Lady parts: an owner’s manual

We all need a refresher on what’s up down there.

Vajayjay. Hoo-ha. Kitty. You know the slang – but the inner workings and best care? “My patients are educated, uninhibited women, yet they have so much misinformation about their own bodies and sexual health,” says ob-gyn Dr Katharine O’connell White. “It can be hard to find reliable information, but you can’t make good sex-health decisions without it.” Here, the top things that still confuse modern women when it comes to…

… Conceiving “If you want to get pregnant, you should have sex every other day the week before your period and on ovulation day,” says Dr White. “Sperm last three to five days, but the egg lasts only up to 36 hours. So if you wait until after you ovulate, it’s possible the egg is already dying.” Unfortunately, only 10% of women know this, a study found. Having sex twice a day can also decrease your odds of conceiving. “By the time the egg is there, there’s way fewer sperm in his ejaculate.”

… Waxing Pubic hair follicles have touch receptors, which is why stroking skin in one direction is more pleasurable,” says ob-gyn Dr Jen Gunter. “If you wax those off, you can lose some sensations.”

… The word ‘vagina’

Many women use it when talking about their vulva. “No one would say ‘ankle’ when they mean ‘calf’!” says Dr Gunter. Knowing the difference helps you accurately describe symptoms and correctly apply topical medications. Dr Gunter’s rule: “If it touches your underwear, it’s your vulva. If you have to put your finger inside to reach it, that’s your vagina.” All settled.