This TikToker Is Creating A Safe Space For Women To Talk About Bacterial Vaginosis
As common as bacterial vaginosis (BV) is, no one likes to talk about it. And why would they want to? It’s an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina that upsets the pH balance and can lead to a fishy smell, abnormal discharge, itching, and/or burning during urination. But there is one woman who decided to share her experiences with BV on TikTok and has garnered an audience of women who can also relate.
Roxanne Ramsey made a TikTok video venting her frustrations about BV after a doctor’s appointment, and from there she has continued to share stories and provide tips on treating BV, yeast infections, and UTIs.
@roxanneramsey I’m still shook by the amount of support I get and the community WE created! Y’all are really my besties!💕👯♀️👯♀️👯♀️#bacterialvaginosis #girlssupportgirls #girltalk #femininehealth
Roxanne spoke with YahooLife about the outpouring of support she has received since being open about her struggles. “I was really frustrated with the doctor," she said, "and after the appointment, I made a TikTok just to express my frustration."
In her initial video, she shared how her doctors didn’t believe that she was getting BV from having sex, something she was dealing with for years. She ultimately went to see a specialist that validated her suspicions and has since received the proper treatment.
From there, Roxanne began sharing tools and advice for her followers to help other women going through the same things.
@roxanneramsey 😅
♬ original sound - Kourtney D Butler
"I just want to open the conversation so that everybody can be open to talk about it,” she said. “If you have a discharge, and you don't know what it is, you're comfortable enough to comment in the comments and say, 'Hey, guys, I got a green discharge. Is it just me or is it normal?'"
Some of her videos include how you can do an at-home BV test, how to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office, and her favorite products to use.
One of the tips she seems to share often in her videos is for women to see a UroGYN and test for ureaplasma, which is a bacteria that is found in the urinary or genital tract that is commonly passed through sex.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that non-white women have the highest rates of BV with Black women accounting for 51%. Some of the causes of BV are sex with a new partner or multiple partners, not using a condom, and douching.
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Featured image via TikTok
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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Tyler James Williams Explains Why His And Quinta Brunson 'Abbott Elementary' Characters Should Remain Friends
While Abbott Elementary fans are hoping that Janine and Gregory end up together, the show’s star has another take. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory on the Emmy award-winning sitcom, and he recently stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show to share his point of view on his storyline with Janine, which Quinta Brunson plays.
“I hate to say it. I know that everybody’s always mad at me for this. I don’t necessarily want to see them together,” he revealed. “It’s partially an actor’s choice, but also somebody who, like, I read a lot of scripts all the time. I watch a lot of TV, a lot of film. I don’t think that we see displays of platonic love between two people often. I think it’s really easy to go right to they have feelings for each other, therefore they should be together. I like this dynamic of exploring withholding that and just actively loving each other where they are. That I like to see more.”
If you recall, they were co-workers who became friends but were secretly crushing on each other. They’ve had many awkward run-ins during and after school, like the unforgettable club scene where they were dancing nervously with each other in season one, and in season two, they finally kiss. However, it only made things even more awkward, and they decided to just be friends. Tyler further explained why he thinks it’s important to showcase that type of relationship on screen.
“I think it’s time for that. I think TV allows people to see things that could be their lives for the first time, and I think seeing a healthy friendship that is deeply caring about one another in a work atmosphere needs to be shown more than the relationship,” he concluded.
Abbott Elementary comes on every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
