The vagina is a complex part of a woman’s body. While all women have one, there is still a long list of misconceptions both men and women have about the organ and its surrounding structures.
Let’s talk about some common vaginal misconceptions and where you can go for outstanding OB-GYN care in North Miami.
- You Need to Clean Your Vagina with Special Products
There are countless products on the market aimed towards vaginal health and cleanliness. This includes some soaps like Summer’s Eve or pH balancing wipes in the hygiene section of your local grocery store or pharmacy. While it is important to keep the pH balance of your vagina in check, there are many better ways to achieve this than using these soaps and “hygienic” products. In reality, these products throw your body’s natural pH off balance and can cause various unwanted problems like itching and vaginal dryness.
Instead of using speciality products to clean your vagina, it is recommended to simply wash the sensitive areas with warm water. Using warm water will ensure that the pH balance of your vagina is not disrupted and keep it healthy.
- Discharge Always Means There’s Something Wrong
We cannot stress this enough – discharge is completely normal. That being said, the type of discharge you have can be a good indicator of your vagina’s overall health. Normal discharge is typically clear, thick, and mucus-like in consistency. You’ll likely see an uptick of this type of discharge around the time of your ovulation or before or after your period. You may also find your discharge lessening when you begin your transition into menopause or if you take a form of birth control.
If you find your discharge starts changing colors or has a foul odor, you must see a gynecologist at your earliest convenience, as this may be a symptom of an underlying issue.
- Having Sex “Loosens” the Vagina
The vagina is a muscle, and muscles are known to expand and contract regularly. Having sex or having a lot of sex will not do anything to permanently “stretch out” your vagina. Rather, its nature is to expand and contract depending on arousal. When you are having sex, your vagina is supposed to relax and widen, allowing for penetration. Following this interaction, it contracts once again to its original “tightness.”
If you are concerned about the laxity of your vagina, consider pelvic floor therapy, which aims to strengthen the pelvic floor, thereby strengthening the muscles of the vagina and providing you with a “tighter” sensation.
Top Gynecologist in Miami, FL
If you’re interested in learning more about your vagina or have questions about misconceptions you’ve heard, consult with one of the expert OB/GYNs at Levin’s Women’s Health & Wellness Center. Our team will be happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and provide you with the information you need to keep your vagina happy and healthy. We offer comprehensive healthcare services for women, from treatments, screenings, and cosmetic procedures to wellness products and programs.
To schedule an appointment with one of our OB/GYNs, call our North Miami OB/GYN clinic at (305) 981-0231 or request an appointment with us online today.