Our "Green" Inipads™ are Helping the "Green Menstruation" Revolution!

What is "Green Menstruation"?

Green Menstruation -  is "choosing to be personally responsible for your menstruation and menstrual fluids, as well as your choices in feminine hygiene products, all of which can have significant and long-term (negative)consequences on 'everyone's health' and 'everyone's environment.'"

More and more people are becoming aware of the damage and harm their personal consumer choices have on the environment, and their personal health. This has now reached the feminine hygiene markets with new choices for women who can now "go green" with their monthly menstruation flows. The net result is that with these greater choices and ability to be green with their menstruation, more and more women are, in fact, choosing "Green Menstruation" optionsand feminine hygiene products.

Recenttrends are emerging that indicate there is a growing backlash against productsthat have negative and long-lasting effects on the environment, and thisincludes used and discarded Feminine Hygiene products that may take hundreds ofyears to decompose in a landfill.

And when just one woman can use as many as 12,000 pads, tampons, and pantiliners over the course of her menstruating life, that adds up to a considerable burdenon our landfills and the environment. Especially when these feminine hygiene products are made from synthetic materials as opposed to materials such asorganically grown cotton.

There are increasingly greater amounts of Green Menstruation products such as:

Natural Sea Sponge Tampons

Natural Sea Sponge tampons are made from "sea sponges" that naturally grow in theoceans and can be cultivated and harvested like any "land crop." After the sea sponge reaches harvest-size, they are then harvested and are thencleaned, disinfected, trimmed and re-shaped to "vagina-size."

Sea Sponge Tampons are worn inside the vagina just like a tampon duringmenstruation, and they absorb the menstrual flow just like a tampon. Unlike a tampon, a natural sea sponge tampon can be reused over and over again -of course, you will want to disinfect each Sea Sponge Tampon before re-insertinginto the vagina!

Sea Sponge Tampons are similar to regular tampons in that they are comfortable to wear, they work like a tampon, and have the added benefit that they will not dry out your vagina like a typical tampon will toward the end ofyour period.

After you receive your new Sea Sponge Tampons, you will want to see how they feel inside your vagina before your next period.  If the Sea Sponge Tampon feels too big, you can use scissors to cut or trim away some of the Sea Sponge Tampon to make it a more comfortable fit that best conforms to your own vagina.

Menstrual Cups

Menstrual Cups are small cups that are worn inside the vagina that "catch" the menstrual fluids during menstruation.  There are several brands of Menstrual Cups that are made from various materials.

Instead of changing a tampon every several hours, women using Menstrual Cups simply removes the menstrual cup from their vagina by the tip, and pull it out. The best time to do this is when going to the bathroom and sitting on the toilet where she can simply empty the menstrual fluids collected in her menstrual cup, right into the toilet.  She may have a spare menstrual cup in her purse,or, she can simply place some toilet paper in her panties – walk over to the sink, and wash out the menstrual cup, and return to the stall, replacing thetoilet paper by re-inserting the clean menstrual cup back into the vagina.

Menstrual Cups can last up to 10 years or longer.  They come in 2 sizes – beforevaginal childbirth size – and after vaginal childbirth size.

Organic Cotton Tampons, Menstrual Pads and Pantiliners

If you're going to use a feminine hygiene product that is worn inside your vagina,or next to your vulva, shouldn't it be made from a source that is as natural asit can possibly be, and made from materials that were grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other poisons?!?  Especially since your used and discarded feminine hygiene products may spend several hundred years decomposing in a landfill!

Our recommendations – if you are going to use a feminine hygiene product that isgoing to outlast you by several hundred years, is to choose feminine hygiene products that are made from certified, organically grown cotton which is best for you and everyone else's environment!

Yes,there are now several feminine hygiene products, including organiccotton tampons, pads and pantiliners, that are now made from certified,organically-grown cotton!

All About Menstruation, or Menstruation 101 and Your Daughters First Period (Menarche)

When do girls become young ladies, i.e. start to menstruate?

Many people recognize the transition of a little girl into a young lady when she hasher first period.  "Menarche" is a young lady's firstmenstruation, or the date she has her first menstrual period, and when she begins menstruating.

A young lady's first period or menarche usually begins between the ages of 9 and 14,although sometimes as early as 8 and as late as 16. Her first period is also asign that pubertyhas begun.

For more information about your daughter's puberty, see our article; Puberty: When Your Daughter Becomes a Young Woman.

When will a woman's periods/monthly menstruation stop?

Women normally menstruate until they are 45 to 55 years old, when menopause begins. Menopause is when a female stops menstruation. An operation called a hysterectomy, which removes some or all of the female reproductive organs, alsostops menstruation.

What happens during menstruation?

Girls have thousands of tiny eggs in their ovaries. Each month, or approximately every 21 – 42 days, on average, one of the eggs leaves an ovary and travels through a fallopian tube. When the egg leaves the ovary, this is called ovulation. Normally, the ovaries alternate each month, releasing an egg from the left ovaryone month and then releasing an egg from the right ovary the next month.

As the egg travels in the fallopian tube, a soft spongy lining forms in the uterus. This lining is mostly made of tiny blood vessels and is called the endometrium. The lining gives nourishment in case an egg and sperm meet to form an embryo, orbaby, that begins to grow in the uterus.

If the egg is not joined by a sperm, the endometrium or lining of the uterus is notneeded. It flows out of the vagina. This bleeding is called a period. This wholecycle is called menstruation.

Menstruation is just one part of the menstrual cycle, in which a woman's body prepares for pregnancy each month. A cycle is counted from thefirst day of one period to the first day of the next. An average cycle is 28days, but anywhere from 23 to 35 days is normal.

Estrogen and progesterone levels are very low at the beginning ofthe cycle. During menstruation, levels of estrogen, made by the ovaries, startto rise and make the lining of the uterus grow and thicken. In the meantime, anegg (ovum) in one of the ovaries starts to mature. It is encased in a sac calledthe Graafian follicle, which continues to produce estrogen as the egg grows.

At about day 14 of a typical 28-day cycle, the sac bursts and theegg leaves the ovary, traveling through one of the fallopian tubes to the uterus. The release of the egg from the ovary is called ovulation. Some women know when they're ovulating, because at mid-cycle they have some pain–typicallya dull ache on either side of the lower abdomen lasting a few hours. The medicalword for this is mittelschmerz, from the German, meaning middle pain. Some women also have very light bleeding, or spotting, during ovulation.

After the egg is expelled, the sac–now called a corpus luteum–remains in the ovary, where it starts producing mainly progesterone. The rising levelsof both estrogen and progesterone help build up the uterine lining to preparefor pregnancy.

The few days before, during and after ovulation are a woman's "fertile period"-the time when she can become pregnant. Because the length of menstrual cycles varies from one person to another,many woman ovulate earlier or later than day 14. It's even possible for a woman to ovulate while she still has her periodif that month's cycle is very short. Oftentimes, stress can play a role in thisoccurring.

If a woman has sex with a man during this time and conceptionoccurs (his sperm fertilizes the egg), she becomes pregnant. The fertilized egg attaches to the uterus, and the corpus luteummakes all the progesterone needed to keep it implanted and growing until aplacenta (an organ connecting the fetus to the mother) develops. The placentathen makes hormones and provides nourishment from the mother to the baby.

If an egg is not fertilized that month and the woman doesn't getpregnant, the corpus luteum stops making hormones and gets reabsorbed in the ovary. Hormone levels drop again, the lining of the uterus breaks down, menstruation begins, and the cycle repeats. In the illustration below, an egg has left an ovary afterovulation and is on its way through a fallopian tube to the uterus.

Feminine Hygiene & Your Monthly Period Menstrual Bleeding, What's Normal and What's Not?

Most menstrual periods last from three to five days, but anywherefrom two to seven days is normal. The amount of blood flow varies, too, but formost women, bleeding starts out light at first, followed by heavier flow for aday or two and then another light day or two. Sanitary pads or tampons, whichare made of cotton or another absorbent material, are worn to absorb the bloodflow. Sanitary pads are placed inside the panties; tampons are inserted into the vagina.

The amount of bleeding varies from woman to woman because everybody's body has a different way of building up the lining of the uterus. A lighter flow or heavier flow doesn't mean you can't get pregnant as easily oryou're never going to get pregnant, or that your periods will always stay the same way. But if you're bleeding excessively-soaking one or more tampons or pads an hour-you should see a doctor to see if there's a problem".

Teenagers often are concerned if they expel blood clots duringtheir periods. This is very normal and not dangerous. The menstrual clots areclumps of pooled blood in the vagina. Sometimes, instead of flowing freely, blood drains from the uterus and stays in the vagina until there's a change inposition–say, from sitting to standing.

Young women experiencing their first periods often wonder, "will my periods ever become “regular?”

When a girl starts to menstruate, her period may not come on a regular schedule for several years. Her periods may come three weeks apart, or even months apart.

Why your wife and daughter(s) need to keep track of their periods.

A girl should keep a record so she'll know if her period is late. A late period may be sign of pregnancy or one or medical problems that you should immediately inform/visit your doctor. Also, your doctor can provide you with better care if he/she knows about your periods.

How does my wife or daughter(s) keep track of their periods?

