The body you had at 16 isn’t the same body you had at 25, the one at 25 won’t be the same at 45, and so on. Our bodies are constantly changing. These changes occur from age, lifestyle, diet, genetics, etc. Our bodies regularly take in information and adapt to how we care (or don’t care) for it. Many of us never take the time to actually be present within our bodies so that we can assess and listen to its needs or the information it is trying to give us about our wellbeing.
Taking time to actually get to know your body can help you know when something is off quicker, understand what you need when you need it, and just overall help you have a better relationship with your body.
While technology is constantly evolving, we still pretty much only get one body in this lifetime. So it makes sense to prioritize being present in it and treating it well.
Here are journal prompts to explore that will help you love your body a little more:
Describe how it feels to be inside of your body.
Think about the recurring foods you eat. Write them down and how they usually make your body feel.
Can you tell when things are “off” with your body? If so, what are the tell signs? If not, why do you think this is?
In what ways do you care for your body? How do you soothe yourself? How do you nourish yourself? Really explore this.
How do you feel when you look at your body? What do you think about your body?
Think about a time when your body alerted you about something or someone. What was the alert? Did you listen or not? Why or why not?
Write a thank you note to your body.
]]>“Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.” (apa.org)
When stress is present, a hormone called cortisol is released. This is your main stress hormone. Cortisol increases your heart rate and blood pressure and sets off your “fight or flight” response.
Once your body is on alert, it can lead down a rabbit hole of other issues if not addressed. For example, many people eat more unhealthy foods when stressed. This becomes a cycle or habit of poor eating when feeling overwhelmed, sad, angry, depressed, or any other stress-based feelings.
There are three main types of stress:
Acute Stress
It can be triggered by a single event, such as being cut off in traffic or getting into an argument with a bill collector.
Acute Episodic Stress
It can be triggered by frequent events like having deadlines.
Chronic Stress
It can be triggered by ongoing events such as dealing with family issues, substance abuse, or dealing with an illness or job loss.
A combination of these types of stress can lead to the cortisol hormones being released.
How to Embrace More of a Stress-Free Life:
Say no to what’s not in alignment.
Say yes to what brings peace and makes you happy.
Eat well. Feed your body like you love it.
Get rest. Quality sleep is so important.
Exercise, move your body to release endorphins.
Let go of beliefs and people that stress you out.
It’s never too late to make different choices. You deserve a life of ease, and it all starts with the way you manage stress.
]]>What affects the pH balance?
Stress
Douching
Using scented products around or inside of the vagina
Tight clothing
Tampons
Poor dieting
Unprotected sex
Medications (i.e., antibiotics, birth control)
Menstrual cycle
Menopause
Existing health conditions
Signs your pH is off:
An imbalanced pH can lead to bacterial vaginosis and cause symptoms such as vaginal itching, a fishy odor, burning while urinating, and unusual discharge. An unbalanced pH can also cause swelling and irritation around the vagina and pain or a burning feeling during sex. Ultimately, when your pH is off, your body will let you know. Paying attention to your body and learning what positively and negatively affects your body is key.
How to balance your pH:
Use Boric Acid Suppositories.
Incorporate probiotics into your diet. Lactobacilli is a “good” bacteria abundant in healthy vaginas. Found in probiotic supplements and naturally occurs in fermented foods (kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt)
Take Garlic tablets. They are packed with antioxidants and bacteria-fighting compound allicin.
Use barrier methods when having sex. Condoms prevent alkaline semen from disturbing pH levels.
Have better stress management. Stress can affect your overall health and the health of your vagina.
Exercise, practice deep breathing, do yoga, listen to relaxing music, play an instrument, etc. Do things that bring you joy.
Be mindful of how you clean your vulva and vagina. Don’t douche. Avoid fragrant vaginal washes and scented menstrual products. Rinse the area gently with warm water or fragrance-free washes.
Quit smoking. According to research, smokers may be more likely to develop BV.
Be mindful of underwear. Get natural, breathable, absorbent fabrics (cotton), wash underwear with hypoallergenic detergent, sleep with no underwear to prevent moisture buildup, and change during the day if a lot of moisture buildup.
See OB-GYN for regular exams.
