| GENITAL/VAGINAL HEALTH:
What do you mean when you say ‘genital’ health?
Genital
is a broad term including the external and internal reproductive
organs. For women that includes the vulva, vagina, and cervix.
Genital Health refers to keeping these areas of your body healthy.
The vulva is the external genital area and includes:
mons pubis (area where pubic hair grows) labia majora (outer lips) labia minora (inner lips) clitoris (sensitive area found at the top of the outer lips) introitus (opening of the vagina)
The vagina is the opening in the body where:
blood comes out during your period passageway for babies to get from the mother’s womb (uterus) to the outside world where a man’s penis is inserted during sexual intercourse.
The cervix is found inside the vagina.
It is the bottom part of the womb (uterus). There
is a small opening in the cervix (cervical os) which is where the sperm
have to swim through to get into the uterus and the upper area of the
reproductive tract to fertilize the egg. When
a woman is pregnant, it is the cervix that opens (dilates) during labor
contractions that allows the passage of the infant from the uterus
through the vagina.
What is a pap smear and why should I have an annual exam?
An annual exam is a general physical done by your health care provider including:
General exam of your skin, all over your body The exam may also include; eyes, ears, nose, mouth, thyroid, heart, lungs, breast exam, abdomen, arms, and legs Examination of genital area; checking for abnormal looking skin or any lumps, bumps, or lesions that may be present A
speculum (device that gently opens the vagina) is used to look inside
the vagina; the skin of vagina is checked out to make sure it looks
healthy and a pap smear is done – A pap smear is a very specific test
that is used to detect cancerous cells on the cervix (HPV Section)Other
lab tests may be done, such as a screening for Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STI’s), pregnancy tests, or other tests that may be
recommended by your health care provider The
last part of the annual exam/physical is the pelvic exam. The pelvic
exam is used to evaluate the size and location of the uterus, fallopian
tubes, and ovaries. For this exam your health care provider will
insert one or two fingers into the vagina and use the other hand to
press on your lower abdomen. This part of the exam is helpful in
diagnosing uterine problems, vaginal problems, ovarian cysts or cancer.
I have discharge from the vagina, Is that bad?
Vaginal discharge is normal for most women and often changes slightly in color and consistency throughout the month.
Normal discharge is often clear to off-white and may be just a little or a lot, everyone is different. Abnormal discharge may be yellow, green, smell bad, and cause vulva itching or burning. Abnormal discharge may be a sign of a vaginal infection. Many sexually transmitted infections do not cause any symptoms.
Link to Our Bodies Ourselves companion website:
www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/default.asp |
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