The first day of your period is called Day 1. The period or bleeding usually lasts 3 to 5 days but 7 days is not uncommon. Ovulation (when the egg is released) happens 12 to 16 days before your next period starts. Ovulation, and the days before and after, is the time when you are most likelyto get pregnant. If the female does not get pregnant, her period comes and the whole cycle begins again, with Day 1 starting over again when the next period starts.  The whole cycle usually takes 21 to 36 days, but even 42 days is not unusual for acycle.

What about menstrual cramps?

Cramps are a common complaint. More than half of menstruating women have cramp-like pain during their periods. The medical term for menstrual pain is dysmenorrhea. Cramps are usually felt inthe pelvic area and lower abdomen, but can radiate to the lower back or down thelegs.

Many girls have cramps severe enough to keep them home from school. In fact, according to Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, dysmenorrhea is the most frequent cause of absenteeism from school among younger women. Women seem to go through phases when cramps are severe, then get better for several years, and then maybe worsen again. Most women find they have lessmenstrual pain after having children.

Cramps are like labor pains. Just as the uterus contracts to openup the cervix (neck of the uterus) and push out a baby, it contracts to expel menstrual blood. Often, after several years of menstruating or after childbirth, the cervical opening enlarges. The uterus doesn't have to contract as much to discharge the menstrual flow, so there is less cramping.

Menstrual pain may also come from the bleeding process itself. When the uterine lining separates from the wall, it releases chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause blood vessels to narrow, impeding thesupply of oxygen to the uterus. Just as the pain of a heart attack comes from insufficient blood to the muscles of the heart, too little blood to the uterine muscle might cause the pain of menstrual cramps.

Menstrual pain can have other causes, although these are rare among teenagers. They include tumors, fallopian tube infection, andendometriosis, a condition in which fragments of the lining of the uterus become embedded elsewhere in the body.

Crampsare the actual uterus' contractions. The uterus, which is like a pear-shaped muscle,  helps get rid of the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, sinceno baby will be growing inside.  These contractions, that sometimes feellike cramps, are the body's way of shedding, or getting rid the lining of theuterus, through the vagina, and out of the body, as the lining is no longerneeded that cycle.

What about cramps?

Some girls have cramps during their periods. For most they are mild and can be helped by exercise, a heating pad or aspirin. If there is a lot of pain, very long a heavy periods. or very irregular periods or very irregular periods you should get a checkup.

What can I do to help with cramps?

Cramps are usually mild. They can be helped by exercise, warm bath, use of a heating pad or pain relievers such as aspirin. If there is a lot of pain, long or "heavy" periods (heavy meaning more bleeding than normal), which means saturating a tampon or pad in less than 2-3hours, or if you have irregular periods, you should inform your parents and ask them to take you to your doctor for a checkup.

What about exercising during my period?

Menstruation is a very normal part of every girl's life. During your period, you can do everything you normally do, including daily baths or showers, exercising,dancing and playing sports are all fine. In fact, you will feel better by continuing your normal routine, and find that warm baths are a great way to help with any cramping you may have.

Should I choose sanitary napkins or tampons for my feminine hygiene choice?

Feminine hygiene products come in all sorts of types, sizes, shapes, absorbencies, smells(vulva and vaginal “deodorant” protection – which we recommend NOT using)and materials.

Sanitary napkins or pads, absorb the blood from your period on the outside of your vagina.  Most sanitary napkins are made with adhesive strips that yousimply peel off the backing and then they will stick or adhere to your pantiesor pantyhose.

Can I still take a bath during my period, or should I take showers instead?

Again, menstruationis a very normal part of every girl's life. When you get your period, you can continue doing everything you normally do. This includes continuing to take baths or showers. However, some girls may prefer to take showers during the daysof their period that bleeding is heavier.

What are Sanitary Napkins and how do they work?

Sanitary napkins, also referred to as;

• Inipads ­ our menstrual pad and tampon alternative!

• Sanitary pads

• Sanitary towels

• Minimenstrual pads

• Maxi pads

• Menstrual pads

• Menstruation pads

are absorbent items worn inside a menstruating woman's panties, next to hervulva to absorb the menstrual blood coming from the vagina, each month duringher period.

Sanitary Napkins are also worn by women that are recovering from vulvo vaginal surgery as well as frompost birth bleeding, or whenever necessary to absorb bloodflow from a woman's vagina.

Sanitary napkins come in different shapes, styles, absorbencies, deodorant, non-deodorant, as well as thin pantiliners for light days and pads, for heavy days of menstrual bleeding. All sanitary napkins, pads and pantiliners are made with removable strips of paper that reveal adhesive tape that is made to stick to your panties.  Other pads and pantiliners have wrap-around"wings" that wrap under your panties to keep it from moving or"bunching". Some youngladies don't like the feeling of sitting on a pad and may choose a tampon andpantiliner on their heavy days.

