Celebrate Your Vagina on V-Day
The letter "v" in V-Day stands for valentine, victory and vagina. It’s a global movement designed to promote female sexual health and fight against violence. One common way to celebrate V-Day is to attend a local performance of The Vagina Monologues or a viewing of the documentary Until the Violence Stops.
The best way to take care of your vagina is to truly believe that it is beautiful, natural and something to be celebrated. There are a lot of myths surrounding the true meaning of vaginal health, and here are some of them:
1) Your vagina needs to be disinfected. There are all kinds of products on the market right now that claim to cleanse your nether regions. These include douching kits, vaginal deodorant, and even suppository mints. The truth is that these products can actually throw off the pH balance of the vagina, as well as kill “good” bacteria and other natural immune responses.
2) Your vagina needs to look different. Shaving or trimming your pubic hair is one thing, but some women go so far as to think they need to bleach or dye their vagina - OR even have surgery to alter its appearance. Needless to say, these procedures are highly dangerous, not to mention the fact that the same ingredients in vaginal dyes are also used in septic tank cleansers.
3) Your vagina is too “loose.” Believe it or not, there is a surgical procedure called Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation which purports to tighten the walls of the vagina. You may have seen this “miraculous” surgery featured on hit television shows like Dr. 90210 . It’s not surprising that vaginal rejuvenation is not endorsed by The American Urogynocology Society or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The real problem with these products and services is not that they simply exist, this is the land of the free, right? The issue is that many of them are being advertised as ways for women to increase their own sexual pleasure, regardless of the fact that they consistently present a risk to an otherwise healthy, functioning female reproductive system.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment7 Comments
Amen sister, at least, that's how i feel. EmpowHER did a piece a little while ago, a video interview, with a reconstructive surgeon. He discussed vaginal reconstruction and the reasons people what the procedure done. I guess I don't care enough about the way mine looks to spend massive amounts of money to go under the knife.
February 12, 2010 - 4:27pmThis Comment
It is interesting to me that the author is so certain that vaginal tightening can have no medical benefit. Have you ever experienced the issues like Stress urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse or even uterine prolapse? Women that receive "vaginal rejuvenation" are also having other "real" issues, and VR helps address or even correct these problems for women. It's not just about looking prettier or being suckered into what anyone thinks a vagina should look like. It is truly unfortunate when someone is uninformed of the many facets and benefits of these medical procedures and can group and categorize without adequate information...
February 13, 2010 - 1:23pmI agree that women who have had multiple vaginal births and well as prolapse issues are greatly serviced by certain vaginal services and are done to enhance quality of life and relieve pain and discomfort. Women with very large vulva also find that surgery can bring enormous relief to them.
The vagina is a very important part of the body and corrective procedures are often necessary for women.
As to all the reasons of "style and beauty" and why women want bleaching done - that's beyond me as I don't understand why - it doesn't make the body any cleaner or "prettier" (at least I assume it wouldn't - I might be wrong!) but it's their money and their nether regions so not much I can say about it!
February 13, 2010 - 2:45pmI suppose a young 23 year old woman who has not given birth does not realize the real changes that can happen to the vagina after having kids, and the lack of sensation and pleasure that results. Perhaps after living a little longer and having a family you'll experience what millions of women experience too.
February 26, 2010 - 8:27am"If vaginoplasty or vaginal tightening can help correct problems associated with childbirth, that means millions of women can benefit from them. So it sounds like these procedures are not going anywhere. Especially with the number of births that take place on a yearly basis alone! My thoughts are pretty similar to Susan's, who am I to tell anyone what they should do with their body, much less their va-jay jay!! My friend is thinking of having vaginal rejuvenation due to SUI. After doing some of my own research, I was a little more understanding...
March 1, 2010 - 7:50pmI really don't know if it is the same thing - I gave birth to six children vaginally, and one of them was flaming enormous - my dear tall, tall, son!
However - don't care about what it looks like, but have huge problems with my bladder prolapsing into my vagina, and my bowel prolapsing into my vagina. None of this is fun and due to other physical problems, is becoming very difficult to cope with. I am on a waiting list to have both of these prolapses corrected via a tightening/supporting of the vaginal walls - it won't make any difference to my sex life as I am now celibate [a little too late?] but it will I hope help me with ordinary daily functions.
Though this may not be the same operation?
March 27, 2010 - 3:19amThis is not the same procedure, Crowsister. And congrats on the six kids!
Here is what you are considering : http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/cystocelerectocele#definition
Our Prolapse page should really help you and good for you for checking out your options. I think it's less that no-one sees your business down there, I think it's more that these conditions are painful and irritating and really interfere with the quality of one's life. If that's the case, then sign me up for all the options!
March 27, 2010 - 5:46am