NeNe product suggestions for balancing your pH:
Lotus Fresh Extra Loving Fem Wash
Boric Fresh Suppositories
Yoni Pearl Set
V-Gel
Lotus Oil
Herbal V Suppositories
Probiotics
Intimate Flora Gel
Sacral Balance Tea
Once you have begun to experience symptoms of something being off with your body, you are already in the midst of whatever’s triggered within you. But what if we put more effort into prevention? What can be done to prevent you from ever arriving at that point?
With increasing interest in feminine health products and practices, the market has exploded with so many options. It can get pretty overwhelming, and feel like you need to buy every product and do all the things. However, it’s important to remember that simple routines are best.
Our bodies will naturally work in our favor if we love them properly. Your routine doesn’t have to be complex. It can be natural and straightforward.
Check your products. The cleaner, the better. Your feminine care products shouldn’t be filled with a whole lot of toxins and chemicals that could potentially throw off your pH.
Eat like you love yourself. What we put inside of our bodies matters. The type of food you consume will affect how you think, feel, and look. Eat foods that agree with your body while providing the nutrients you need.
Stay stress-free. Stress is the biggest cause of a lot of disruptions we experience inside our bodies. Stress is never good for our minds, hearts, or pum pums. So, try to manage your stress the best way you can.
Say yes to cotton underwear. If you are going to wear underwear, try to make sure they are cotton. Cotton underwear helps keep your vagina moisture-free.
Again, your feminine care routine doesn’t have to be this thousand-step experience. It can be simple and still get the job done.
]]>First and foremost, be sure to consume lots of water. Staying hydrated during your time of the month is essential. This can help you avoid potential headaches and bloating. If you have a hard time getting an adequate amount of water each day, try using a water bottle with drinking times on it.
If water just isn’t your thing because of its lack of flavor, add some fruit to the mix to give it a refreshing and flavorful boost. There are also foods that you should and should not eat while you are on your period. Check them out below:
Foods to Eat:
Leafy green veggies
Fruits (can help with water and sugar cravings)
Ginger (monitor your intake, too much ginger can have an adverse effect)
Healthy protein
Peppermint tea
Lentils and beans
Dark chocolate
Quinoa
Turmeric
Flaxseed oil
Yogurt or other probiotic-rich foods
Foods to Avoid:
Salty Foods
Sugar
Spicy Foods
Red Meat
Alcohol
Coffee
Food sensitivities (avoid foods you usually are sensitive to during your period)
Periods can be a very sensitive time. Paying attention to your body and listening to what it needs will help you have a better relationship with your menstrual cycle.
]]>This may be hard to believe, but your vagina isn’t supposed to smell like a strawberry bubblegum sea breeze. It’s okay for it to smell like...vagina. Embracing your natural smell not only helps you know when your smell may be off, but it also increases your confidence when you know and accept the characteristics of your vagina.
Having your vagina smell like fruits, flowers, and candies may sound good in theory but messing up your pH balance and creating a playground for infections is not fun.
For forever, we have been made to feel ashamed of things that naturally occurred within our bodies. It’s time that we take back our power and reclaim agency over ourselves. What you choose to do with and to your body is your choice but just make sure you are doing things that add to your body being healthy, balanced, and efficient and not taking away from it.
Instead of judging your vagina, get to know her. Learn her moods, her smells, her likes, and dislikes. Try accepting her in all her glory.
Vagina acceptance is such a thing. Here are a few affirmations to help you strengthen yourself with your divinely powerful pum pum:
I love the way my vagina smells.
My vagina scent lets me know when she is and isn’t feeling her best.
I honor my vagina by letting her be who she is.
I respect, love, value, and take care of my vagina.
(feel free to give whatever pronoun you would like to give to your vagina)
]]>Did you know your vagina cleans itself? Yes, your vagina is a self-cleaning canal. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take baths; let’s not get extreme. Your vulva isn’t as independent as your vagina. It needs to be washed.
Can you name and identify your lady parts? If not, that’s totally fine. No shaming here, but it would be helpful to learn them before moving on.
Your vulva describes the outer part of your genitalia. It covers all of the structures, from your labia to your vaginal opening.
While your vagina is internal, it’s the tube that leads from the external genitalia or vulva to the cervix of the uterus.
The labia are the inner and outer folds of your vulva, located at either side of the vagina. The inner folds are called the labia minora, and the outer folds are called the labia majora. They are there to protect the opening of the urethra and the vagina.
