Self-love means also caring for your yoni. For years, women openly discussing their yoni was taboo. Growing up, the only "yoni talk" between my Puerto Rican mother and I was, "You better not come in my house pregnant." My mother's words scared me straight, so I steered away from acknowledging my yoni altogether. My yoni and I were complete strangers. As I got older, the fear of exploring my yoni rolled into the lack of acceptance of my own body and sexual expression. It took me years to freely discover myself or even look at her.

Now, thanks to radical feminism and the body positivity movement on social media, I have fully embraced my yoni. I've learned taking great care of our yonis is a way of honoring our temple. The female anatomy is beautiful and you should never feel embarrassed or uncomfortable to connect with it. Since taking care of your yoni is indeed a form of self-care, here are 5 self-care practices for your vag, vajayjay, yoni, or if you're a millennial or a Gen Z-er, your WAP.

Don’t Curve Your Gyno

Shutterstock

Hey, I get it. I'm not thirsty for a pap smear either, but as a woman it's part of the job. For those of you who aren't familiar, a pap smear is a procedure used to collect cells from the cervix as a means to test for cervical cancer. Getting a pap smear can reduce the risk of cancer, STIs, and other health-related issues. According to sources like Women's Health, it is recommended that women get a pap smear every three years and/or during yearly wellness checks.

Cancel Douching, Consider Yoni Steaming Instead.

In recent years (thanks to Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle brand GOOP), yoni steaming has become very popular. Yoni steaming is a natural remedy facial for your vagina. The remedy stems from ancient medicine. Women are instructed to infuse a variety of herbs into a steaming pot of water. When the steam comes to a comfortable temperature, you may sit over it for anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. According to Healthline some benefits to steaming are allegedly hormone imbalance, generalized pain, stress, depression, and hemorrhoids.

Women have also praised yoni steaming for healing deep wounds from sexual trauma and honoring their womanhood. It is also celebrated for its alleged ability to restore balance as well as being a catalyst for healing. Steaming can be done at home or in spas that specialize in yoni steaming. It is best to take into consideration that yoni steaming has not been scientifically proven to improve vaginal health. If you attempt to partake, do so at your own risk.

Use Fragrance-Free Feminine Wash.

Shutterstock

According to Mary Bogel, a pelvic floor physical therapist who shared her thoughts with Elite Daily, using fragrance soap to clean your vagina can be too over-drying. Instead, she suggested using a castile soap or glycerin soap and advised women to look for soap with a pH between 5.3 and 7.3. Harsh-scented soaps are not needed to cleanse the vagina. The beautiful thing about our yoni is it contains a healthy amount of bacteria and it's also capable of self-cleaning. I love a good Lush bath bomb as much as the next person, but for the sake of yoni self-care, it's best to be mindful of such products. If you love to indulge in baths, please consider natural bath balms. DIY vaginal washes are also a great way to honor your yoni.

If You Don’t Use Condoms Or Lube, We Not Linking.

Part of honoring your yoni is protecting your temple. Safe sex is always great sex. According to the STD-Center, women have a 60-90% chance of being infected by another male. The chances of those women being women of color are even higher. Safe sex is also great with lube. Using lube helps enhance your sexual experience and is overall easier on your yoni. According to ippf.org, using lube decreases your chances of injury during sex. To find the best lubrication for you and your yoni, check out our article on the site, "If You've Always Wanted A 'Lubricant Cheat Sheet,' Here Ya Go".

Going Commando Hits Different!

Shutterstock

Yes, we know you are obsessed with your Savage x Fenty panties, but let her breathe honey! She needs her space! It's OK if you don't feel comfortable going commando during the day. Going commando while you are wearing jeans might not be a good fit, sis. However, going commando at night can be more of a practical choice for most women and allows you to still tap into the benefits of going commando. According to Healthline, going commando means fewer chances of having a yeast infection (not cute). Another added benefit is the reduced chances of vaginal odor.

At the end of the day, honor your yoni like she's Beyonce. We are queens and as queens, we need to pay homage to our yonis. Our yoni is the entryway to our kingdom, our energy, and our divine femininity. We hope you radically accept your yoni for the beauty she is and honor her the way she deserves.

Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!

Featured image by Shutterstock