Your Body, Your Temple, Care for It
Welcome back, dear readers, to the second entry in our sex education series. Last time we tackled a very heavy and controversial subject, and that is why I decided to go for a topic a bit lighter this time. I’m going back to the basics and encouraging you to learn about the female body and its beauty with me.
Let’s kick off with the anatomy. Most biology classes in our country barely skim through the basics of the female reproductive system. They give you names and whatnot but a proper explanation is never given under the excuse of “We want our girls to stay innocent, chaste and bashful.” Learning about your body should not be seen as a negative thing. It should be encouraged. You can still be innocent, chaste and bashful even when you know how your body works and how to care for it.
Now, for our little biology lesson:
The female reproductive system has several functions. It produces the female egg cell necessary for reproduction, called the ovum. The ovum is then transported to the place of fertilization. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm -the male reproductive cell-, normally occurs in the Fallopian tubes. The next step for the fertilized egg is to implant itself into the walls of the uterus, beginning the initial stages of pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t happen, the monthly shedding of the uterine lining, more commonly known as the period, occurs. In addition, the female reproductive system produces female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle.
The anatomy of the female reproductive system has parts inside and outside the body. The internal parts include:
Now, the external parts, also known as the vulva, include:
Unfortunately, we don’t plan on going into full detail about a woman’s menstrual cycle as it is a big enough topic on its own. Though, we will talk about an important part of the cycle that has been constantly stigmatized in society, which is periods. Periods are a natural process that cleanses the body. It shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of or avoid talking about. But why does a period happen?
As we have established, during a woman’s monthly cycle, the uterus lines its inner walls with a thick lining, rich in blood vessels to nourish a baby in case of pregnancy. At the end of the month when fertilization doesn’t occur and there is no baby, the uterus starts to contract and shed the lining it created throughout the month. And that is the blood that leaves our bodies in the form of periods. The first day of a period is the start of a new cycle. Period blood flow may vary in amount (heavy, medium, low) from woman to woman and on different days of the period. Periods can last on average between 3-8 days.
Sanitary pads are used by women during periods to prevent the blood from staining their clothes. But did you know that it’s not the only product for this purpose? There are many alternatives for pads out there including tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear. Each of these four products has its advantages and disadvantages listed below:
Let’s kick off with the anatomy. Most biology classes in our country barely skim through the basics of the female reproductive system. They give you names and whatnot but a proper explanation is never given under the excuse of “We want our girls to stay innocent, chaste and bashful.” Learning about your body should not be seen as a negative thing. It should be encouraged. You can still be innocent, chaste and bashful even when you know how your body works and how to care for it.
Now, for our little biology lesson:
The anatomy of the female reproductive system has parts inside and outside the body. The internal parts include:
- Vagina: It is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) to the outside of the body. It’s also known as the birth canal. The vagina is where penetration of the penis -the male sex organ- occurs during sex. During periods, the blood leaves the body through the vagina as well.
- Uterus (womb): The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ where the baby develops during pregnancy. The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that is connected to the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. The cervix contains an opening or a canal that allows sperm to enter and period blood to exit.
- Ovaries: The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones.
- Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and connect it to the ovaries. They also serve as tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the Fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants itself into the lining of the uterine wall.
Now, the external parts, also known as the vulva, include:
- Labia majora: The labia majora enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. The literal translation is "large lips," the labia majora are relatively large and fleshy. The labia majora contain sweat and oil-secreting glands. After puberty, the labia majora are covered with hair.
- Labia minora: Literal translation is "small lips," the labia minora can be very small or up to 5 centimetres wide. They lie just inside the labia majora and surround the openings to the vagina and the urethra (the opening where urine comes out of our bodies when we pee). Outside of the labia and below the vaginal opening is the anus where undigested food, more commonly known as stools, come out of the body.
- Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive bud. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called the clit hood. The clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation.
Unfortunately, we don’t plan on going into full detail about a woman’s menstrual cycle as it is a big enough topic on its own. Though, we will talk about an important part of the cycle that has been constantly stigmatized in society, which is periods. Periods are a natural process that cleanses the body. It shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of or avoid talking about. But why does a period happen?
As we have established, during a woman’s monthly cycle, the uterus lines its inner walls with a thick lining, rich in blood vessels to nourish a baby in case of pregnancy. At the end of the month when fertilization doesn’t occur and there is no baby, the uterus starts to contract and shed the lining it created throughout the month. And that is the blood that leaves our bodies in the form of periods. The first day of a period is the start of a new cycle. Period blood flow may vary in amount (heavy, medium, low) from woman to woman and on different days of the period. Periods can last on average between 3-8 days.
Sanitary pads are used by women during periods to prevent the blood from staining their clothes. But did you know that it’s not the only product for this purpose? There are many alternatives for pads out there including tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear. Each of these four products has its advantages and disadvantages listed below:
1. Pads (external product, stuck to the underwear):
When women are on their periods, they experience fluctuations in their hormone levels which causes them to be moody. When the uterus is contracting to shed the lining, it causes cramps and pain. The following forms of pain are completely normal:
That being said, your period should be an inconvenience at worst. If you experience abnormal forms of pain, I implore you to get checked and visit a trusted gynaecologist:
Periods are often a tough time for the body, that’s why you need to give it extra care and comfort during that time. If you usually do a lot of physical labour, try to reduce it as much as you can when you’re on your period. Stay hydrated as it reduces the headaches that usually accompany periods. Regularly eat healthy balanced meals to rejuvenate your body and regain your vitamins and minerals. If you need to, take some supplements like zinc or magnesium to reduce inflammation and pain. Do consult a doctor before you take any supplements, though, be smart.
