Have You Looked At Your Vagina Lately?
Good morning, repressed America! Jeanie Lerche Davis reports on WebMD that women are a mite shy about what many refer to as their "down there." According to a survey of women's attitudes about female health topics:
ï73% said that the vagina is a shocking topic.
ïLess than half have ever performed a self-exam of their vagina.
ïOne in four has not looked at her vagina in the past year.
ï47% said that discussions about the vagina should be held in private.
ïOnly one in 10 women said that there is no shame in having discussions about vaginas.
ïOnly 14% said that women are as comfortable talking about their vaginas as men are about penis-related issues.
Lerche Davis quotes Margaret Thompson, M.D., who calls the vagina "a woman's friend" (mine's always been very good to me), and says "women need to become more comfortable with their bodies, especially talking about sexual health."
Come on, girls! There's no time like the present to get a little cozier with your cooter. Your health may depend on it. And besides, your vagina is just another organ like your lungs or your liver. Or would those be your breathing bags and your toxin filtration system?
"One in four has not looked at her vagina in the past year."
These women probably weren't on speaking terms with their vaginas. How could you not make eye contact with your vagina once in a while? Even if you're just running into it in the hallway as you're getting ready in the morning, why not just take a second and say hi? Seems kind of rude to me.
Lena Snatch-a-rella at November 3, 2003 6:23 AM
The only penis conversations that the men I know are willing to have is when they can get him some action. I wouldn't say they're all that open to discussing their penile health in public. But, yes, I concede the point that they definitely look at their penis a whole lot more than women look at their vagina. I mean, come on--what option do they have? It kind of sticks out there (if they're lucky).
Peggy C at November 3, 2003 7:10 AM
You can bet men aren't ashamed to the tune of one in 10 to talk about their penises.
Amy Alkon at November 3, 2003 7:36 AM
I don't know how many or how often men talk about their penises (maybe we talk about getting hard-ons more than women say they're getting wet), but it's easy to understand why we are on more intimate terms with it than some women are with their vaginas: after all, we have to hold it a few times a day, just to aim.
Bob at November 3, 2003 7:43 AM
"Looking at" doesn't mean "examining," correct? So if a woman shaves her pussy, how could she not see the, um, slit -- on a daily basis? And the process of shaving it would also require a lot of CAREFUL looking.
Lena's of Vaginawood at November 3, 2003 9:26 AM
I think there's a lot of unpruned bush out there.
Amy Alkon at November 3, 2003 12:31 PM
I don't want to look at anyone's vagina. No offense ladies, but I don't trust anything that can bleed for five days and not die.
Patrick at November 3, 2003 3:19 PM
It's not so much that I'm ashamed to talk about it, but who's interested? I talk about it with my doctor, I can discuss it with girlfriends when necessary, or with my sex partner, but why on earth would I want to just pipe up about it any other time? I don't want to listen to men talk about their member, either.
Not everything needs to be that 'out in the open'. I don't discuss any of my other organs, either--"Guess what my BM's are like?" Eww! Keep it to yourself!
Peggy C at November 3, 2003 3:38 PM
Vagina--There should be a "special category" called "The Vagina Monologues: Amy Alkon's perspective"
I could never post anything about that without my mom on the high alert!
cecile at November 3, 2003 5:36 PM
When can we start talking about penises?
Lena Cuisina at November 3, 2003 8:19 PM
Your wish is my command:
http://www.metafilter.com/mefi/29363
Amy Alkon at November 3, 2003 10:52 PM
http://www.zeebarf.com/flash/ma.htm
this explains alot :)
johny at December 22, 2003 8:00 PM