Have You Ever "Spring Cleaned" Your Vagina Before?
Whew. It's already March and I'm assuming that a lot of you are asking the same question about 2021 that I am—where is the time going? Since the 20th of this month marks the official beginning of spring, I thought I would do a few articles surrounding spring cleaning. As you can tell by the title, this one is gonna be about spring cleaning your vagina.
I know. It might sound a little funny at first but trust me when I say that it's absolutely not clickbait. While I'm hoping that cleaning your vulva (you don't need to clean your actual vagina because it's self-cleaning) is a regular occurrence, what this is about to explore are ways that you can get to the baseboards of that area, so to speak. Like, you know how when you spring clean your house, you clean the baseboards? This is going to offer up 10 ways to give your vagina some extra special attention as you head into warmer weather and maybe even some "spring fever" opportunities. #wink
1. Up Your Vitamin C Intake
When it comes to what you can actually take in order to obtain vaginal health, probiotics are typically what come up the most often. They provide your body with more "good bacteria" so that the bad bacteria doesn't eventually lead to something like a yeast infection. Well, if there is a second place of things to consume to keep your vagina on the up and up, I think Vitamin C is the way to go. Not only is it loaded with antioxidants that can help to strengthen your immune system and keep free radicals at bay, Vitamin C has the ability to increase the acidity of your vagina so that harmful bacteria is not able to thrive. You can get this particular nutrient into your system by taking a supplement or you can eat foods like berries, peppers, broccoli, potatoes and citrus fruit to get a good dose of it into your system.
2. Take Some Chaste Tree Berry
If you've never heard of this particular herb before, don't feel bad. I do my best to share certain ones that don't come up in normal conversation because many have some really impressive health benefits. The awesome thing about Chaste Tree Berry is it can actually increase progesterone levels in your body. What's cool about that is the end result can lead to more regulated (and less heavy) periods, less PMS, a decrease in menopausal-related symptoms and, it can even help to increase your fertility levels (if you're trying to conceive) too.
That said, do keep in mind that herbs aren't candy. Some are quite potent. So, if this is something that you want to add to your regular diet, run it by your doctor first. Just make sure to avoid using chaste tree bark if you're pregnant. Also, it's important to keep in mind that it could take anywhere from 3-6 months before you start seeing some significant results.
3. Get Some New Cotton Undies
Tell the truth, shame the devil. When's the last time you bought some new underwear? If it was this time last year, that's close to being ridiculous because we're actually supposed to cop new pairs every 6-12 months. When you think about the discharge, period blood and even tiny bits of fecal matter that panties collect over time, you should want to get some fresh ones, anyway. As far as which ones, fabric-wise, are best for your vagina's overall health and well-being, breathable fabrics (like organic cotton) are the lick. As far as the kind/cut that you should go with, a lot of that is totally up to you. Just make sure to keep in mind that thongs can irritate your va-jay-jay and also trigger an infection over time and sometimes boy shorts are too much fabric. Bikini cut and hipsters are a happy medium. Please get the right size, though, because there is no point in having a breathable fabric if your panties are tight AF.
4. Balance Your pH Level
As far as spring cleaning goes, one of the best things that you can do for your vagina is make sure that its pH balance is right where it should be. For the record, a healthy vagina is supposed to be somewhat acidic and hovering somewhere around 3.8 and 4.5. The reason why it needs to be acidic is because that's what helps to keep the bacteria from turning into some sort of overgrowth. And what are the signs that your vagina is way more alkaline than it needs to be? If there's a dramatic change in color, texture or smell, those are dead giveaways.
One way to know for sure (if you don't have the money or time to see your doctor) is to take an at-home pH test. If it is a little "off", try taking a probiotic supplement, eating more fermented (like pickles and yogurt) and sulfur-based (like garlic and onions) foods, eat less sugar and lower your stress levels. If nothing improves in about a week, make an appointment to see your physician anyway. You may have some sort of infection that requires extra testing and/or a prescribed antibiotic.
5. Upgrade Your Sanitary Stuff
When it comes to my personal vaginal health and, what I call, "period convenience", something that has totally changed my life for the better is a menstrual cup. But if you would still prefer to go with tampons and/or pads, another vaginal spring cleaning tip that I would recommend is going with organic brands. Not only are they free of potentially irritating things like pesticides and dye that could lead to recurring yeast infections and BV or even certain diseases up the road, organic brands can actually help to lessen period cramps and prevent skin issues such as dermatitis.
If you need a little help in choosing which brands are best, Glowing Nest did a review on organic pads that you can check out by clicking here and Influenster did a review on organic tampons that you can check out here.
6. Clean Your Clitoral Hood
I've shared before that I once read about a woman whose clitoral hood was so swollen and irritated that her doctor ended up having to cut her hood off. Eww. The problem was there was so much hair, dried discharge, lint and overall gunk in there that the extra skin had to be removed in order to get it all out (whew). It got to that point because she didn't clean her clitoral hood.
I know it's not really something that we think about a lot but just to put everything into perspective—how would you feel if your man was uncircumcised and never cleaned his foreskin? A clitoris is a lot like a little penis in the sense that it's got a ton of nerve endings and it gets erect when it's aroused. And the hood of it? That is the foreskin. So yeah, once a month or so, dip a Q-tip in some olive, sweet almond or coconut oil, very gently push the hood back (as far as it will comfortably go) and rub the tip in order to dislodge what may be underneath. If your clitoris has been itching lately and you're pretty sure it's not an infection of some sort, it needing to be "spring cleaned" is probably the problem.
7. Schedule a Wax Appointment
It was literally this year that I started waxing. It started with my eyebrows because, for some reason, my threader seemed to be on a mission to thin mine out as much as possible. Yet as I became more comfortable with my totally bomb waxer, I decided that I was tired of literally bending over backwards to try and remove the stray hairs along parts of the inside of my butt (including what she calls the "coin purse" which is right where the crease of the butt begins). I had her do it instead. And man! It has been life-changing. It wasn't painful (just a little uncomfortable, but it's over really fast) and it lasts for weeks on end.
She's been trying to talk me into a Brazilian. I'm good on that. I like having grown woman hairs around my vagina. But what I will say is, as far as spring cleaning your vagina goes, if you want to tame some hairs or remove them altogether so that you can feel really clean and fresh down below, making a wax appointment is 1000 percent the way to go.
8. Condition Your Pubic Hair
Question. When's the last time you conditioned your pubic hair? I wouldn't be surprised in the least if it's something that you haven't exactly considered before but why wouldn't you do it every once in a while? Hair, anywhere, that is deeply moisturized can end up feeling smoother and being so much easier to manage. And in this case, if you happen to go with a conditioner that is high in vitamins A and E, it can help to unclog pores and prevent ingrown hairs.
The key is to make sure that you only apply the conditioner only where your pubic hair is and that you don't get any inside of your vagina (because that could irritate it). Let the conditioner sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. If you do this for about a week, you will notice a really big difference. (Feel free to add some Vitamin E oil at the end for some additional sheen.)
9. Sanitize Your Sex Toys
If you've got a stash of sex toys, now is a good a time as any to give them a really thorough cleaning. Make sure that you go with an antibacterial kind that is unscented because that will significantly decrease the chances of your clean toys irritating you once you're ready to use them again. If your toy happens to vibrate, wash it with a clean washcloth. If it doesn't, you can run it underneath some warm water and then clean it with the cloth. If your toys happen to be made out of glass, silicone or stainless-steel, you can actually boil them for 3-5 minutes in order to completely sterilize them. In any case, once you're done cleaning them, you can let them air dry.
10. Get Some “Naked in the Bed” Bedding
Definitely, one of the best things that you could ever do for your vagina is sleep in the buff. It's just one more way for your vagina to breathe since it's been cooped up in layers of clothing all day long. That said, one thing that a lot of people don't really think about is the kind of bedding that they should sleep naked in. Natural fibers are definitely the way to go. Organic cotton is great. So is bamboo. They are both breathable, soft and able to keep your body cool throughout the night. Hey, new sheets are supposed to be purchased every 2-3 years, so in the spirit of spring cleaning your vagina, why not get a couple of new sets this month? You'll adore it and your vagina will even more. Happy cleaning!
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When you think of a Virgo, you think of Beyoncé, Zendaya, Idris Elba, Keke Palmer, and more. You think of the type of celebrities that have made their presence known through their tact, dignity, and work ethic. Individuals who own their skillset, yet also embrace a humble sort of approach to how they choose to express themselves and all they have done and accomplished.
Virgos are the type of people who will dedicate their whole lives to their careers but won’t sacrifice their vision or their personal taste in the process. They are the taskmasters of the zodiac, and the success of this earth sign is not only earned, but it is highly admirable.
Have you ever wondered why Beyoncé seems to do more in 24 hours than the average person? We have all heard the saying, “What Would Beyoncé Do?” when debating on how to move forward with something, and that is because Virgos can see solutions and the time it will take to execute said solution within seconds after presenting them with something. Virgos are the type of people you want on your team or leading the team altogether because they know what it takes to get the job done. In addition to making her mark in the haircare game with CÉCRED, Beyoncé has released three works of art within the past five years, each album its own entity and its own piece of her.