Now that we have gotten that out of the way, back to the point, your vagina naturally cleans itself, but your vulva does not. However, natural soaps or cleansers should be used to clean the vulva and labia. Soap should not go inside the vagina. This could cause irritation and set-up of infection. Uncleaned vulvas can also cause infection and odor.
Tips for vulva and vagina cleaning and maintenance:
Vaginal imbalances can result from trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and it could increase the chance of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI). Incorporating taking probiotics regularly into your feminine care routine can help improve and maintain your vaginal health.
According to studies, consuming these specific bacterias can help maintain vaginal balance:
Lactobacillus acidophilus- occurs naturally in the gut and other parts of the body. It kills harmful bacteria and helps the digestive system break down sugars.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus- found in the gut and can help relieve IBS symptoms, strengthen your gut health, prevent UTIs, and restore vaginal flora.
Lactobacillus reuteri- used to improve digestion and restore vaginal flora.
These bacteria strains can be found in yogurt, other foods, and supplement form. Be sure to read labels on foods. Probiotics are a girl’s best friend. Get to know them. Check out the Lotus Fresh Probiotic Supplements with Sea Moss.
Yoni steams cleanses, rejuvenates, restores, revitalizes, and strengthens the womb and body. It’s also a great way to reconnect with yourself on an emotional, spiritual, and physical level. Yoni steams can be meditative, relaxing and centering, creating space for you to feel more at home within your own body.
The purpose of steaming is to increase circulation and heighten your energy flow by bringing warmth to the womb and pelvis. Due to vaginal tissues being so absorbent, the herbs being delivered to the vaginal tissues byway of steaming has proven to amplify healing properties.
You can do Yoni Steams in the comfort of your own home, or in a safe space that provides an intimate environment for you to experience your steam in peace. If you are in the Miami, Florida area, you can schedule a steam at NeNe FemHealth Wellness Shop.
Yoni Steaming is a natural remedy with proven healing properties. Here are a few benefits:
It removes toxins from the body.
It detoxifies the womb.
It increases fertility.
It is a confidence booster.
It enhances your connection with self.
It heals and strengthens the reproductive system after birth.
It helps with vagina dryness.
It improves your menstrual cycle experience by decreasing pain, exhaustion, and bloating.
It balances emotions and hormones.
It helps with yeast infections.
It helps with bladder infections.
It can shrink fibroids.
It alleviates the effects of menopause.
It can aid in miscarriage support.
It connects and aligns the mind, body, and spirit.
These are just some of the many benefits of Yoni Steaming. This practice has served women for hundreds of years. Using the tools and practices created by our ancestors is a good way to pay respects and to honor them. If you find that you are interested in exploring Yoni Steams further, please do so. As women, we must take our healing into our own hands. Just remember to do your research, follow your intuition, and don’t be afraid to take advantage of the natural methods and remedies that are available to us.
]]>Using a menstrual cup
Sit in a squatting position, stand with one leg raised, or sit on the toilet.
Fold the menstrual cup and insert into your vagina, the cup opens up and forms a suction with the walls of the vagina and the mouth of the cervix. Since it forms an airlock, blood does not leak. Even if you do a headstand! If inserted correctly, the cup sits inside the vaginal canal and you don’t feel a thing.
Removing a menstrual cup
To remove the cup, you must break the airlock. The cup has tiny holes to release the airlock when pressed. First, be sure to wash your hands, then Insert two fingers into the vagina, pinch the base of the cup to release the airlock and pull the cup out. Empty out the contents, wash the cup with water, and reinsert.
Two ways to fold your menstrual cup
U-fold: Fold the cup in half to form a “U” with the lips.
Punch-down fold: Press one edge of the lip inside the cup. This fold makes the mouth smaller, and easier to insert inside of the vagina.
Leaking cup? Here are some possible causes:
If you can feel the pointy edge after inserting, the cup has not opened. You will need to insert the cup further until you can feel the round base.
Pull the cup out a little and then push it back in gently so that the mouth of the cervix is inside the cup.
For a young woman, those that are physically active in sports/exercise, or constipated, the cup may not open inside. The solution is to switch to a firmer or harder cup.
Using a menstrual cup for the first time can be an experience but once you get the hang of it, you may not ever want to go back to pads or tampons again. However, keep in mind that it is very important to use what feels most comfortable and offers the most support for you.
Menstrual Cup Benefits: