🌸 Vulva Health: The Body Part Nobody Talks About But Every Woman Should Understand
Because silence isn’t self-care
When’s the last time someone talked to you about your vulva outside of a sex education class or smear test reminder?
For most women, the answer is never.
Despite being a vital part of our health and identity, the vulva is still misunderstood, ignored, or shrouded in shame. This silence has real consequences from delayed diagnoses to unnecessary discomfort, confusion, and fear.
This post explores what vulva health really means, how to spot when something isn’t quite right, and why every woman deserves to feel informed, confident, and cared for when it comes to her most private parts.
🧠 1. What Vulva Health Includes (And Why It’s Not Just About STIs)
When we talk about the vulva, we’re not just talking about sex. Vulva health touches on:
Skin health and sensitivity
Hormonal changes (especially around perimenopause and postpartum)
Pain, itchiness, or burning
Discomfort from shaving, tight clothing, or even toilet paper
Vulval hygiene and pH balance
Impact of infections (like thrush, BV, or herpes)
Many of these issues are not sexually transmitted, not “unclean,” and definitely not uncommon — yet they’re rarely discussed outside of specialist clinics.
🩺 2. What Women Say
At Her Health Decoded, we’ve heard from women across age groups and backgrounds who say the same thing: no one ever talked to me about this.
Some were told their pain was “psychological.” Others waited years for a diagnosis because they were too embarrassed to describe their symptoms or weren’t taken seriously when they did.
Many women feel confused by what’s normal:
Is vulva skin supposed to be dry?
Can hormones really cause itchiness or pain?
Why does sex suddenly hurt?
The result? A culture of silence and a lot of women suffering in silence, thinking they’re the only one.
⚖️ 3. Common Vulva Health Issues You Should Know About
Here are a few vulva-related concerns that are common but rarely discussed openly:
🦠 Thrush & BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)
Thrush = fungal overgrowth (itchy, white discharge)
BV = imbalance of vaginal bacteria (grey discharge, fishy smell)
Both can be triggered by stress, antibiotics, tight clothing, scented soaps, or hormonal changes.
🧬 Lichen Sclerosus
A chronic skin condition that can cause white patches, tearing, pain, and skin thinning around the vulva.
Often misdiagnosed or ignored but manageable with treatment.
🔥 Vulvodynia
Chronic vulva pain without a clear cause
Burning, stinging, or rawness often made worse by sex, tight clothes, or sitting
Requires specialist input, not just reassurance or lubricants
💧 Hormonal Changes
Low oestrogen during perimenopause, postpartum, or while breastfeeding can cause vaginal dryness, irritation, and thin skin
Often improves with vaginal oestrogen (available via prescription)
🧼 4. What Can Help
You don’t need to wait until something’s “wrong” to care for your vulva. Here’s what can support everyday vulva health:
🧴 Ditch fragranced soaps, wipes, and gels - wash only with warm water or gentle, non-soap cleansers (like Cetraben for external use)
🩲 Wear breathable underwear - cotton is better than lace, thongs, or synthetic materials
💨 Avoid over-washing or scrubbing - the vulva is self-cleaning
🧘🏾♀️ Pay attention to discomfort - itching, stinging, or tightness deserves investigation
📋 Track recurring infections or irritation - it could signal something like hormonal changes
👩🏾⚕️ See a GP, sexual health nurse, or gynaecologist - and don’t be afraid to ask for a referral if you feel dismissed
🌿 Final Thought
Your vulva is not shameful. It is not dirty, or weird, or embarrassing. It is part of your health, your body, and your story.
Whether you’re 16 or 60, sexually active or not, it matters that you feel informed and empowered. If something feels off, don’t wait and don’t let silence be the reason you don’t get support.
Vulva health is women’s health. And it deserves attention, respect, and care.
💬 Let’s Talk
Have you ever felt like something was wrong “down there” but didn’t know how to explain it, or who to ask? What helped you get answers (or what do you still want to know)?
Leave a comment or share anonymously your story could help someone else feel less alone.
