Vaginal & Reproductive Health | Gynecologist Advice

“How can you tell the difference between a broken hymen and a first menstrual cycle? ”

The hymen is a very thin tissue that stretches across the opening of the vagina and if broken, the bleeding will often be minimal and usually bright red in color. In comparison, the blood from your...

9

Question:

“What do I do about cuts in my area? Do I put Neosporin on them? What do I do when they hurt/ bleed?”

Having nicked myself when shaving (more than a few times), I know having a cut down there is absolutely no fun! To treat cuts caused by shaving, I keep the area clean by washing twice a day, and to...

28

Question:

“I have hair on the inside of my vagina, like on the flaps. How do I get it out?”

There are a few different hair removal options. There is trimming, waxing or shaving. There is even doing nothing at all to it. In my opinion, there is no rule to how you should keep your pubic hair....

6

Question:

“I've had my period for a month, and the blood is bright red. My doc says it's nothing to worry about. They found a complex cyst the size of my ovary, and my endometrium is thickened. What does this all mean? I can't get a straight answer out of my doc.”

It sounds like you need a new doctor! Even though it's a healthcare professional's job to help us figure out complex medical issues, it's important to find a person you trust and who will take the...

2

Question:

“How do you know your hymen is broken if you have never gone to the gyno (I'm still a virgin)?”

Take a look for yourself — like any other part of your body, you’re allowed to look at it! (You might need a hand mirror.) The hymen is located just about a half-inch inside the vagina. It’s a thin...

27

Question:

“Why does my vagina get itchy everywhere when I'm on my period?”

Us chicks sure like to multitask! So much so that even our bodies seem to have a lot going on all at once! There aren’t many girls who haven’t been itchy down there at one time or another and there...

5

Question:

“I just got off my period and had sex with my boyfriend. Now, I am bleeding again. What does this mean?”

I can never trust the last day or two of my period. I hate it when I think my period’s over and I go without a tampon, only to find out later that my period wasn’t actually over – another pair of...

3

Question:

“What does “pop your cherry” mean? I’ve heard it so many times, but I don’t know what it means.”

The term “pop your cherry” is slang for the breaking of the hymen. The hymen is about a half-inch inside the vagina and can be broken with penetration or even if you’re just very active. Some girls...

31

Question:

“Is there a way to purposely break your hymen with a tampon? ”

You could probably do it, but there's really no need! Your hymen will break or stretch when it needs to. It might happen naturally the first time you use a tampon or insert anything else into your...

117

Question:

“I have no armpit hair, literally. And I have my period. Is that normal? ”

Although when it comes to menstruation, nothing is “normal” this is really common. There’s no set of “period rules” that say first armpit hair then period, or vice versa. And in some cases women grow...

4

Question:

“I donated blood before my periods and now my period is late. I'm not pregnant, and I have PMS as usual but no period. Can you explain why for some woman, periods don't come or get delayed after donating blood?”

I have never experienced this before! It seemed unlikely to me that losing a little bit of the blood pumping around in your body could affect your uterine lining, which is a little different. But...

10

Question:

“I have a creamy discharge in my underwear sometimes and it kind of smells bad. Is something wrong? Is this a yeast infection?”

This could just be your body's natural secretions, so if you're bothered by the smell, just make sure to keep your vaginal area clean (soap and water is fine!). If the odor is different than your...

15

Question:

“Sometimes when I sit for long time, my vagina goes numb is that normal?”

Sitting for a long time can cause your body to do strange things! (As you well know if you've ever had your foot fall asleep on you.) I've never heard of a vagina going numb from sitting too long, so...

48

Question:

“My bf wants to be intimate together even when I am on my period and I just feel so ugly and disgusting. Help?”

I totally understand. When I'm on my period, I don't exactly feel my sexiest. I'm crampy, usually breaking out, and sometimes cranky. But we both should feel sexy! Because as corny as it sounds, what...

9

Question:

“I think my vagina smells kinda good (except when I have my period). Am I the only one?”

I read this question and just wanted to scream, "Woo, you go, girl!" A lot of people aren't big fans of their own smells, but I think it's fab that you are. In some ways, vaginas had to be designed to...

13

Question:

“I have blood in my discharge. It's not big but little specks. Is this normal?”

If you’re new to having your period, this spotting may just be a minor inconvenience while your body determines its regular cycle. As a menstruation newbie, your hormones are constantly in flux, so...

5

Question:

“On the last day of my period, my vagina always feels like it’s burning. I'm not sexually active, so what's going on?”

Ouch! Burning is never a good feeling to have, whether you’re sexually active or not. I think it would be best for you to talk to your healthcare professional and have it checked out. You shouldn’t...

9

Question:

“Why do I always have so much discharge before and after my period?”

I’m going to start by assuring you that vaginal discharge (especially around the time of your period) is normal. If it bothers you to have discharge on your panties the days before and after your...

26

Question:

“Why do I have acne inside my vagina (and I am not sexually active)?”

Your vagina is a sensitive area! Sexually active or not, sores, bumps or rashes on the inside of your vagina should be looked at by a healthcare professional. I’m sure it’s more than a little...

125

Question:

“If you have a yeast infection, is it okay to scratch or does that make it worse?”

I haven’t had to deal with a yeast infection (knock on wood). This baffled my girlfriends who were all gushing about yeast infections and vaginal issues the other night. So when it comes to yeast...

7

Question:

“Is it normal if I can't see my vaginal hole? I'm a virgin, and I've never used a tampon before. I used a mirror to look at my vagina, but the hole was barely visible.”

Props to you for getting out a mirror and checking yourself out! I’m not an anatomy expert, so it’s hard to answer your question with certainty. I do know that sometimes it can be hard to see...

17

Question:

“Is it bad if you play sports when you're on your period? What's better, a pad or a tampon?”

It's totally not bad! Actually, it can be really good, for both you and your cramps. See this Qandamp;A for more info on exercising during your period. In terms of the old pad or tampon debate, the...

6

Question:

“Why do I keep getting yeast infections right before I get my period?”

Yeast infections may be a bit more common around the time of your period. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the fluctuations of hormones that lead to the overgrowth of yeast. I think our health...

18

Question:

“I'm getting green veins on my breast during my period. What does this mean?”

I have to admit that I was excited to see this question. I was one of those odd children that instead of asking, “Why is the sky blue?” I asked things like, “Why are my veins blue?” Let me start by...

5

Question:

“If my vagina feels dry should I put lotion on it or in it?”

In my opinion, it really depends on the kind of lotion you plan on using. I have sensitive skin, so I stay away from anything with perfume, glitter (yes, I said glitter!), color, etc. I strongly...

3

Question:

“Do your breasts stop growing when you get your period? Mine are still REALLY small and I got my period last year.”

Everyone is different when it comes to puberty and development, but the majority of my girlfriends continued to develop well into their teenage years and 20s. And before you go gaga for tatas,...

940

Question:

“Can getting a Pap smear a few days before your period affect your period when it comes on?”

I’ve had quite a few Pap smears, all at different points in my cycle. Though, I prefer to plan ahead and schedule my appointments after my period is done. I’m honestly not sure how or even if it might...

1

Question:

“Is it possible to get pregnant from swimming in a pool? How fast is sperm killed by chlorine and other chemicals?”

Well when you consider the size of a sperm and the size of a swimming pool — talk about a little fish in a big pond. If you’re just worrying about going swimming and you aren’t the one engaged in...

10

Question:

“Is it normal to get a bladder infection during your period?”

I wouldn’t say it’s normal but it definitely can happen. Bacteria cause bladder infections so when you have your period, make sure you’re changing your tampon or pad regularly. UTIs are painful and...

2

Question:

“After my period I tend to get bacterial vaginosis because the blood messes up my pH. What can I do??”

While bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not uncommon, I’ve never had an experience with it. But I wanted to give you some sort of direction to finding an answer so I did a little research for you. First,...

5

Question:

“Is it okay to have a beauty mark inside of your labia majora above and to the right of my clitoris?”

2

Question:

“If you're still a virgin and you go to the gynecologist, can the doctor's speculum break your hymen? If so, will it hurt?”

You’d be surprised how little or even how much impact it could take to break your hymen. The thickness or thinness of the tissue varies from girl to girl. If it’s thin enough, it’s possible to have it...

10

Question:

“Am I normal? When I feel the inside of my vagina, the walls are smooth, but in the center, all the way in the back there is a soft squishy lump. It feels like it comes to a point, and there is a slit in it, about a finger tip wide or so. ”

Good for you for exploring your body! The vagina has a lot of different parts and everyone’s feels and looks slightly different. I don’t know for sure what you are touching as there are a few parts of...

116

Question:

“Is it normal for your ovaries to hurt before and during your period?”

I’m not really sure if that is normal to be honest because I’ve never had it happen to me personally. But I think you should check out health expert Sandy’s answer to this one. If it continues to...

7

Question:

“Why does my body itch all over during that time of the month?”

All women have big changes in their hormone levels when they have their period. Sometimes these abrupt changes trigger a release of histamine, which can cause itching. It is not fun! Some women soon...

12

Question:

“Can having sex mess with your period? Like make it irregular or come early or late?”

I believe hormones from sex can affect your period. I’m not too sure on all the exact details so definitely check out what Dr. Molly has to say for this one. She’ll have a much better answer for you!

8

Question:

“My nipples seem strange. If I don't touch them they're normal, but when I do touch them, it gets cold or I'm sexually active, they get scrunched up and weird. It sounds weird and gross, but I want to know what this is and I want it to go away.”

Most women experience a change in their nipples during the occasions you mentioned. The nipples are very sensitive and everything from sexual arousal to something as simple as a cold breeze can cause...

3

Question:

“When I stretch my inner labia as far as they will go, I notice small lighter bumps. They do not hurt, and they've been there as long as I can remember. Do these bumps have a name? Does everyone have them?”

Great question. It's possible that these are Fordyce Spots, which are superficial sebaceous (AKA oil producing) glands. They can appear on the labia, penis, and mouth. They are perfectly normal and...

7

Question:

“I shaved my vagina and the itching is uncontrollable, what should I do?”

Ouch! Sounds like razor burn to me. Razor burn is the worst -- especially on the bikini area. I have super sensitive skin and shaving always irritates it, but I have learned a couple tricks that I’ll...

11

Question:

“Why is my period worse some months than others? ”

I don't know exactly why. But I have totally been there. For 2 years on and off in high school, I had the worst cramps ever. I'm talking about reduced to tears and having to go home from school type...

5

Question:

“Why do I have cramps, heavy discharge, and no period?”

It may be that you’re ramping up for your period. Cramps and heavy discharge come prior to your period -- think of them as the warning letting you know to “brace yourself” and maybe save the white...

122

Question:

“What should I do about cramps at school?”

Always be prepared! If your period is regular, you should kind of have an idea of when it’s going to start every month. What I would do is always have pad or tampon in my backpack or purse if I knew I...

19

Question:

“What do you do about razor burn in the pubic area?”

My best advice is to prevent razor burn in the first place. Shaving can be a tricky thing, especially if you are prone to razor burn like me. I have super sensitive skin so if I’m not very careful, it...

2

U By Kotex U By Kotex Vaginal And Reproductive Health Article Image.

THE DETAILS ON DISCHARGE

by Dr. Aliza

Maybe you’re embarrassed to talk about vaginal discharge. But there’s no reason to be. All women have it, and it’s normal for your vagina to produce secretions to stay clean,...

537

Question:

“I am a light-skinned female. Why is my vagina dark?”

I’m going to say those words that everyone hates to hear, or well, read -- everyone is different and unique. Don’t compare yourself to others. There is no perfect vagina or a specific color or shape,...

4

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GYNO VISITS

More than half of all women consider their gynecologists to be their primary care providers and rely on them as their main sources of care.* That means for the majority of women, an annual gyno visit...

0

Question:

“Does having sex delay my period?”

Sex can definitely affect your period because of all the hormones involved. I would check out what Dr. Molly has to say for this one.

3

Question:

“Can having a UTI delay your period?”

I totally feel for you -- Bladder infections are no fun! I've never had a bladder infection delay my period, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be the cause. It may be a good time to grab a big ol'...

5

Question:

“Can a yeast infection cause a missed period?”

Aside from yeast infections just making me feel “ick,” I can’t say that they have ever affected my cycle. But I know everyone is different, so I can’t say it would be the same for me as it might be...

5

VAGINAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH*

THE DETAILS ON DISCHARGE

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GYNO VISITS

“How can you tell the difference between a broken hymen and a first menstrual cycle? ”

“What do I do about cuts in my area? Do I put Neosporin on them? What do I do when they hurt/ bleed?”

“I have hair on the inside of my vagina, like on the flaps. How do I get it out?”

“I've had my period for a month, and the blood is bright red. My doc says it's nothing to worry about. They found a complex cyst the size of my ovary, and my endometrium is thickened. What does this all mean? I can't get a straight answer out of my doc.”

“How do you know your hymen is broken if you have never gone to the gyno (I'm still a virgin)?”

“Why does my vagina get itchy everywhere when I'm on my period?”

“I just got off my period and had sex with my boyfriend. Now, I am bleeding again. What does this mean?”

“What does “pop your cherry” mean? I’ve heard it so many times, but I don’t know what it means.”

“Is there a way to purposely break your hymen with a tampon? ”

“I have no armpit hair, literally. And I have my period. Is that normal? ”

“I donated blood before my periods and now my period is late. I'm not pregnant, and I have PMS as usual but no period. Can you explain why for some woman, periods don't come or get delayed after donating blood?”

“I have a creamy discharge in my underwear sometimes and it kind of smells bad. Is something wrong? Is this a yeast infection?”

“Sometimes when I sit for long time, my vagina goes numb is that normal?”

“My bf wants to be intimate together even when I am on my period and I just feel so ugly and disgusting. Help?”

“I think my vagina smells kinda good (except when I have my period). Am I the only one?”

“I have blood in my discharge. It's not big but little specks. Is this normal?”

“On the last day of my period, my vagina always feels like it’s burning. I'm not sexually active, so what's going on?”

“Why do I always have so much discharge before and after my period?”

“Why do I have acne inside my vagina (and I am not sexually active)?”

“If you have a yeast infection, is it okay to scratch or does that make it worse?”

“Is it normal if I can't see my vaginal hole? I'm a virgin, and I've never used a tampon before. I used a mirror to look at my vagina, but the hole was barely visible.”

“Is it bad if you play sports when you're on your period? What's better, a pad or a tampon?”

“Why do I keep getting yeast infections right before I get my period?”

“I'm getting green veins on my breast during my period. What does this mean?”

“If my vagina feels dry should I put lotion on it or in it?”

“Do your breasts stop growing when you get your period? Mine are still REALLY small and I got my period last year.”

“Can getting a Pap smear a few days before your period affect your period when it comes on?”

“Is it possible to get pregnant from swimming in a pool? How fast is sperm killed by chlorine and other chemicals?”

“Is it normal to get a bladder infection during your period?”

“After my period I tend to get bacterial vaginosis because the blood messes up my pH. What can I do??”

“Is it okay to have a beauty mark inside of your labia majora above and to the right of my clitoris?”

“If you're still a virgin and you go to the gynecologist, can the doctor's speculum break your hymen? If so, will it hurt?”

“Am I normal? When I feel the inside of my vagina, the walls are smooth, but in the center, all the way in the back there is a soft squishy lump. It feels like it comes to a point, and there is a slit in it, about a finger tip wide or so. ”

“Is it normal for your ovaries to hurt before and during your period?”

“Why does my body itch all over during that time of the month?”

“Can having sex mess with your period? Like make it irregular or come early or late?”

“My nipples seem strange. If I don't touch them they're normal, but when I do touch them, it gets cold or I'm sexually active, they get scrunched up and weird. It sounds weird and gross, but I want to know what this is and I want it to go away.”

“When I stretch my inner labia as far as they will go, I notice small lighter bumps. They do not hurt, and they've been there as long as I can remember. Do these bumps have a name? Does everyone have them?”

“I shaved my vagina and the itching is uncontrollable, what should I do?”

“Why is my period worse some months than others? ”

“Why do I have cramps, heavy discharge, and no period?”

“What should I do about cramps at school?”

“What do you do about razor burn in the pubic area?”

THE DETAILS ON DISCHARGE

“I am a light-skinned female. Why is my vagina dark?”

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GYNO VISITS

“Does having sex delay my period?”

“Can having a UTI delay your period?”

“Can a yeast infection cause a missed period?”

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