Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
From its elasticity to its 'ideal' colour, there are several myths about the vagina. But I am here to bust 6 of the most 'popular' ones!
From its elasticity to its ‘ideal’ colour, there are several myths about the vagina. But I am here to bust 6 of the most ‘popular’ ones!
The vagina – one of the most ‘mysterious’ parts of a woman’s body. We have all heard myths about it all through our lives. From how it’s supposed to look, feel and even smell, we have heard it all.
However, what if I told you that these things that you have heard are nothing but myths?
Let me clear 6 of these myths about this ‘mysterious lady part’ for you!
Well, here’s the truth. There is no evidence for this!
Think of it this way, you defecate all your life and yet, your rectum and anus don’t lose their elasticity, do they? They are meant to expand and that’s how nature has designed it.
No amount of coitus will ever alter the shape or elasticity of your vagina!
Here’s the reality – In earlier times, people would lay a white sheet beneath the bride to ‘check her virginity.’ Think of this way: in earlier times, often, the bride was barely under 18.
She barely had any knowledge of her own body, she was afraid and had no lubrication. The man, on the other hand, was older, but still had no knowledge of sex or the human body. In such a scenario, bleeding is bound to happen!
Today, when people have so much knowledge of sex due to the internet and other sources, they are more aware of what is going to happen. Naturally, this will relax them psychologically and physically, thus reducing the chances of pain.
As for your hymen, it looks something like a scrunchie – it doesn’t always cover your vagina, instead, it has a small opening which allows your period blood to flow. The hymen simply stretches during intercourse. All of it depends on how relaxed you are during sex.
Again, vaginas come in different sizes. The hymen also comes in different shapes. It has nothing to do with your virginity. Virginity is a social construct!
Please read more information from authentic sources or ask your doctor instead of relying on your teenage knowledge. Your teen friends don’t know any more than you do!
Look for any good and reliable article on this topic or consult a doctor. Doctors will definitely suggest that if you absolutely have to, water will help you clean your vagina.
The vagina is a self-cleaning mechanism and doesn’t need water. Moreover, using soaps or washes will only alter the pH of the vagina thus leading to infections.
Simply use tissues with clean hands and you are good to go!
These do NOT work!
The vagina comes in various colours and just like your skin tone, you need to learn to embrace whatever colour you are down there. As for tightening, read whatever I’ve written in the paragraphs earlier.
Hymen reconstruction is just another way to earn money. Trust me, try to relax while having sex and you might not bleed. The bleeding might happen due to the lack of lubrication and not the hymen.
You are not a balloon, girl! If anything, sex raises metabolism and burns calories. The weight gain we see in women is often due to lack of self-care and more family care. Also, probably due to multiple pregnancies in a short duration. Practice safe sex. Period!
All these myths have been created only to ensure that girls don’t think of self-care or even enjoying themselves. And you might just discover that this is because of the popular notion that ‘khandaan ki ijjat hymen mein hoti hai’ (The family’s honour is in your hymen!) Thanks to this, you don’t get to talk or learn and understand anything.
Remember, these are the same people who believe that ‘ladki ki koi ijjat nai hai jab tak shaadi na ho’ (A girl barely has any respect until she’s married).
Learn about self-care, your own body and how to stand up for yourself. Do not rely on your boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend to tell you anything about your own body. Speak to a doctor if you need to but listen to and find reliable sources for this kind of information.
Ps. Have you heard about some other myths about the vagina? Do let me know in the comments!
Picture credits: Still from AIB’s video A Woman’s Besties on YouTube
Often the test of courage is not to die but to live.. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
Please enter your email address