“Are my labia normal?” Short answer: Yes. Click here for the long answer.
Ask us anything. No judgments.
“In a perfect world, you might prefer to never queef, but as it is, you might as well laugh about it.” Read more.
Ever feel self-conscious about the way your vulva smells? It’s totally normal for vulvas to have a unique odor, and chances are, you’re the only one who smells it. Learn more.
What’s the deal with discharge?
Someone asked us:
What’s up with discharge? What is normal and what isn’t?
This is such a common question. Thanks for asking and helping us set the record straight.
Discharge is a totally normal part of having a vagina. And there isn’t an exact way that it’s always supposed to look—the color, texture, and general appearance of discharge can vary. During puberty, vaginas start producing leukorrhea—a white or clear discharge. Maybe you remember noticing this for the first time when you were younger. The good news is, discharge is and has always been a natural part of having a vagina. It also has a characteristic scent, which is also totally normal. During ovulation, or if you’re aroused, discharge can be slippery and clear. Sometimes discharge can be white and thick. Cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle, so changing discharge is a kind of indicator of what’s up at various points during the month.
Another reason why it’s worth paying attention to your discharge: it can let you know when something’s off. If your vulva or discharge smells really bad, fishy, or yeasty, or if your vulva feels itchy or irritated, you should see a health care provider. These could be symptoms of something as common and easily treated as a yeast infection, or it could be an STD.
But simply having discharge isn’t an indication that there’s something wrong—in fact, it’s telling you that your body is doing something right. You’ve probably heard people say that vaginas are self-cleaning, and normal discharge is the evidence of that.
-Nina at Planned Parenthood
Keeping your testicles and penis healthy takes more than a jock strap and cup. Read these tips on keeping them healthy.
Tampons and IUDs
Someone asked us:
Can you wear a tampon if you have an IUD?
Tampons and IUDs are kinda like next-door neighbors. They’re close but they live in different parts of the reproductive system.
Tampons are inserted into the vagina by you and are used to collect menstrual fluid during a period. They don’t go any further into body than the vagina.
The IUD is a birth control method that is inserted by a health care provider through the vagina and through an opening in the cervix into the uterus. Here’s a helpful diagram and a video of the area in question. Depending upon the brand, it can be left in the uterus for up to 5-10 years before being removed. A string from the IUD may stick out from the cervix into the vagina, but that shouldn’t interfere with using a tampon.
So to answer your question: yep, you can absolutely use both. An IUD and a tampon are separated by the cervix, and don’t interfere with each other’s business.
-Nathan at Planned Parenthood
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