Beyoncé celebrates the launch of her hair care line, CÉCRED, with an intimate gathering.Julian Dakdouk/Parkwood Media/WireImage via Parkwood
Virgos are a mutable sign, once you think you fully understand them, they will do something that keeps you on your toes. Hence, Beyoncé's newest work of art, her country-inspired album, Cowboy Carter, has fully shaken the music industry and changed the way we look at different genres and what is possible for its artists.
If you ask a Virgo what it means to be a Virgo, they’re going to say, “Beyoncé is a Virgo.” They know the weight those words hold and that by saying that alone, you get the full picture of what it means to be a Virgo.
"That Beyoncé, at 42, having worked in the entertainment industry since she was a teenager, is still conquering new charts is a testament to her work ethic, longevity and sheer cultural staying power," @KarenAttiah writes. https://t.co/o9wbBTcdyh
— Washington Post Opinions (@PostOpinions) April 7, 2024
No one is more proud to be a Virgo than Beyoncé, and no other zodiac sign is more proud to share a sign with a celebrity like Beyoncé than other Virgos. Her songs, "Virgo’s Groove," "Spaghetti," "Gift from Virgo," and the classic, "Signs," all showcase Beyoncé's love for the Virgo Maiden.
Virgos own their presence and stand by the work they do because they don’t do anything that doesn’t align with who they are. Virgos are perfectionists, but you can’t help but admire the fact that someone cares enough to want to make something perfect in the first place.
This dedication to their work is commendable, which is often why people look at these Virgo celebrities like Beyoncé in complete awe.
Virgos are so lucky.
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) July 29, 2022
A Virgo’s mind is like a computer, they are constantly analyzing information, figuring out what serves and what doesn’t, and making sure they have all the details. Virgos pay close attention to everything, and a lot of this has to do with the fact that they are Mercury-ruled as Mercury is their planetary ruler. Being a Mercurian is being someone who is ruled by the mind, and who is constantly receiving and seeking new information and insight. Virgos are organized, pragmatic, hard-working, intelligent, and love to help and be of service to others.
In Astrology, Virgo rules the 6th house which is the area of life that has to do with daily routine, lifestyle, work, health, colleagues, acts of service, and overall wellness. They do everything at 100% and you can see it in the results they bring.
Virgos don’t miss a beat, and you can look at all of Zendaya’s work and runway looks to support that statement.
Zendaya attends the World Premiere of 'Dune: Part Two' in 2024.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The roles she has played throughout her career have all been vastly different, yet she has excelled in everyone and has created her own space in Hollywood. Virgos take one project and will not only accomplish it but will then look to top it and see how much further they can evolve from there.
Zendaya began her career in acting and has now produced for Euphoria, the Netflix film, Malcolm & Marie, and has goals to step into the director chair one day. This is the progression of Virgo.
Denis Villeneuve and Spielberg talking about Zendaya and how Denis could see her as a director 😊 pic.twitter.com/zPQCA0FUOM
— Justin (@jerstonfilm) March 26, 2024
Following the success of this year'sDune: Part Two, Zendaya’s new movie, The Challengers opens another new door for Zendaya and showcases the wide range this powerhouse is capable of. A Virgo is always trying to do better than who they were yesterday, and people close to them can attest to this.
So many fellow peers and colleagues who work with Zendaya rave about her work ethic and how much dedication she puts into what she does, and that energy translates on screen and to her fan base as well. Virgos are highly involved in everything they do and Zendaya’s press tour looks whenever she is working on a new project highlights that.
Zendaya’s red hair during the Spider-Man press tour, something seemingly so small, had such an impact because of her attention to detail. Or any of Zendaya’s Met Gala looks which always make the top list of best-dressed celebrities. Her attention to detail might even extend to her beauty choices as the starlet even once said toVogue Australia that she preferred to do her own makeup because, "I’m a Virgo and I know what I like."
Zendaya attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Met.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for New York Magazine
Virgos have a way of making efficiency look easy, effortless even. You give them a task, they are going to understand the assignment. These are the type of people who will work enthusiastically with you, and who love to feel like what they do or what they say, can truly have an impact on people. Virgo celebrities showcase this earth sign well, and their high standards translate into quality work. They think through everything, and their professionalism is often what leads them to success in life.
Just know, while you are sleeping, there is a Virgo out there who is working or thinking about their next move, and this is a sign that deserves all her flowers.
Honorable Virgo Celebrity Mentions:Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Tyler Perry, Michael Jackson, Kat Williams, Cassie, Jada Pinkett Smith, Wiz Khalifa, Justine Skye, Jodie Turner-Smith, Sanaa Lathan, Angela Simmons, Ava DuVernay, Ludacris, Nas, Sofia Richie, Metro Boomin, Lil Yachty, Damon Wayans, Dave Chappelle, and more.
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Featured image by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage