Someone asked me not long ago when I first remembered experiencing vaginal discomfort. After some reflection, I was flooded with memories of recurrent vaginal yeast infections and general feelings of ongoing discomfort in my early adolescence. I was probably only 16 years old when I was first diagnosed with what was then known as gardnerella vaginitis, and is now referred to as bacterial vaginosis (BV). 

Although yesterday’s Supreme Court decision limiting access to birth control is a contemporary issue, it is important to place it into its long historical context to better understand what our current conundrum means. Humans have been seeking, experimenting with, succeeding and failing at contraception literally since the beginning of recorded time.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when there’s an imbalance in the normal bacteria that usually populates the vagina. And while a hormonal imbalance is not typically the primary cause of BV, normal hormonal changes (like those we experience during our period, pregnancy or perimenopause) can be a factor in getting BV.

If you find that your abdomen hurts after sex, you’re not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), around 75% of women experience painful intercourse at one point or another. This can happen for a variety of reasons and the pain you’re feeling even has a name. In medical circles, it’s called dyspareunia which comes from early Greek meaning “difficulty mating.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This October we want to be more than just aware – we want to act. That’s why Good Clean Love has partnered with Keep A Breast Foundation to support their efforts in breast cancer prevention.

It seems like everyone is using coconut oil these days, and not just for sauteing veggies. With seemingly limitless uses for health and beauty, what was once a humble pantry staple has become the latest all-purpose health food of the moment. But as with any explosive health and beauty trend, there comes a point when things can get taken a little too far. 

For the record, I am not a scientist. I got close when I married a scientist. He was all about Chemistry and Biology, and became a physician. I was always the one more intrigued by our personal chemistry, which was ultimately what tipped me over to his research at the crossroads of human biology and chemistry. Necessity was the mother of invention as I worked to find a solution to the vaginal dryness and painful sex that increasingly weighed on our interpersonal chemistry as we grew our family. 

An Acidic Environment Protects Your Vagina – The normal pH of the vagina is 3.8 to 4.5 which falls on the acidic side of the pH scale. In comparison, things like water and sperm have a more alkaline pH, in the 7 to 8 range. Your vagina tries to maintain an acidic environment because it helps ward off unhealthy bacteria and keeps yeast from multiplying too quickly.

August was declared National Breastfeeding Month by the United States Breastfeeding Committee. Breastfeeding has been a controversial topic as mothers are expressing their right to publically breastfeed. Mothers who are able to breastfeed want to do what their bodies are intended to do rather than teach the baby to break off of the tata’s just to satisfy others. Many people do not realize how important it is to breastfeed, not only for the baby but for the mother as well.

Many women are unaware of the risks of bacterial vaginosis (BV), and many don’t even know what it is. BV is a condition that occurs when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. BV is one of the most common vaginal infections.

 Here are three things you may not know about BV: