Toluwani Binutu

Pulse Contributor

The vagina is a birth canal, it gives us pleasure and it also goes through menstruation each month. Before I begin to explain the steps to having a healthy vagina, let’s talk a bit about what the vagina is and what it is not.

The Vagina is different from the Vulva. Many people, including women, think they mean the same thing.

The vulva is the part you see on the outside. It includes the lips surrounding the vagina (the labia majora &amp; minora), the clitoris (the orgasm generator that looks like the head of a matchstick), the Bartholin’s glands, the vaginal opening, the hymen and other parts.

The vagina is the MUSCULAR TUBE ON THE INSIDE, that runs all the way to the womb.

Knowing this, let’s go to the main topic

(1) Don’t wash the Vagina

There’s a lot of bad information out there, telling women that they need to get their vaginas to smell and feel fresh.

And so, a lot of women wash their vaginas with soap, feminine products and even water. This act leaves the vagina open to overgrowth of harmful organisms (Read my article on my IG page called “Why you should not wash the vagina” for more info ).

So, I’m here to say that you should not wash the vagina. Wash only the vulva with water and unscented soap. The vagina cleans itself.

(2) Practice Safe sex

Use protection when having sex. And if you feel that you want to have unprotected sex, ensure that you and your partner get tested for STIs beforehand.

Avoid Condoms that contain Spermicides. Also avoid lubricants that contain Glycerin, Petroleum products, parabens, scents, flavors, non-natural oils &amp; dyes.

When having sex, avoid doing things that move from anal play to vaginal play, so as to avoid transferring harmful organisms.

If you can, pee after sex to reduce chances of getting a UTI.

(3) Choose Underwear fabric wisely

Wearing underwear made out of cotton is usually an awesome choice, because it is breathable &amp; also absorbs moisture down there.

Also, if you know that you sweat often or you engage in physical activity that makes you sweat, try to change out of your sweaty underwear as soon as you can, to limit bacterial growth.

And for those of you that will wear only one unwashed pant until it resembles Oshiomole’s throwback, kuku join egbe.

(4) Treat problems promptly

Dear woman, your body is unique. Take time out to understand your vagina, your different normal discharges and the time of your cycle that they come (Check out my reel on “Vaginal discharges” on my IG page).

If you notice any abnormalities around your genitalia (itching, discoloration, rash, abnormal discharge), don’t be quick to use medication without seeing a Doctor first.

Using antibiotics and other medication carelessly can lead to vaginal problems that may be difficult to treat.

(5) Prioritize your health

Whatever affects your general health will ultimately have an impact on your vaginal and sexual health, if not treated promptly.

So eat healthy, keep fit, sleep well and go for regular health checks.

If you are sexually active as a woman, go for regular cervical screening. Prioritizing your health is always a good decision.

I congratulate you for reading this far.

Let me give you a small gift for that : If you want your vagina to smell and taste good, instead of scrubbing it like laundry, try eating fruits like Pineapples in moderation.

There’s no definitive scientific evidence that it works, but I have met several women who say that it definitely works.

Do you have a story to tell about Vaginal health?

Or have you had any good/bad sexual experience you’d like to share?

Share them in the comment section!

Toluwani Binutu is a Medical Doctor based in the UK. With experience in a wide range of specialties, from Emergency medicine to Health insurance , he is passionate about wellness. He believes that the key to living your best life lies in your ability to stay healthy. For more&nbsp;health tips , you can check out his Instagram handle @tolubinutu&nbsp;

Pulse Contributors is an initiative to highlight diverse journalistic voices. Pulse Contributors do not represent the company Pulse and contribute on their own behalf.

Douching or washing the vagina is unnecessary as the area is self cleaning

The vagina is a most remarkable organ. It is a tube that runs from the Vulva (the outside of the female genital area) to the Cervix (the opening of the womb).

How to have a healthy Vagina

Let me first state that not all women have regular periods.

If the gap between the start of your periods keeps changing, then you have irregular periods. You should see your Doctor if this happens.&nbsp;

That said, let’s now discuss some of the common causes of missed periods :

This is either the most desirable or the most dreaded possibility, depending on who you ask.&nbsp;

It is probably the most common cause of missed/stopped periods in sexually active women of reproductive age.

So if you’re sexually active, in your reproductive years &amp; have missed your period, you should carry out a pregnancy test.&nbsp;

(2) Stress and weight issues

It has been noted that stress could cause a temporary imbalance in the hormone profile of women which could, in turn, affect the regularity of periods.&nbsp;

Also, your weight can affect your menstrual cycle in more ways than one.&nbsp;

For instance, excessive of sudden weight loss can affect the hormones regulating your menstrual cycle &amp; cause you to miss your period. Too much exercise can also cause missed periods.&nbsp;

On the flip side, being overweight may lead your body to produce goo much Oestrogen, which can also affect how often you get your periods.

(3) Polycystic ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

I have discussed PCOS extensively in an article on my IG page (you can access this through my highlights or by scrolling down my page).

PCOS usually affects the ability of affected women to release eggs, which means that they cannot ovulate.

In some parts of the world, PCOS is responsible for more than 30% of cases of missed periods, so it is important to know about it.

(4) Birth control methods

One of the most common effects of hormone-based birth control options is to cause Missed periods.

Whether it is the Intra-uterine system (like Mirena), Injectable or even the Progestogen-only pill, the hormonal component can cause your period to become irregular or even stop completely.&nbsp;

Don’t be worried about this though. When you stop the birth control method, your period should return.

Menopause is a natural occurrence that all women will go through in their 40s or 50s. It is when a woman stops seeing her period and marks the end of her menstrual cycles.&nbsp;

When Menopause begins, the woman’s Oestrogen levels start to reduce &amp; ovulation becomes more irregular.

That said, if you notice that you’re having the signs of Menopause earlier than normal, please see your Doctor.

If you are sexually active and you miss your period, the first thing you should do is a pregnancy test.&nbsp;

If you normally have regular periods, have now missed your period for 3 months or more &amp; your pregnancy test is negative, please see your Doctor.

Fortunately, there is usually a solution to this issue, so you shouldn’t panic. Just seek medical help and let your Doctor help you through this.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Issues regarding missed periods or stopped periods are very common amongst women.&nbsp;

Why some women miss their period

Lactation is normal for women who are pregnant or who have just given birth. In fact, it is a welcome event, because lactation is necessary if the woman wants to breastfeed her unborn/newborn child.

But it is usually worrisome when women (who have never been pregnant) or Men lactate. This condition is known as Galactorrhea/Hyperlactation and it happens to about 1 in 4 women.&nbsp;

Galactorrhea is often as a result of an increase in the quantity of a hormone called Prolactin, which is produced by the Pituitary gland in the brain.&nbsp;

<ul><li>Hormone imbalance</li><li>Medication (Some antidepressants, antipsychotics, Antihypertensives etc)</li><li>Birth control pills</li><li>Excessive stimulation of the breasts/nipples (During sex, breast examination etc)</li><li>Medical conditions (Chronic kidney disease, Hypothyroidism, Stress etc)</li><li>Tumor of the pituitary gland</li></ul>

The most common symptom of Galactorrhea is the production of excessive milk from one or both breasts.

Other symptoms to look out for include :&nbsp;

<ul><li>Enlarged breast(s)</li><li>Irregular periods</li><li>Unusual hair growth</li><li>Acne</li><li>Leaking from nipples that happens randomly</li><li>Headaches/ Visual disturbances&nbsp;</li><li>Reduced sex drive</li></ul>

So how can this condition be treated?&nbsp;

It is important not to try treating it by yourself.&nbsp;

The first step to treating Galactorrhea/Hyperlactation is to see your Doctor.&nbsp;

This is because your Doctor is in the best position to find out what’s causing it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By asking you a couple of questions, doing a physical exam and running some tests, your Doctor should be able to discover the cause and then treat you accordingly.&nbsp;

Men can also experience Galactorrhea and it usually occurs together with breast tenderness or enlargement, a condition known as Gynaecomastia.&nbsp;

Men who experience Galactorrhea may also notice that they have reduced sexual desire and even Erectile dysfunction. This is because Galactorrhea in Men is usually associated with Testosterone deficiency.&nbsp;

See your Doctor if you suspect this condition.&nbsp;

Causes and treatment of breast pain during menstruation. [medicalnewstoday]

When a woman’s breasts produce milk, it is known as Lactation.

Here's why your breasts are leaking milk when you're not pregnant

Some of the ladies had that “Pregnancy glow” while the others looked as if they forgot their glow at home.

If you’re wondering within your chest why some women looked darker or had wider noses or bigger lips during pregnancy, then keep reading.&nbsp;

Here are some of the changes that occur :

The reason why some women look radiant (Pregnancy glow) during pregnancy is because of an increase in blood flow to the skin.&nbsp;

Not all women experience this though. Many women experience Stretch marks instead, especially women who gain weight rapidly in pregnancy or women that were already on the big side.&nbsp;

These stretch marks (usually on the breasts, abdomen, backside &amp; thighs) can be itchy but they usually shrink after childbirth. Applying cocoa butter can help to relieve the itchiness.

(2) More skin changes

You thought we were done with the skin, right?&nbsp;

There are some other skin changes that happen in pregnancy. Some women develop acne and skin tags, while others might notice skin discoloration like reddening of the hands and soles of the feet.&nbsp;

Some also develop darker skin as well as a dark line running down the belly to the pubic area. This darkening of the skin is called Melasma, while the dark line is called a Linea Nigra. They are due to pregnancy hormones.&nbsp;

Pregnancy hormones reduce the rate of hair loss. What this means is that pregnant women tend to have shiny, healthier-looking hair. The only problem is that the hair returns to normal after childbirth.

That’s not all. Pregnancy can also lead to increased hair growth on other parts of the body as well. So some pregnant women notice that they suddenly develop hair on their chest, back, nipples and even abdomen.&nbsp;

Luckily, the hair growth in these areas will most likely reduce or disappear after childbirth as well.

(4) Breast changes

Women are usually happy about this one, especially those who weren’t very endowed in the first place.&nbsp;

Suddenly, women who had tangerines on their chests now get promoted to watermelon status. Many women go up a cup or two, especially when it is their first pregnancy.&nbsp;

In addition to the breasts feeling more full &amp; tender, some notice a milky discharge from their nipples. This fluid is called Colostrum,

(5) Swollen appearance

Pregnancy hormones (especially Oestrogen) causes an increase in blood flow everywhere, which leads to a puffy appearance. So when you see a pregnant woman whose nose &amp; lips looks bigger, you now know why.

Pregnant women might also experience a gradual swelling of the fingers, legs, ankles &amp; feet. This is also normal.&nbsp;

That said, if this swelling happens suddenly, it may be a symptom of a serious health problem &amp; should be reported to the Doctor.&nbsp;

Apart from getting a bigger abdomen, pregnant women undergo various changes. Many of these changes&nbsp;aren’t even visible to the naked eye.

So why did I do this article?&nbsp;

I did it to celebrate women all over the world who have gone through and will still go through some of these pregnancy changes in order to bring life into the world.

Pregnancy is beautiful &amp; so are you!

You must have all seen the recent trend showing the pictures of beautiful ladies before pregnancy and during pregnancy.

Why do women look different during pregnancy?

I’ll start off by saying that there are different types of headaches and, sometimes, a headache is simply a symptom of something more serious (e.g Hypertension, hypothyroidism etc). For this reason, it is important to have your headaches checked out if they start suddenly, if they happen too frequently or if they are severe.&nbsp;

If what you experience are the “normal” everyday headaches, then these tips may help you with them. Here they are :

(1) Sleep well and stay hydrated

Dehydration can contribute to headaches, especially in tropical regions like Nigeria. So always remember to stay hydrated. If you notice that your urine has a deep yellow colour, it probably means that you aren’t drinking enough water.&nbsp;

Also, remember to sleep. The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If you find it difficult to sleep, cut down of sugar and caffeine a few hours before bed. Also try a warm bath and dim the lights.&nbsp;

(2) Cold compress

Using a cold compress can help to relieve that stubborn headache of yours. Applying a cold compress to the head and/or neck area constricts blood vessels and slows nerve conduction.

Because many headaches are linked to swelling of blood vessels and increased blood flow, a cold compress will constrict these blood vessels, which can relieve the headache.&nbsp;

Don’t put ice directly on your skin o. To make an ice compress, put the ice inside a waterproof bag then wrap it in a towel.&nbsp;

(3) Be careful with caffeine

Caffeine is both good and bad for headaches. Let me explain.&nbsp;

In many types of headaches, blood vessels swell, send more blood to the brain and this brings the headache. When you take caffeine, it restricts this blood flow and so reduces the headache.

The problem occurs when the body becomes addicted to Caffeine. When you now try to stop taking caffeine suddenly, the blood vessels swell &amp; this triggers a Caffeine withdrawal headache.&nbsp;

Basically, use Caffeine in moderation.&nbsp;

(4) Vitamin B-complex

Studies have shown that vit B2, B6 &amp; B12 protects from headaches and may also help to relieve the symptoms of headaches.

The good thing is that vit B-complex has all three, plus more, wrapped up in it. It is also safe to consume regularly at the right dosage and excesses are passed out in urine.

As if this isn’t enough, vit B-complex is also quite cost-effective.&nbsp;

So what are you still waiting for?&nbsp;

(5)&nbsp;Magnesium

Magnesium is like that company employee that everyone goes to because he has all the solutions in his pockets. Without magnesium, the human body would not be able to produce energy.&nbsp;

Research also shows that Magnesium can help to prevent migraines. In fact, it could also help in treating Migraines as well as other types of headaches.&nbsp;

That said, taking an unsuitable dose of Magnesium can upset your tummy so speak with your Doctor about the right dose for you.

These steps I have discussed can help to prevent or alleviate simple, uncomplicated headaches.&nbsp;

Share them with someone who needs this information!

I think we can all agree that headaches are quite common, especially in this day and age where everything is moving so fast.

Get rid of headaches with these simple steps

Hormones are like the messengers of the human body. They are produced in the Endocrine glands &amp; travel to the different tissues/organs in our body, helping them to function properly.&nbsp;

Hormone imbalance occurs when there’s too little or too much of a particular hormone in the body.

While it is normal for hormone levels to shift throughout your lifetime, sometimes the Endocrine glands get things wrong &amp; produce levels of hormones that can cause problems.&nbsp;

What this means is that, when these hormones are present in abnormal levels, they make our tissues &amp; organs to function either below normal capacity or above normal capacity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Here are some of the common symptoms that hormone imbalance can cause :&nbsp;

(1) Irregular periods :&nbsp;

If your period doesn’t show up at about the same time each month, this might be as a result of an imbalance in your levels of Oestrogen &amp; Progesterone (two important hormones).

The most common hormone imbalance in women of reproductive age is PCOS (i wrote about this separately in another article on my IG page).

For some women who are close to Menopause, it is also normal for them to have changes in their hormone balance.&nbsp;

(2) Weight changes

Oestrogen, an important hormone in women, reduces during menopause &amp; this can lead to weight gain around the abdomen &amp; hips.&nbsp;

Apart from Menopause &amp; PCOS, an under-active thyroid gland (which produces less thyroid hormones than normal) can also cause weight gain.&nbsp;

As for weight-loss, an over-active thyroid gland could be responsible. This is because if is producing more thyroid hormones which leads to your body burning more calories than normal.

(3) Sexual Problems

Hormonal imbalance can lead to reduced sexual drive in both Men &amp; Women. This occurs as a result of reduction in testosterone levels.&nbsp;

For men who have problems like Erectile dysfunction, Low libido &amp; low sexual performance, it is important to check their levels of Testosterone &amp; Oestrogen. This also applies to women.&nbsp;

Low Oestrogen levels can also cause Vaginal dryness &amp; tightness in women.&nbsp;

(4) Breast &amp; Skin changes

An increase in Oestrogen levels can cause breast tissue to become thick, which could lead to the formation of breast lumps &amp; cysts.&nbsp;

Prolactin, a hormone produced in the brain,&nbsp;also leads to breastmilk production (which would be regarded as normal in pregnant/breastfeeding women but abnormal in Men &amp; women who haven’t been pregnant before)&nbsp;

A shift in hormones (eg During Menopause or due to a thyroid problem) could also be responsible for dry skin.&nbsp;

Hormonal changes have been linked to conditions like Stress, Mood swings &amp; Depression.&nbsp;

Many women experience irritability, mood swings, anxiety &amp; depression before &amp; during their periods. This is linked to Pre-menstrual Syndrome.

Also, if you either feel tired or hyperactive all the time, you might want to have your hormones checked, especially your thyroid hormones, as they have been linked with these symptoms.&nbsp;

There are more than 50 different hormones in your body right now &amp; each of them is delivering a message to a particular part of your body right now.

There are many other symptoms that hormone imbalance could present with (Thinning of hair, Sweating, Increased hunger, Blurred vision etc) so see your Doctor if you suspect that you might be having hormone imbalance.&nbsp;

Regardless of the hormonal changes you might be experiencing, there’s usually a form of treatment available!

To understand what Hormone imbalance is about, we need to understand what Hormones are.&nbsp;

This thing called Hormone Imbalance

You might also have heard it from some other people that you shouldn’t urinate after sex especially if you’re looking to get pregnant, because urinating after sex pushes sperm out.&nbsp;

What I’ll be looking to do in this article is to separate truth from fiction, from a medical point of view.&nbsp;

So now, let’s talk about why urinating after sex could be helpful for you.

The reason why Doctors ask women to urinate within 30 minutes after sex is because it may help to prevent UTIs (Urinary tract infections).

UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract. Bacteria usually enter through the urethra (where women urinate from) and travel up to the bladder.&nbsp;

For women, the urethra is close to the vagina and so it is easy for bacteria to gather close to the urethra during sex. Urinating after sex can help to “flush” these bacteria &amp; reduce the risk of a UTI.

Women are about 30 times more likely to get a UTI than Men. This is partly because Women have a shorter urethra. Urinating after sex is ESPECIALLY helpful for women who are more prone to having UTIs than others.&nbsp;

At this point, I must say that there is no solid evidence to confirm that Urinating after sex can prevent UTIs. But it doesn’t hurt to imbibe this practice especially since it actually appears to work for many women out there.&nbsp;At this point, let me also say this : Urinating after sex won’t push sperm out of the vagina.&nbsp;

There are two openings or “holes” in the Vulva: The Urethra and the Vagina. The Vagina receives the Penis (and semen) during sex. When you urinate though, Urine comes out of the Urethra (not the Vagina).

So women who are trying to get pregnant can still carry out the practice of peeing after sex. ✅

There are certain myths surrounding sex [myth]

For the sexually active women reading this, you might have heard that urinating after sex is a good idea.&nbsp;

Why women should urinate after sex

For many women who say that they want to gain weight, what they really mean is “I want to have bigger breasts and a bigger butt”&nbsp;

Apetamine is a popular drug that promises to give this curvy, rounded figure. But does it work? ➡️

The main ingredient in Apetamine is a compound we call Cyproheptadine.&nbsp;

Cyproheptadine (also known as C4) is used in treating symptoms of allergy like rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The thing about C4 is that it has been noted to lead to weight gain.&nbsp;

So the truth is that using Apetamine can help you gain weight by stimulating your appetite.&nbsp;

But is it safe in the long run? Let’s find out.&nbsp;

Apetamine is not licensed for use in the US, UK &amp; many other developed countries.&nbsp;

Medication becomes a poison when it is used wrongly. The reason why I say this is because one of the major problems with Apetamine is that it is abused.

Many women who take it misuse it, because they have seen their favorite online influencers endorsing it as a drug that will make them look like Kim Kardashian.&nbsp;

When a drug that is designed to treat allergies is now being used (without proper prescription) as a weight gain supplement, problems are bound to arise. Let’s discuss these problems.&nbsp;

The major side-effect seen in women who use Apetamine is Drowsiness.&nbsp;

Women who have used it also give details of shaky hands, collapsing on the stairs and in the street, ultimately leasing to hospitalization.&nbsp;

Studies are also starting to show that Apetamine can lead to Jaundice and Liver damage in the long run.&nbsp;

This is why top retail websites like Amazon are taking action to remove Apetamine from their websites.&nbsp;

The main danger with Apetamine appears to lie in the fact that It is also being used for the wrong reasons at the wrong doses by many women.

In life, shortcuts tend to cut lives short.&nbsp;

If you want to gain healthy weight, your best bet is to do it the proven way (Check my IG page for my article “Here’s how to gain weight)&nbsp;

No “body goals” is worth your health or your life 🙏🏾

When it comes to the conversation about body weight, most women are looking for ways to lose weight. A curious thing you tend to notice though, is that they would like to retain the “weight” in their breasts, hips and butt.

Can an Apetamine give you a curvy body?

Especially when you’re sleeping in bed and the sleep has reached that sweet point, so you pretend as if you can’t hear your bladder talking to you.

Toluwani Binutu

Articles written by the author

How to have a healthy Vagina

Why some women miss their period

Here's why your breasts are leaking milk when you're not pregnant

Why do women look different during pregnancy?

Get rid of headaches with these simple steps

This thing called Hormone Imbalance

Why women should urinate after sex

Can an Apetamine give you a curvy body?

Here’s why you should not hold your urine

How to clean your ears

Why you shouldn't wash your vagina [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]

Who should you marry? [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]