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increase fluid)
In addition, if you have recently stopped taking birth control pills, you may notice one of two very different patterns: Either you may not produce much cervical fluid at all, or you may tend to have what appears to be continuous creamy cervical fluid for several months.
CERVICAL POSITION
In addition to emitting cervical fluid, your cervix goes through changes throughout your cycle. These changes can sometimes be felt by inserting a clean finger into your vagina (your middle finger is usually easiest, since itâs the longest).
The cervix is normally firm, like the tip of your nose, and becomes soft and rather mushy, like your lips, as you approach ovulation. In addition, it is normally fairly low and closed, and rises and opens only in response to the high levels of estrogen around ovulation. The angle of the cervix also changes around ovulation, becoming straighter when estrogen levels are high. (For more on the cervix )
Secondary Fertility Signs
Secondary fertility signs around ovulation may include pain or achiness near an ovary, increased sexual feelings, and abdominal bloating. Secondary fertility signs do not occur in all women, or in every cycle in individual women. Still, these signs, when apparent, can offer additional information to help identify fertile and infertile phases.
CHAPTER 2 Intro to sexual Health
A womanâs body and her sexuality have traditionally been understood and presented as the property and business of everyone but the woman herself. Many of us have been made to feel that knowledge about and care for our bodiesâparticularly those parts considered primarily sexualâare unnecessary, maybe even inappropriate. Yet learning how to take care of ourselves frees us to feel more comfortable in our bodies and with our sexuality, and enables us to take a more active role in monitoring and maintaining our health.
This chapter covers some steps you can take to protect your sexual and reproductive health, including what you can do for yourself and when to see a health care provider. It also describes what to expect at a gynecological visit and exam and how to advocate for the respectful, compassionate, individualized, and comprehensive care you deserve. Many of the topics addressed briefly in this chapter are covered in more depth in other chapters.
----
The first chapter in this book, âOur Female Bodies,â describes female sexual anatomy in depth. As you read this chapter, you may find it helpful to look back at the drawings, descriptions, and definitions included there.
----
VULVAR AND VAGINAL SELF-CARE
For the most part, the vulva and vagina need only basic care to stay healthy. Here are some tips to keep your vulva healthy and happy:
⢠Lay the groundwork. Eat well, get adequate sleep, and exercise regularly to help keep all parts of your body healthy.
⢠Have smart sex. Learn the sexual history of your partners and practice safer sex. (See Chapter 10 , âSafer Sexâ; and Chapter 11 , âSexually Transmitted Infections.â)
⢠Loosen up. Thongs can rub back and forth, and tight-fitting pants, spandex, and synthetic underwear can trap heat and moisture and cause irritation. Wear looser clothing and natural-fiber underwear such as cotton. Sleeping without underwear or anything tight allows some air to get to the vulvar area and helps keep the vulvar tissues healthy.
⢠Donât douche. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, so there is no need to wash inside or douche. In fact, douching can create unhealthy changes in the pH (acidity) and the balance of normal vaginal bacteria.
⢠Keep clean. To help prevent the spread of bacteria that could cause a urinary tract infection, wipe from front to back, reaching from behind, after a bowel movement.
⢠Use tampons wisely. Choose the right absorbency and change tampons every two to eight hours. (See âCommon Questions About Tampons,â )
⢠Donât overdo.
In addition, if you have recently stopped taking birth control pills, you may notice one of two very different patterns: Either you may not produce much cervical fluid at all, or you may tend to have what appears to be continuous creamy cervical fluid for several months.
CERVICAL POSITION
In addition to emitting cervical fluid, your cervix goes through changes throughout your cycle. These changes can sometimes be felt by inserting a clean finger into your vagina (your middle finger is usually easiest, since itâs the longest).
The cervix is normally firm, like the tip of your nose, and becomes soft and rather mushy, like your lips, as you approach ovulation. In addition, it is normally fairly low and closed, and rises and opens only in response to the high levels of estrogen around ovulation. The angle of the cervix also changes around ovulation, becoming straighter when estrogen levels are high. (For more on the cervix )
Secondary Fertility Signs
Secondary fertility signs around ovulation may include pain or achiness near an ovary, increased sexual feelings, and abdominal bloating. Secondary fertility signs do not occur in all women, or in every cycle in individual women. Still, these signs, when apparent, can offer additional information to help identify fertile and infertile phases.
CHAPTER 2 Intro to sexual Health
A womanâs body and her sexuality have traditionally been understood and presented as the property and business of everyone but the woman herself. Many of us have been made to feel that knowledge about and care for our bodiesâparticularly those parts considered primarily sexualâare unnecessary, maybe even inappropriate. Yet learning how to take care of ourselves frees us to feel more comfortable in our bodies and with our sexuality, and enables us to take a more active role in monitoring and maintaining our health.
This chapter covers some steps you can take to protect your sexual and reproductive health, including what you can do for yourself and when to see a health care provider. It also describes what to expect at a gynecological visit and exam and how to advocate for the respectful, compassionate, individualized, and comprehensive care you deserve. Many of the topics addressed briefly in this chapter are covered in more depth in other chapters.
----
The first chapter in this book, âOur Female Bodies,â describes female sexual anatomy in depth. As you read this chapter, you may find it helpful to look back at the drawings, descriptions, and definitions included there.
----
VULVAR AND VAGINAL SELF-CARE
For the most part, the vulva and vagina need only basic care to stay healthy. Here are some tips to keep your vulva healthy and happy:
⢠Lay the groundwork. Eat well, get adequate sleep, and exercise regularly to help keep all parts of your body healthy.
⢠Have smart sex. Learn the sexual history of your partners and practice safer sex. (See Chapter 10 , âSafer Sexâ; and Chapter 11 , âSexually Transmitted Infections.â)
⢠Loosen up. Thongs can rub back and forth, and tight-fitting pants, spandex, and synthetic underwear can trap heat and moisture and cause irritation. Wear looser clothing and natural-fiber underwear such as cotton. Sleeping without underwear or anything tight allows some air to get to the vulvar area and helps keep the vulvar tissues healthy.
⢠Donât douche. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, so there is no need to wash inside or douche. In fact, douching can create unhealthy changes in the pH (acidity) and the balance of normal vaginal bacteria.
⢠Keep clean. To help prevent the spread of bacteria that could cause a urinary tract infection, wipe from front to back, reaching from behind, after a bowel movement.
⢠Use tampons wisely. Choose the right absorbency and change tampons every two to eight hours. (See âCommon Questions About Tampons,â )
⢠Donât overdo.
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