While on the topic of seeing doctors, during their cycles, women can produce discharge of various colours and textures. White creamy discharge or translucent egg-white consistency are both very normal. If your discharge comes in any other colour, please visit a gynaecologist. Don’t be shy or hesitant, this is your health!
One of the most common infections that affect the female reproductive system is yeast infection. It is accompanied by itchiness in the vagina and vulva and you get white, cheese-like discharge (it can sometimes be smelly). The vagina is naturally acidic, so when the pH in it gets imbalanced, it allows for a fungal infection. Contrary to popular belief, this can be caused by excessive use of soap near your vulva, especially antibacterial soap.
The most common causes of a yeast infection are:
You can avoid getting yeast infections by:
Lastly, I’d like to promote self-love in this article. You only get one body in this life and taking care of it and loving it is important. No matter what shape, colour, or size your vulva is, it’s beautiful. If you have hair, it’s completely normal. Everyone else does, embrace it. Everybody is different, learn how yours works and accommodate it. Make sure you’re comfortable. Don’t be ashamed to look at your body, touch it and learn about it. I hope you take this opportunity to read more into these subjects and learn more to have a happy and healthy life. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you next time!
- Advantages: very accessible and commonly used by everyone, easy to apply
- Disadvantages: not Eco-friendly and promotes single-use plastic, can be dangerous if not changed regularly (every 3-4 hours is the ideal time to change them), may cause discomfort and itchiness in some cases
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| Right: Tampon, Left: Tampon inside the applicator |
- Advantages: helps women to do activities they can’t usually do during their periods (like swimming, gymnastics and ballet), is practical and easy to use, reduces bad odour, reduces blood leaking and has different sizes to accommodate different types of blood flow.
- Disadvantages: needs time to get used to at first, absorbs useful bacteria that is present inside the vagina, similar to pads needs to be changed every 4 hours or will be dangerous
- Advantages: eco-friendly, sustainable and reduces plastic waste, least uncomfortable to use due to not causing itchiness, reusable, saves money (one-time purchase), reduces bad odour, washable
- Disadvantages: needs time to get used to and may seem intimidating at first, needs to be sterilized properly after every cycle, may cause infections if not properly sterilized, hard to find in Egypt due to misconceptions and unpopularity
- Advantages: reusable, easy to wear, can be in any size, the padding is thinner than pads so it will be more comfortable, washable
- Disadvantages: hard to change in public places, leakage may happen if not changed every 3-4 hours, it’s not available much in Egypt
When women are on their periods, they experience fluctuations in their hormone levels which causes them to be moody. When the uterus is contracting to shed the lining, it causes cramps and pain. The following forms of pain are completely normal:
- Throbbing in the lower abdomen
- Pain before period
- Dull and continuous ache
- Pain that reaches the lower back and/or thighs
- Nausea
- Loose stool or peeing too frequently
- Headache
That being said, your period should be an inconvenience at worst. If you experience abnormal forms of pain, I implore you to get checked and visit a trusted gynaecologist:
- Pain persists even after you take painkillers
- Pain interferes with your daily life
- Pain accompanied by heavy bleeding and clotting
- Suddenly you get severe cramps (never happened before)
- Pain with high fever
- Pain even when you’re not on your period
Periods are often a tough time for the body, that’s why you need to give it extra care and comfort during that time. If you usually do a lot of physical labour, try to reduce it as much as you can when you’re on your period. Stay hydrated as it reduces the headaches that usually accompany periods. Regularly eat healthy balanced meals to rejuvenate your body and regain your vitamins and minerals. If you need to, take some supplements like zinc or magnesium to reduce inflammation and pain. Do consult a doctor before you take any supplements, though, be smart.
While on the topic of seeing doctors, during their cycles, women can produce discharge of various colours and textures. White creamy discharge or translucent egg-white consistency are both very normal. If your discharge comes in any other colour, please visit a gynaecologist. Don’t be shy or hesitant, this is your health!
One of the most common infections that affect the female reproductive system is yeast infection. It is accompanied by itchiness in the vagina and vulva and you get white, cheese-like discharge (it can sometimes be smelly). The vagina is naturally acidic, so when the pH in it gets imbalanced, it allows for a fungal infection. Contrary to popular belief, this can be caused by excessive use of soap near your vulva, especially antibacterial soap.
The most common causes of a yeast infection are:
- Hormonal changes
- Taking antibiotics for a long time
- Wearing underwear that is too tight or synthetic
- Weakened immune system
- Wearing loose, comfortable clothing
- Use only water or very mild products while cleaning the vulva
- Avoid using scented products around the vulva
- Have a balanced diet to strengthen your immune system
Lastly, I’d like to promote self-love in this article. You only get one body in this life and taking care of it and loving it is important. No matter what shape, colour, or size your vulva is, it’s beautiful. If you have hair, it’s completely normal. Everyone else does, embrace it. Everybody is different, learn how yours works and accommodate it. Make sure you’re comfortable. Don’t be ashamed to look at your body, touch it and learn about it. I hope you take this opportunity to read more into these subjects and learn more to have a happy and healthy life. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you next time!