Personal Health
How to Keep Yourself Clean "Down There"
Body Hair & Maintenance
What Do You Really Think About Pubic Hair?
At puberty, everybody will begin to have hair that grows “down there.” This hair is called pubic hair, and it’s important to understand how to practice good hygiene. Believe it or not: pubic hair has a protective function by trapping bacteria. It protects against STIs and UTIs, the hair follicles prevent bacteria from reproducing, and it provides warmth to the genital area. If you remove your pubic hair, you may be more susceptible to bacterial infections, such as yeast infections. Removing pubic hair is a personal preference, and two main ways are by shaving or waxing. If you decide to remove pubic hair, make sure you look into how to safely do it. If you’re curious to hear what people think about pubic hair, watch this video.
pH Levels & Vaginal Care
The pH scale from 0 to 14 describes the acidity or alkalinity (basicness) of a substance. A pH of 7 is neutral and anything below it is acidic. The vagina has a healthy pH level. A normal vaginal pH is around 4 to 5 and it is slightly acidic to keep out bacteria. pH balance is important to keep the vagina clean and healthy. Here are some tips to maintain a healthy vaginal pH:
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Avoid harsh soaps and douching (internal cleansing of vagina): the chemicals in the fragrances can disrupt normal vaginal pH
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Practice safe sex: semen can throw off the pH because it is alkaline and encourages bacterial growth
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Eat probiotic-rich foods (e.g. yogurt, chia seeds, kefir): healthy bacteria can control vaginal pH
Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised Penis
When you are born, the penis has foreskin. Foreskin is a fold of skin that covers the head (glans) of the penis. For many different reasons (cultural, religious, aesthetic), people decide to remove their foreskin. The removal of foreskin is called circumcision, and you would have a circumcised penis. There is no difference in the penis function whether someone is circumcised or uncircumcised. The main difference is how you maintain cleanliness of the penis. For someone who is uncircumcised, they may need to put in extra effort to clean the foreskin. If you’re curious to learn more about possible benefits being circumcised vs. uncircumcised, watch this video.
Which is Better?
Keeping Yourself Informed About Common Health Issues
Health Issues that Involve Females: PCOS & Endometriosis
Health Issues that Involve All Genders: Yeast Infections & UTIs
Health Issues that Involve Males: Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction is the physical or psychological impact on a male’s ability to be aroused and can be caused by stress. The older a person gets, the more likely they are to get erectile dysfunction, but anyone is able to get it.
Reflection Questions
Body Hair & Maintenance: How does pubic hair have a protective function?
pH Levels & Vaginal Care: Why is it important to have an acidic vaginal pH?
Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised Penis: What is the difference in function between a circumcised vs. uncircumcised penis? (Hint: nothing)
PCOS: What ways can you manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Endometriosis: Where does the tissue grow instead of inside the uterus? What are a few symptoms that can occur?
Yeast Infections: Where do yeast infections grow for women?
UTIs: How can you avoid contracting UTIs?
Erectile Dysfunction: What is an erectile dysfunction?