combination of holistic and chemical, internal and external routines are my favorite way to love on my cooch. Since I love us and I love you I’m sharing some of the things that have helped me the most on my journey.
Tip #1: Invest in a good probiotic.
The cranberry pills aren’t gonna cut it sorry. One of the best investments of made not only for my vagina but for my overall health has been investing in a great daily probiotic. Studies show that probiotics with the strains L. rhamnosus GR-1. and L. reuteri RC-14 are the most effective. If you have money to spend there are companies that can test your vaginal microbiome and get you an even more specific look at which strains you may need.
Tip #2: Check your period products.
I’m not unconvinced that the menstrual cup isn’t one of the best inventions ever. Using the cup allowed me to really get hands on (ha) with my period. I can see the different colors during my cycle, determine how much I’m bleeding and dont have to worry about constantly changing a pad or tampon (hello money saver). If a cup isnt for you check out menstrual discs or organic tampons and pads. Make sure to double check ingredients to ensure your period products are actually helpful and not just greenwashed.
Tip #3: Watch your diet.
For a hot minute I tried to lie to myself. “I can eat whatever I want with however much sugar I want” was what I said knowing every time I had too much soda or processed sugar I could feel the discomfort brewing. Watching my sugar intake a long with the help of a suppository every once in a while was the easiest way to keep myself in check.
Tip #4: Routines are self love.
Like anything else on your body your vagina can thrive with routine, whether its a self love routine like a yoni steam each month, a hair removal and exfoliation routine or even a skincare routine for down unda ( don’t sleep on gentle face washes as pubic bone/vulva wash) routines and consistency is where you’ll find yourself thriving.