What are tampons and how do I use them?

Like pads and pantiliners, tampons come in many different brands, sizes, styles, absorbencies and deodorant, perfumed and non-deodorant choices. Also like pads and pantiliners, tampons absorb the menstrual blood, except tampons absorb the menstrual blood inside of the vagina, instead of on the outside.  Tampons absorb the blood from your period like a pad or sanitary napkin, but they do so by placing the tampon inside your vagina. Tampons can be used whether or not a girl has had intercourse and tampons cannot get lost inside your body.

Tampons come in different sizes and thicknesses.  They come in applicator andnon-applicator styles.  There are "slim" or "slender"tampons for young ladies who have never had intercourse, or given birth via vaginal delivery.  Tampons can be used whether or not a girl has had intercourse. Tampons cannot get lost inside a girl's body. Tampons are shaped so that they can be easily inserted into your vagina and absorb the menstrual blood before the blood comes out onto the pad the monthly period.

Many women prefer to use a tampon to avoid any possible smells that are associated with menstruation, as the menstrual blood that is absorbed by pads and pantiliners, are exposed to the air, and not changing a pad or pantiliner frequently enough,may produce a menstrual smell that some find objectionable.

Tampon Insertion: How do I Insert a Tampon?

Inserting atampon the first time takes a little practice. It gets easier with each new period.  You may want to go to the bathroom or close your bedroom door as you will want some privacy.

To insert a tampon, remove your panties, remove the wrapper of the tampon, and get into a comfortable position. Using a mirror may help you find your vagina, and for inserting the tampon the first few times.

The best positions are those that help expand the vaginal walls inside your vagina, to help ease the tampon into place.  Some women like a squatting position, others are comfortable sitting on the toilet. In any case, you will want to spread your legs apart, and then using one hand, spread the labia minora, so that you can see or feel the entrance to your vagina.  Keeping your legs apart, while keeping your labia minora separated, slowly insert the tampon toward the small of your back. You may need to use a little vaginal lubricant spread on the outside of the tampon for easier insertion. Insert the tampon until the ridges of the tampon applicator come in contact with the entrance to your vagina. Then, slowly insert or press down on the plunger, that pushes the tampon into the correct position inside your vagina. Once a tampon is properlyinserted, you shouldn't be able to feel it. Don't worry that the tamponcan "fall out" because the walls of your vagina hold it inplace.

If you can feel the tampon, you are using the wrong size tampon, or may not have inserted the tampon far enough into your vagina. After pushing down on the plunger, and inserting the tampon, remove and discard the applicator, BUT NOT IN THE TOILET, THE TOILET MAY EASILY STOP UP AND THEN FLOOD THE BATHROOM AND HOUSE!

Before pulling your panties back up, make sure the string on the end of the tampon remains outside of your vagina, as this is how you remove the tampon, by pulling the tampon string when it's time to changeyour tampon.

How do I urinate with a tampon in my vagina?

Urinating with a tampon in your vagina is really simple and easy. And when you urinate,this is also the best time to check to see if your tampon needs to be replaced.

To urinate, simply go to the bathroom as you normally would, but before you start urinating, move the tampon string to either the left side or right side of your vulva so that you don't get urine on the tampon removal string.

Going to the restroom is also a great time to see if your tamponneeds to be changed. One way of determining whether your tampon needs to be changed is by tugging slightly on the string. If your tampon seems to not want to come out, it's probably not time to change your tampon, as it hasn't absorbed enough menstrual fluid, and is more dry, than more wet. If, however, your tampon seems to slide easily, this is an indicator that your tampon is saturated, or has absorbed as much blood as it can hold. Another indicator that it's time to change your tampon is that your vagina is leaking menstrual blood on to your panties.

How do I Remove the "Saturated" Tampon?

Removing your tampon is also very easy. When you believe your tampon has absorbed as much menstrual blood as it can hold, it's time to change your tampon. Simply pull onthe string of the tampon in your vagina. This will remove the saturated tampon.  Then discard the used tampon in the trash – NOT IN THE TOILET! Andinsert a new tampon.

SPECIALNOTE:

NEVER SLEEPOVERNIGHT WITH A TAMPON IN YOUR VAGINA AS THIS MAY CAUSE TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME

Most tampons come with a plastic or cardboard applicator to make it easier to putthem in. Only the tampon remains inside the body.

For women who have had a vaginal birth, they wouldn't use the slender tampons because their vaginas have been enlarged due to vaginal childbirth.  If they diduse a slender tampon during their period, the slender tampon would not absorb all of the menstrual blood, and she would have leakage of menstrual blood from her vagina.

Adult women who have delivered vaginally, will choose the wider, thicker tampons that are larger than the slender tampons, due to the enlargement of their vaginas.

How often should tampons, pantiliners, pads or alternative feminine hygiene productbe changed?

Pads, pantiliners, tampons or other alternative feminine hygiene products should be changed often enough so that there is no unpleasant odor or your clothes do not get stained as the feminine hygiene product cannot hold any additional menstrual blood. Changing tampons, pads, pantiliners, often can help prevent infections. During the heaviest days of your period, you may need to change them every 3-4 hours.

Depending on how heavy or light your menstrual flow is – which varies during each day ofyour period, from light bleeding, to heavy, almost “gushing” bleeding, back to light bleeding again, heavy – will determine the type(s) of feminine hygiene product you may use. Some women start out by using a pantyliner only. While the menstrual flow increases, they may switch to a pad, and many women find they need to use a pad and a tampon simultaneously for the best feminine hygiene results.

It is very common for women to use a pad as "back-up" to a tampon, as atampon will leak if it is not changed when it is saturated. Most tampons come with a plastic or cardboard applicator to make it easier to putthem inside your vagina.  Only the tampon remains inside the body, the applicator, if you use this type, is dis-carded in the trash can after you insert it.

Never flush a tampon down the toilet as this may cause serious plumbing problems as well as serious embarrassment after the plumber discovers what caused the problem!

IMPORTANT!

Never leave a tampon in your vagina for more than 4-6 hours (read the tampon manufacturer’s instructions). Always remove the last tampon at the end of your period. When using a tampon, only use the minimum absorbency for your period at that time. Example: Do not use a super absorbent tampon for a light day flow.

Never use or apply talcum powder on or near your vagina or vulva or that of baby girls. This also includes not using talcum powder on your pad or tampon. talcum powder use has been linked to cervical, vaginal, ovarian and vulva cancer.

Changing tampons and napkins often can help prevent infections.

What is Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare infection that can happen during a woman's period. The symptoms include a sudden fever of over 101 degrees or more, diarrhea (theruns), vomiting (throwing up), muscle aches and a sunburn-like rash. If you have these symptoms during you period, see a doctor right away.

To help prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome, you should follow these guidelines:

• Wash your hands before unwrapping and placing a new tampon in your vagina.

• Never use super-absorbent or deodorant tampons.

• Change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours (read the tampon manufacturersinformation inside the box).

• Do not use tampons all the time and switch to a pad for part of each day.

• Do not use a birth control sponge or diaphragm during your period. During yourperiod it is preferable to use other methods such as condoms and/or foam.

What is Premenstrual Syndrome?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms occur in the week or two weeks before your period (menstruation or monthly bleeding). The symptoms usually go away after your period starts.

Premenstrual Syndrome may interfere with your normal activities at home, school, or work. Menopause, when monthly periods stop, brings an end to PMS.

The causes of Premenstrual Syndrome are not clear. Some women may be more sensitive than others to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Stress does not seem to cause PMS, but may make it worse. PMS can affect menstruating women of any age.

Premenstrual Syndrome often includes both physical and emotional symptoms. Diagnosis of PMS is usually based on your symptoms, when they occur, and how much they affect your life.

For more information on Premenstrual Syndrome, see: www.PremenstrualSyndrome.net

DEPRESSIONIS DEADLY IF LEFT UNTREATED!

Is Your Daughter Suffering from Depression?

Read More About the Links Between Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle, andDepression Here. Depression Help, How To Overcome Depression

The Importance of Proper Feminine Hygiene and Vulva Care

Importance of proper feminine hygiene and vulva care

Baby girls are born with special glands that are located on the inner surfaces of the clitoral hood.  These glands produce an oily substance called sebum that lubricates the glans of the clitoris. The glans of the clitoris is the end orthe tip of the clitoris that is sometimes exposed or can be exposed when youretract the clitoral "hood."  The clitoral hood is that portion of the vulva where the labia minora come together above the vagina and urethra and looks like an inverted "v"  ^ .   The clitoral hoodprotects the clitoris and in particular, the glans of the clitoris which is verysensitive.

The sebum that comes from the glands that surround the clitoris produces a shiny appearance on the glans of the clitoris. When the sebum or oily substances arenot regulary cleaned or bathed away, it accumulates, and then it is called smegma.  Smegma has a white cheesy appearance, that becomes sticky and begins to adhere to the skin surrounding the vulva with greater, the longer it is not cleaned or washed away.

Without proper care and hygiene, the smegma will collect under the hood that covers the clitoris and the glans of the clitoris, which can result in pain, irritation and/or in ability to experience orgasm. When the smegma is not properly cleansed from the vulva, and in particular, the areas surrounding and under the clitoral hood, the clitoral hood will adhere to the glans of the clitoris, which is referred to as a "clitoral adhesion." When the clitoral hood adheres to the clitoris, either partially or entirely, this prevents the hood from properly protecting and caressing the glans, making orgasm difficult or impossible.

It is very important for the glans of the clitoris to have adequate lubrication. This permits the clitoral hood to slide over the glans of the clitoris easily and without undue sensitivity or discomfort. The clitoris, and especially the glans of the clitoris, is usually most sensitive to frictional stimulation, versus direct pressure. Women’s masturbation methods almost always involve sliding the clitoral hood in various back and forth or circular motions across and over the glans of the clitoris. Without proper lubrication from the glands next to the clitoris, pain will result in the stimulation of the clitoris and when there is movement of the clitoral hood.

Importance of washing and cleaning the vulva

The smegma accumulations of the vulva, specifically in the area of the clitoris, needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Otherwise, the smegma can accumulate and dry out, causing the smegma to harden beneath the clitoral hood, which causes resulting irritation leading to significant pain. This can result in pain during masturbation, vaginal intercourse, and perhaps when walking, or wearing tight pants. In addition, using sanitary napkins may be painful.

This accumulation of smegma also occurs in infants and preadolescent girls. Parents should check their daughter's vulva for these accumulations of smegma at every diaper change and bath by gently separating the vulva and looking for the cheesy-white accumulations and gently wiping/cleaning away. Always be sure to wipe her from the top of the vulva toward the bottom or rectum to prevent germs and bacteria from entering her vagina. In mild cases the dried smegma may only slightly irritate the clitoris, resulting in your daughter's need to rub or scratch it. This can result in infants and young girls masturbating frequently. The resulting redness, irritation, caused by the frequent masturbation may conceal the primary problem. Adult women may also be distracted by this mild irritation, feeling a need to masturbate or engage in sex frequently. This sensation should not be confused with that of having an erect clitoris. When the irritation is severe though, while the desire to touchthe area is there, the inflammation makes any contact extremely painful. So accumulated smegma can either increase the desire for sexual contact, or make it impossible. Proper bathing and care of the vulva prevents clitoral adhesions

Preventing clitoral hood adhesions means that you need to retract the clitoral hood each time you bath or shower, and wash out the secretions from this area. Most women need to be aware that simply wiping their vulva with a washcloth or their hand may not be enough to keep it clean. The spaces between the labia minora, labia majora and the area under the clitoral hood can retain this bum from the glands around the clitoris, as well as other accumulations such as sweat, vaginal lubrication, toilet paper, menstrual fluid, urine, bacteria and feminine hygiene products. The normal body fluids don't expose a woman to any harm as long as they are removed before bacteria that are normally present are able to reproduce, resulting in infection and odor.

Special "feminine" soaps and washes are not necessary to clean your vulva. All one needs to use to wash and clean the vulva is plain water. In fact, the use of soap and feminine hygiene products can irritate the delicate genital tissues. And douching is rarely, if ever needed, to cleanse your vagina.

Douches, vaginal deodorants or vulva deodorants, and chemical additives pose unnecessary risks when applied to the vulva and placed inside the vagina. These products have been linked to increased cases of vulvo vaginitis and vaginal yeast infections.

Clitoral adhesions

Clitoral adhesions or labial adhesions limits or prevents the clitoral hood to slide across the glans of the clitoris. If you have adhesions, when you pull on your clitoral hood, the glans of the clitoris moves with it instead of the hood retracting by itself, i.e., the glans of the clitoris moves with your pulling the clitoral hood. This can be very painful.

You may not be able to pull the hood back far enough to expose the entire glans if you have clitoral adhesions. This could make cleaning the clitoral area difficult if not impossible.

Minor clitoral adhesions may be remedied by without the need for a doctor's intervention. The clitoral adhesions may be released through pressure on the clitoral hood. Things like bathing, masturbation, bicycle riding, and horseback riding. If you do not properly wash your vulva in a manner that places upward traction on the clitoral hood to expose the glans and areas under the clitoral hood, you may not separate any clitoral adhesions that form, or prevent the formation of adhesions in the future.

If you believe you have clitoral adhesions, you may be able to eliminate them by repeatedly pulling on your clitoral hood, in 360 degree directions (up, down, left, right, rotating in circles as well), or by taking a hot bath. Clitoral adhesions may not disappear immediately as it took some time for the clitoral adhesions to form.

Women who experience pain can ask their partner or doctor to examine their vulva, and by separating the labia, attempt to locate the source of the pain or by using a mirror and seeking the source of the pain themselves.  If you experience a clitoral adhesion, either you or your partner can moisten a q-tip with baby oil or vitamin E to clean and loosen the secretions. Remember, the clitoral hood needs to "glide" easily over the clitoris. To lubricate the clitoral hood and loosen the secretions underneath, you or your partner may want to massage the area with a topical cream or baby oil.  This may require you and/or your partner to do this for several days or for several weeks.  Due to the sensitive nature of the clitoris and clitoral glans, it may be painful during the cleaning or massage due to the adhesions.

In the event you are unable to treat the symptoms of clitoral adhesions, and you or your partner cannot determine the reason for the pain, a doctor may need to be consulted. If your clitoral hood extends well past the glans, or if your clitoral hood is thick or closed, the adhesions may be totally concealed, with no visible indications. You should be very explicit in your office visit with the physician regarding your pain and show him the exact location of the any pain, even retracting your clitoral hood, if necessary for his viewing.

The clitoral adhesions caused by the accumulated smegma are caused by the two tissues surfaces growing together, due to failure to wash away these accumulations. As a result, the body tries to heal and eliminate the source of the irritation, thus causing the tissues to fuse as adhesions. These clitoral adhesions or labial adhesions in the event the labia minora fuse together may also form as a result of the hood laying in constant contact with the glands of the clitoris.

Additionally, either you or your husband may want to massage baby oil, vitamin E, or a petroleum based lubricant or antibacterial ointment up under your clitoral hood and on the glans of the clitoris.

Smegma can cause irritatation and pain, and even the adhesion of the clitoral hood to the glans:

1. Accumulated smegma adhering to clitoris and clitoral hood

2. Clitoral hood

3. Clitoral glans

4. Labia minor lips

The clitoris has a "clitoral hood" or foreskin that produces a oily, lubricating fluid called sebum that allows the hood or foreskin of the clitoris to move back and forth over the smooth and healthy glans, or the tip of the clitoris. When the vulva is not properly cleaned, wherein the oily, lubricating fluid (sebum) is not washed away regularly, it will accumulate and turn into a cheese-like substance called smegma. This smegma can dry out and irritate and "adhere" to the clitoris. The irritation can be relatively mild or lead to a persistent inflammation and cause severe pain. Over time, the accumulation and build-up of smegma under the clitoral hood, causes the clitoris' foreskin or hood to adhere to the glans of the clitoris and to the body of the clitoris well under the hood. Because of these clitoral adhesions, the foreskin has essentially become stuck, or glued to the clitoris, and can no longer be moved back and forth over the glans of the clitoris. This causes pain in young girls and makes sexual intercourse in adult women practically impossible, depending on the severity. Clitoral adhesions may also be responsible for female sexual arousal disorder and female orgasmic disorder in some adult women.

Treatment of Clitoral Adhesions

Clitoral adhesions can usually be avoided by good personal hygiene, i.e. regular careful washing of the vulva, including the glans and foreskin of the clitoris. Young girls should therefore become familiar with their vulvas and be able to locate the clitoris and its foreskin in order to clean them thoroughly. If, for some reason, this should not prove to be sufficient and the irritation persists, a gynecologist may have to be consulted. A careful examination may show that the opening of the foreskin is too narrow and needs to be stretched. The accumulated smegma may have to be removed by a doctor, and the adhesions may have to be released under local anesthesia. Sometimes a hormonal cream may be prescribed by the doctor for the parents to apply to affected area of their daughter's clitoris.

Some adult women may not know they have clitoral adhesions and may explain why sex is painful and why they are not able to fully enjoy sexual intercourse with their husbands.

Proper washing and cleaning of the vulva

Naturally, one of the best ways to keep from having clitoral adhesions is through proper washing of the vulva and to wash away the secretions before they turn into smegma. Proper care of your vulva or your daughter’s vulva means to wash away these secretions at every bath or shower. When you wash your vulva, it is important for you to retract the clitoral hood and wash this area. Also, be sure to wash the inner and outer portions and folds of the labia minora.

Parents can teach their daughters how to properly wash their vulva and help prevent them from experiencing the pain of clitoral or labial adhesions. Parents need to educate their young daughters about the various parts of their vulva so that they know they have more than "just a vagina," which they can't see, but a clitoris, clitoral hood, labia minora and labia majora, that they can see.

Propercleaning of your daughter's vulva includes the following;

• Gently spread the inner and outer labia and wash between them.

• Place upward traction on the clitoral hood (in the direction of her bellybutton) while washing the exposed surfaces.

• The glans of the clitoris may not be exposed when you do this. If there are adhesions, don't forcibly try to remove them.

• Do not use any soap or other harsh ointments while cleaning away the, sebum, secretions or smegma.

• You may need to use a q-tip or cotton ball moistened with baby oil or vitamin E to help loosen any stubborn smegma collections. If doing this, use another-tip or cotton ball that is moistened with water to remove the baby oil or vitamin E.

• Make sure that you are very gentle and use only light pressure when cleaning your daughter's vulva due to the sensitivity.

• When your daughter is old enough to understand how to wash her vulva, may also be the right time to teach her the correct parts of her vulva, as well as explaining that her vulva is "private," and that she should be the one that cares for it. Also, when she is old enough, ask her permission to wash her vulva at bath-time, or ask her if she wants to wash her own vulva, following your directions to make sure that she removes the accumulated secretions or smegma.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Talcum powder has been linked to numerous cancers, including vulva, vaginal, cervical, uterine and ovarian. NEVER USE TALCUM POWDER NEAR YOURDAUGHTER'S VULVA. Instead of using talcum powder, you may want to consider the use of corn starch in this area, making sure that the corn starch is used externally and never placed in or near her vagina. The doctor says that our daughter has labial adhesions.

What are labial adhesions?

Young girls, and even adult women may get “labial adhesions.” Labial adhesions are similar to clitoral adhesions except the smegma adheres to the labia minora (sometimes the labia majora) or the “lips” of the vulva surrounding the vagina — that has caused the labia minora to fuse or become stuck together. This happens to about 5% to 10% percent of all young girls.

Young girls and women with labia that are stuck or fused together should immediately be seen by a pediatrician or gynecologist as the urine flow (and menstrual flow in adult women) can become blocked and a serious infection or infections are very likely to occur if she is not seen by a doctor.

What causes labial adhesions?

This probably happened because your daughter has little to no estrogen. Baby girls get a large dose of estrogen while they're still in the uterus. About one to two months after her birth, the maternal estrogen level drops off, and this hormonal change can affect many parts of a baby's body, including the lining of a girl's labia. Her labia may even stick together. This "adhesion" of her labia can continue or come and go throughout childhood, according to many pediatricians.

What can be done to treat labial adhesions?

First of all, parents should NOT try to pull or separate your daughter's labia apart, since that might hurt. Unless the adhesion is causing any problems, it’s best to leave it alone. The idea of your daughter having labial adhesion probably worries you more than it bothers her. However, if the adhesion extends to cover the opening of the urethra and is trapping urine in the genital area, then you'll definitely want to see your child's doctor about treatment. Trapped urine can cause irritation and possibly infection. You'll know if your daughter’s labial adhesions are covering the urethral opening if you find less urine in her diaper (for a young child) or she's having trouble peeing, or if her genital area looks irritated, she's irritable and crying, and she has a fever (due to infection).

Normally doctors prescribe a topical estrogen cream to treat the problem. Your doctor will tell you to apply this cream directly to the affected tissue, and in about two weeks it should unseal the labia. You'll probably start by applying the cream two or three times a day, then two times a day, then just once a day. It’s important to reduce the amount of estrogen cream you use gradually. If you just stop the treatment suddenly, the labia will close up again.

Will our daughter always have labial adhesions?

Your daughter may continue to have clitoral adhesions or labial adhesions off and on throughout childhood, but the labia tend to unstick when a girl approaches puberty and her body starts producing higher levels of estrogen. Until then, though, there's no reason to worry about the adhesion(s) as long as they are not causing any problems. Many girls never even know they have them.

Do You Know Your Vagina's pH Levels?

The importance of proper vaginal pH and vaginal flora in maintaining a well-balanced vaginal ecosystem is well known and has been widely described throughout the years.

The normal Vagina's pH is 3.8 to 4.5. When your vagina's pH is outside of the normal range, a number of vaginal health problems may occur – including; Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and atrophic vaginitis- are often suspect when vaginal pH is higher than 4.5.

Are youor your wife/husband suffering from "Vaginal Relaxation"?

Did you know that about 70 – 80 million American women (and their husbands and partners) are suffering from “vaginal relaxation”? Vaginal Relaxation, or a "loose vagina" markedly diminishes sexual pleasure for him as well as for her. "Vaginal Relaxation” is when the vagina loses its' tightness or ability to respond to sexual arousal – whether due to vaginal childbirth, age, or other vaginal trauma. The vagina has become relaxed, or loose, and now it has become a problem for the woman, as well as her husband/partner.

Some women, as another symptom of Vaginal Relaxation, have problems controlling theirurine in certain situations or notice changes in their bowel habits. These symptoms of Vaginal Relaxation are typically related to one or more problems that occur as a result of vaginal childbirth, other vaginal trauma, aging or a combination of the above.

There is hope! Women, and their husbands/partners, no longer need to suffer from Vaginal Relaxation. More and more doctors are treating women and couples suffering from Vaginal Relaxation with treatments – sometimes including surgery – that will help them return to a life without the embarrassment, disappointments and heartache of the symptoms and discomforts associated with Vaginal Relaxation.