Pelvic Health Archives ⋆ The Green Vagina

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, 2018August 22, 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.

Steam, it’s not just for your vegetables. It’s for your vagina.

August 14, 2017May 21, 2018

Vaginal steaming, V-Steaming or V-Steam

What’s vaginal steaming and should you do it? Vaginal steaming also known as v-steaming, v-steam or traditionally as yoni steaming. It’s is a technique “…whereby a woman squats or sits over steaming water containing herbs such as mugwort, rosemary, wormwood and basil.” (1) This process is widespread and has been practiced throughout history by many cultures.

Why would someone steam or smoke their vagina? Would you hover your vulva over a steaming hot pot of water and herbs? The details may surprise you.

clarycalm

August 8, 2017May 21, 2018

Clarycalm essential oils for your uterus

I am a skeptic. I’m not sure most of the products on the market work. Pharmaceutical products, natural products etc. and I love proving myself wrong. I started collecting essential oils when I became a Mom. I suddenly felt a burning desire to search for natural ingredients that have proven results. I always liked the way the oils smelled, but wanted to move past smell and into therapeutic use.

Therapeutic grade matters. Not all essential oils are the same. The process in which the oils are derived matters. Cold pressing typically produces therapeutic grade essential oils and any heating destroys the therapeutic properties. I have been drawn to doTerra oils because they do extensive testing and product therapeutic grade oils and blends.