Pelvic Health Archives ⋆ The Green Vagina

The Red Pee

November 7, 2018November 7, 2018

The Red Pee

I grew up in a family that didn’t talk. We didn’t talk about most things and especially didn’t talk about bodily functions. I knew that even uttering the word vagina or period under any circumstances was absolutely not acceptable and even as a grown woman I know not to mention anything of the sort.

To me, this was not ideal and I am raising my family differently. I want my children to understand and accept body normalities like menstruation without any sort of awkwardness. However, I also wanted to avoid overexposing them to the point where they’re passing out menstrual cups to their friends at soccer matches.

I believe we have achieved balance.

What is a Green Vagina + How Green is Yours?

November 1, 2018November 12, 2018

What is a Green Vagina + How Green is Yours?

When I started this website I struggled with the name. I considered a lot of options but decided to go bold. Go big or go home right? I wanted to focus on eco-friendly and toxin-free products and habits for one of the most sensitive, sacred and vascular parts of the body – the vagina.

As I suspected, the term “Green Vagina” is confusing to some. However, I see it as an opportunity for education. When people read Green Vagina they think…infection. However, most vaginal infections are white and cloudy, not green.

Green Vagina refers to eco-friendly. As in Go Green…with your vagina. Why Green Vaginas? Disposable menstrual products are some of the most toxin-filled things we put on and in our bodies. In addition, disposable vaginal products take hundreds of years to decompose. They litter the planet and just aren’t good for us.

So, how green is your vagina? Find out!

What is Vulvodynia – When Sex Hurts

October 10, 2018October 11, 2018

What is Vulvodynia – When Sex Hurts

The Mayo Clinic defines Vulvodynia (vul-voe-DIN-e-uh) as “chronic pain or discomfort around the opening of your vagina (vulva) for which there’s no identifiable cause and which lasts at least three months.” (1) However, what this doesn’t tell you is how it impacts the lives of persons with vulvodynia and what living with this sort of intimate pain means for individuals.

Symptoms are vague and the Mayo Clinic notes that they can come and go and be fairly unpredictable. Symptoms of Vulvodynia include burning, soreness, stinging, rawness, painful intercourse, throbbing, and itching. However, each individual is different and these symptoms may present and impact your life differently than someone else with vulvodynia.

Read Bailey’s Story Below:

Natural Menstrual Pain Remedies

August 10, 2018November 26, 2018

Natural menstrual pain remedies

I think it’s safe to say that most people know they can take an ibuprofen or Tylenol for menstrual pain and cramps. However, these pharmaceutical options overlook the many natural period pain remedies that are available. While some of them may not be available at your local pharmacy, they do not contain the side effects and precautions many pills do.

Here are natural cramp and period pain remedies to consider:

10 Signs You Have Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles

August 4, 2018August 5, 2018

10 Signs You Have Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles

The pelvic floor is a complex system of muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. This support sling closes the large opening in your pelvis and supports pelvic organs so they function properly. Having a weak pelvic floor can mean many different things: incontinence, different symptoms during the month as hormones change and even difficulty doing everyday tasks.

How do you know if you have a weak pelvic floor? There are signs to watch for:

How Your Period Will Save The World

July 3, 2018July 4, 2018

How Your Period Will Save The World

It’s a universal truth that plastic is not good for the environment. If you haven’t seen images of deceased whales washing to shore full of plastic and sea creatures caught in plastic products, microbeads in the bellies of fish and straws stuck in the nostrils of sea turtles…you are hiding under a wifi-less rock.

The truth is that menstruators will on average use over 9.1k tampons in their lifetime (1), and up to 15,000 plastic pads and/or tampons (2). This plastic will take generations to decompose and are already polluting our oceans and beaches at a devastating and growing rate. (3)

I have good news! Your Period Will Save The World! Here’s how:

What Shark Week Has to Do With Your Period

May 31, 2018May 31, 2018

Shark Week, Period.

When you hear shark week, you may think of a TV show with ocean footage and educational segments about sharks. However, shark week is often used to refer to one’s menstrual time.

Why Shark Week? Sharks are well known for their interest in blood, however, shark week goes beyond blood. Sharks have a nervous system that closely resembles menstrual anatomy.

Take a look below:

Does Your Feminine Wash Have Cancer-Causing Chemicals?

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018

Does Your Feminine Wash Have Cancer-Causing Chemicals? Natural Feminine Products are out there!

If you stroll down the “feminine” aisle at any supermarket or big box store you will quickly notice a huge assortment of products designed to leave your vulva smelling like a Christmas tree air freshener you’d see hanging from the rearview mirror of an antique car.

Probably not to your surprise, many of these products contain chemicals that are known carcinogens and/or have chemicals that break down into toxic shit. (1) Definitely not ingredients you want to be absorbed through the delicate skin of your vulva and vagina.

Despite the demand for full disclosure of the ingredients in these “feminine” products, big companies continue to put out garbage. Looking for natural feminine products? Check out my review of Elevated Woo Woo wash, Elevated Muffin Mist and Elevated Punani Paste.

Pad below is a custom I purchased from Silly Pando Co.

What are Yoni Eggs + How do they work?

January 13, 2018January 21, 2018

What are yoni eggs + How do they work?

One of the most common questions I get is “What are yoni eggs and how do they work?” Yoni eggs are one of many ways to strengthen the vagina and pelvic floor. In addition, Yoni eggs have been used for centuries. It’s estimated that they have been used for over 5,000 years! (1)

Yoni eggs are worn inside the vagina for exercise and come in various sizes and materials. In addition to strengthing the vagina and pelvic floor muscles, many believe that the different stones have unique benefits and are even used for vaginal weightlifting.

Take a look at my personal yoni eggs here and the affiliate I purchased them from.

Your Vagina is Not a Gaping Black Hole

January 4, 2018January 4, 2018

Your Vagina is Not a Gaping Black Hole

I have to get something off my chest. I understand period stigma, that perhaps we are not as forward as we’d like to think with equality…but vagina stigma has to stop. Now. Your vagina is not a gaping black hole made large by sex, tampons, menstrual cups or other insertion.

Here’s what it is and why you may think it’s a gaping tunnel fit for a commuter train.