Faq's on Women's Health.

1.Is it normal to be irregular when you first get your period?
Answer: Totally normal. You might skip a month. Then have a longer or shorter period. Then you might go back to a normal period. You get the picture. This process is important, though, because your body is learning to settle into a regular menstrual cycle. In a few months, your body should figure out which cycle is best for you. That might mean a period every 20 days, 28 days, 34 days, or something in between. Some girls have irregular periods their whole lives. But if the bleeding doesn’t become more regular, see a doctor, especially if you’re sexually active.

2.What are common menstrual problems?
Answer: During the menstrual cycle, sometimes the uterus contracts to help push the blood and tissue from your body. These contractions can cause the menstrual cramps you might feel during your period. They hurt. You can ease them by taking medicine, like Midol or Motrin, available in drugstores and supermarkets, or by doing yoga and relaxation exercises. It’s uncommon for cramps to be so bad that you have to spend the day in bed. If that happens, see a doctor. Another warning. Some girls feel cranky, tired, moody, bloated, achy, and irritable the week before their period begins. There is a name for this. It is called Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Some are lucky and have little or very mild symptoms. Others have a tough time functioning when PMS strikes. Again, if it’s that bad, talk to your health care provider.

3.I’m afraid that my vagina is too smelly to have oral sex. What should I do?
Answer: This is something plenty of girls and women worry about it, but usually it’s not a problem. If you’re healthy and take regular showers or baths, then your normal scent and taste is probably a turn-on to your partner. If not, then you can skip the oral sex and find other ways to give and receive pleasure.

4.When does puberty happen and what changes?
Answer: Sometime between ages 9 and 13, most girls go through puberty, a process that, in essence, changes your body from a child to an adult. Both boys and girls go through puberty.For girls, “breast budding” is usually the first sign that they’ve entered this exciting, but sometimes scary time. You’ll notice slight changes in the size and shape of your breasts as they begin to grow. Mood swings might follow. You might feel happy one second, sad and angry the next – without having any idea why you’re feeling that way. Blame the hormones. They’re surging through your body and making you feel a little crazy sometimes. It’s normal. Hang in there. It’ll pass.You can also blame the hormones for changes in the sweat and oil glands, which makes for blemishes and body odor. (Enter deodorant.) Hair will also begin to grow under your arms and around your vulva. The hair on your legs will become more coarse and dark. And your body will become more womanly,” with wider hips and larger breasts.Inside, the uterus, cervix, and ovaries are growing and maturing, too. Usually sometime in the middle of puberty, girls get their first menstrual period. While most adult women have a period about once a month, most girls have irregular periods during the first year or two of their menstrual cycles. Some women will always have irregular periods.

5.I have a smell and slight discharge coming out of my vagina. What is it, and is it normal?
Answer: First, it is totally normal. The vagina is a very clean part of a girl’s body. Each day, the vagina produces a clear discharge that helps cleanse it and flush out any harmful dirt or bacteria. In a way, it sort of washes itself out. Every girl has a scent and vaginal discharge, which she might notice on her underwear or on toilet paper.But scents and types of discharge differ from girl to girl. This scent can become stronger during certain times in the menstrual cycle or during sexual intercourse, but most of the time it’s slight. The discharge also changes throughout your cycle. Sometimes the discharge is thick, white, or pasty when you’re ovulating. It can also be clear and slippery you’re sexually aroused. This “wetness” or “lubrication” is designed to help anything inserted into the vagina go in more smoothly and easily. Again, it’s perfectly normal.Unfortunately, some people do think vaginas smell "bad" or "gross." But a female’s vaginal scent is a part of her. It’s anything but bad. Many douches and other feminine hygiene products on the market claim to “freshen up” the vagina. Steer clear of these products, since they contain chemicals that can irritate the vagina and make infection more likely. Manufacturers of these products want girls to think that the normal, healthy vaginal scent is actually dirty or bad. But this scent is normal and natural for girls who bathe regularly and are in good health.To keep the vagina smelling health and fine, wash the vulva daily with mild soap and warm water, and wear clean underwear (cotton is best because it breathes). For better vaginal health, you can also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink a lot of water.It's real important to know your "normal" vaginal scent, so you can tell if something is different. If you notice your vaginal odor getting stronger, notice changes in discharges, or feel itching or soreness, you might have a yeast infection or other type of problem.

6.What is bacterial vaginosis?
Answer: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women and is sometimes accompanied by discharge, odor, pain or burning. The discharge might have a fishy odor and look white or grey in color. BV develops when there is an imbalance in the bacteria normally found in the vagina, sometimes triggered by sexual intercourse. It can cause serious complications during pregnancy and is generally cured by taking antibiotics. Being sexually intimate with another person can trigger this infection in a female, but it is generally not considered to be passable from one partner to another.

7.What are yeast infections or thrush? How do you get rid of them?
Answer: Every woman has yeast organisms in her vagina naturally. But sometimes, yeast grows too much and causes an infection. This can happen for different reasons. Sometimes, antibiotics--medicine taken for infections--can actually cause a yeast infection (also known as thrush). That's because some antibiotics kill the "good" bacteria that keep other yeast from growing too much. Changes in your hormone levels--either from pregnancy or taking birth control pills--can also start yeast infections. Diabetes, which allows too much sugar in the urine and vagina, can also be a cause. And a girl can get a yeast infection if her vulva is damp from staying in a wet bathing suit or exercise clothes for a long time.Some girls get yeast infections more than others. To reduce the chances of getting one, avoid wearing tight pants, non-cotton underwear, and staying in wet clothes (a bathing suit or sweaty exercise clothes) for too long.Usually, the first symptom of a yeast infection is redness and itching around the vulva and inside the vagina. There can also be white, thick, clumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese. The vulva can be sore, too, or it may hurt to pee.If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor or health care provider. These infections are usually treated with antifungal creams or suppositories (medicine inserted into the vagina). This medicine can be bought without a prescription at most drugstores or supermarkets. Avoid having sex during a yeast infection, since it can affect your partner's body and the medicine can weaken latex. Often, if you have a yeast infection, your partner also has it (male or female partners). They will also need to be treated so that you don't pass it back and forth to each other. If your partner has given you oral sex when you have a yeast infection, it is possible for them to develop yeast in their mouth, called thrush. This is also easily treatable. If you keep getting yeast infections, it could be a sign of more serious problems, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Talk to your doctor or health care provider.

8.What is a vulva?
Answer:The vulva is the area between a female’s legs. It includes the two folds of skin called the labia, the clitoris, and three openings – the urethra, the vagina, and the anus. The urethra is a small hole at the top of the vulva. This is where females urinate. The second opening is the vagina, the largest of the three. It’s the place where a man puts his penis during vaginal intercourse, where a woman is fingered or other sex objects are inserted for sexual pleasure. Also, menstrual blood and babies come out of the vagina. The vagina is an incredibly elastic muscle that can stretch wide enough to allow a baby to pass through. The anus is the third opening. It’s located between a girl’s buttocks. It’s where feces leaves the body. Some people enjoy placing a penis or other object into the anus for pleasure.

9.What is the clitoris and what does it do? Is it the same as the G-spot?
Answer: The clitoris is a small bundle of nerve endings, located in the vulva near the urethra. The only function of the clitoris is to provide pleasure. Think of it as the orgasm button. Most women need to have their clitoris touched or rubbed in order to have an orgasm. The G-spot is totally different. About the size of a quarter, this famous pleasure spot is located on the top wall inside the vagina. The G-spot has a different texture than other areas inside the vagina. Some say that rubbing this spot gives them an orgasm. These orgasms sometimes deliver an ejaculation. That is, some girls come, spraying a fluid out of the urethra – not urine – during orgasm. Not every woman likes G-spot stimulation and many don’t ejaculate. Some women never experience orgasm this way.

10.What is the female G-Spot, and how do I find it?
Answer: The G-Spot is an area inside a woman's vagina. When the G-Spot is pressed, this touch stimulates a small system of glands and nerves lying on the other side of the vaginal wall. The only known function of the G-Spot is to produce pleasure.Imagine that when you put your fingers inside a woman there is a clock inside: pressing toward her pelvic bone is 12:00, pressing down toward her anus is 6:00. The G-Spot on most women is at 12:00. It is only about an inch inside the entrance to the vagina, and the skin feels soft and uneven, like a sponge. The tissue usually swells a little during intense stimulation.Some say that rubbing this spot feels really good and may also give them an orgasm or ejaculation, or both. That is, when some women feel sexually excited, they spray a fluid out of the urethra--not urine--during orgasm. Not every woman likes G-Spot stimulation and many women don't ejaculate. Some women never experience orgasm this way.This is a great opportunity for communication with your partner. Since each woman likes to be touched in a different way, this is a chance to talk about what exactly feels good, such as the place you are touching, the pressure, and the length of time. Most people would agree that communication is the gateway to pleasurable sexual experiences.

11.What is the urethra?
Answer: The urethra is a tube that carries urine (girls and guys) and semen (only guys) from inside the body to the outside. Both guys and girls have urethras. It is easier to see on guys because it is visible at the end of the penis. A girls' urethra is usually hidden from view by her labia (vaginal lips). For guys, the urethra is inside the penis and allows semen (cum) and urine to leave the body. When a guy is sexually excited and gets an erection, a valve shuts off the passageway between the bladder, where urine is stored, and the urethra. This makes it impossible for a guy to urinate (pee) and ejaculate at the same time. When a guy gets an erection, a gland inside the scrotum releases a fluid that comes out of the tip of the penis. This clear, sticky stuff is called pre-ejaculatory fluid. Pre-cum cleans out the inside of the urethra.The fluid makes the urethra less acidic and gives the sperm a better shot at surviving the trip from the male's testicles into the female's body, in search of an egg. Pre-cum fluid does not usually contain sperm. But if live sperm are inside a guy's urethra (because he ejaculated recently), the pre-cum can "pick up" the leftover sperm on its way through the urethra and out of the penis. If a guy pees after he ejaculates, that would kill leftover sperm. Pre-cum can carry sexually transmitted diseases, though, so a guy who's about to have intercourse should put on a condom as soon as he gets an erection.

12.I’m a girl and sometimes I worry about the way I look “down there.” How do I know if I’m normal?
Answer: Lots of women wonder about this, especially since vulvas and vaginas are "hidden parts" of the human body. Think about it. Since women do not walk around showing their vulvas to each other, there is no way to compare your vulva or vagina to other women. But even if you could, you would find that vulvas and vaginas are all very different and there is no such thing as “normal.” Like your smile, your eyes, your hands or any other part of your body, your genitals are unique to you.

13.What products should I use during my period?
Answer: During your period, you typically release about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fluid. Doesn’t sound like much, but it definitely calls for some protection.You have two basic choices: sanitary pads or tampons, both commonly available in drugstores and supermarkets. Pads come in a lot of different shapes and sizes – maxi pads for heavy days, minipads for light ones. They’re backed with adhesive that attaches the pads to your underwear to absorb the fluid. Tampons also come in various sizes – regular, medium, super – and are designed for different flows. They’re inserted inside the vagina and are a good choice if you’re going swimming or just don’t want to wear a pad.Tampons must be changed every four to six hours to prevent the possibility of an illness called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Wearing tampons (especially the super absorbent kind when your flow is normal) for a long time traps bacteria inside your vagina and can cause TSS. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, headache, dizziness, sore throat and a rash or peeling skin on your hands and feet. It is rare and can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough. An alternative to tampons are products such as Instead and the Diva Cup. They are pretty new on the market and some women love them. Avoid scented menstrual products and douching. They can irritate the vagina and really aren’t necessary.

14.What happens during menstruation?
Answer: Menstruation is one part of the female cycle that occurs each month. The cycle starts with ovulation. Your ovaries are located up inside your abdomen. They contain all the eggs (ova) you’ll ever have that could become fertilized by a male’s sperm. Each month, an egg (ovum) matures and pops out of one of the two ovaries. This is called ovulation. Females usually start ovulating during puberty. The egg travels from your ovary, through the fallopian tubes, and toward your uterus. As the egg travels, it sends a signal to your body to develop a thick lining of blood and tissue inside the uterus. The job of this lining is to help the egg attach to your uterus, should it meet up with a sperm and become fertilized. If this happens, the egg latches on to the thick lining of tissue and blood, and a pregnancy begins.Now, if there’s no fertilization, there’s no pregnancy and no need for that thick lining to nourish a pregnancy. The egg dies and the uterus releases the blood and tissue. That lining is your period. The blood and tissue usually leave your body slowly over five to seven days.Ovulation occurs about 14 days before you begin bleeding or menstruating, which is when a woman is most likely to get pregnant. Eggs only live about 24 to 36 hours. But ovulation can be unpredictable, so it’s important to use birth control any time you decide to have sexual intercourse, no matter what time of month.

15.Should I shave my pubic hair?
Answer: It’s really a personal choice. Truth is, most women don’t shave their pubic hair, but some do. Pubic hair does serve a purpose. It provides warmth and padding, and traps dirt and germs that can get inside and cause an infection. When people shave their pubic hair, they usually itch while the hair grows back. This sensitive skin area can also become irritated and sore without hair covering it. If you do decide to shave, use a new, clean razor and lots of soap or shaving cream. Shave in the direction of the hair growth. Then put on some lotion or powder to stave off itching and irritation.

16.Breasts: What's their purpose?
Answer: The breasts are wonderfully versatile body parts. They’re built to be a baby’s first source of nutrition. And they’re also part of your sexuality, a sensitive area that, when touched, can give pleasure. Breasts come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors – all beautiful in their own way. (So, stop worrying about how your breasts compare to others!) Even though breasts may look different, they all have pretty much the same parts. The light pink to dark brown circle in the center of each breast is called the areola. The smaller part inside the areola is the nipple. Some women also have smaller bumps in the areola, and some have hair growing out of the areola, and that is normal. Some women have very large areolas and some women have very small areolas. Some women have nipples that stick out, and others have ones that never surface. Some breasts are round and others are long.Breasts play a dual role. Inside, breasts are made up of fatty tissue and milk ducts. When a mother decides to breast feed, her baby receives not only nutrition but also protective antibodies from her breast milk. Not all women decide to breast feed, but doctors say it gives infants the best form of nutrition.Breasts are also sexual. When they’re touched, the nipples often fill with blood and become firm. This can happen when a woman is sexually excited, and when she’s cold. Some women say they like their breasts to be touched sexually. But others say they’d just as soon skip that type of touching.While you may not need to worry about breast cancer now, it is something you should know about. You should know what your breasts feel like so if there are any changes – like a lump developing – you know it sooner rather than later. That’s why doctors recommend women do a breast self-exam at least once a month. The best time to do an exam is right after your period ends. You use your fingertips to gently feel your breasts and under your arms to check for any lumps or swellings.

17.Does my vagina look the way it should?
Answer:Vaginas come in all different shapes and sizes, just as other parts of the body do, so there is no set way that a vagina should look. A woman's sex organs are protected by two thick folds of skin or "lips" called the outer labia. Inside these is another set of lips known as the inner labia. These are thinner than the outer labia and are usually slightly different lengths. In some women the inner labia will stick out below the outer labia. In other women it will be the other way round. Women also have a clitoris, which is a small sensitive bump a little way above the urethra (urine hole) and the entrance to the vagina.