TresSugar

Why Do We Have Hair Down There?

DearSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Woman can spend a lot of time and money dealing with their pubic hair. Most women shave, wax, or do sugaring, so they have less or none at all. That got me thinking - Why do we have it in the first place?

Pubic hair actually serves a very important purpose. Just like your nose hairs trap pollen, dust, and germs from entering your nose, pubic hair protects your body too. It traps bacteria, preventing it from entering your vagina. If you remove it completely, as with a Brazilian bikini wax, you may be increasing your chances of developing bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections.

All of your hair (no matter where it is) helps to regulate your body temperature and can also reduce friction during body movement, which makes it less likely for your skin to get irritated down there.

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Here's another interesting point - from nature's perspective, our pubic hair has a lot to do with procreation. Your body secretes pheromones that attract the opposite sex, and your pubic hair (as well as underarm hair) helps to capture that erotic scent. It's kind of like a billboard that says, "Hey, look over here!" It attracts others to that area, so we can, well, you know, make babies!

Luckily, getting rid of your unwanted hair won't necessarily affect your chances of attracting someone. It's your personal preference to decide what you do with it, and if you're like me, knowing the purpose of your pubic hair doesn't make you love it any more.

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Hump Day: I'm Self-Conscious About Receiving Oral Sex

TresSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

"I'm very self-conscious about my body, and that extends to receiving oral sex. I like to give blow jobs to my boyfriend, but I worry about smelling and tasting good so I rarely let him reciprocate. I wonder if I never get satisfaction when I let him go downtown (he has to practically beg!) because I can't relax enough to enjoy it. Any advice?"

To hear what Dr. Glickman has to say, read more

First off, the vagina is self-cleaning, as long as it's healthy. I mention that because I want to make sure that it's very clear that all of the myths about the vagina being dirty have more to do with sexism and sex-negativity than anything else. That was a bit different in the past, when women's medical needs weren't really addressed and things like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis went untreated. At the same time, if you ever suspect that your scent has changed, that can be a sign of these or other conditions and it's worth getting checked out by a medical professional.

But assuming that there isn't anything like that going on for you, you definitely have my sympathies. Worries about our bodies and how our partners perceive us is a serious mood-killer. And the irony is that our partners often either don't mind or actively admire exactly those parts of our bodies that we're worrying about!

From what you've written, it sounds like your boyfriend has no problem going down on you. After all, if he's begging for it, it's probably something that he's into. How does he describe your scent or taste? If he's just as enthusiastic about that, maybe that can help you reframe how you feel about it. As the saying goes, we each have our own tastes (sorry for the bad pun, but I couldn't resist).

Try taking a shower before having sex. If you do it together, then it becomes part of the warm-up instead of a chore. While it may not be strictly necessary, if it helps you relax, there's no reason not to. Just don't overdo it with the soap. The vulva (the exterior female sex organs) is covered with sensitive skin and some women find that washing too much can be irritating. And don't get soap inside the vagina - it can be irritating or even set off a yeast infection if you're sensitive.

It might also help if the two of you approach oral sex as a pleasure in itself, rather than worrying about whether you'll have an orgasm from it. Set the bar a little lower for a while and aim for discovering ways that it can feel good for you, even if you don't have an orgasm. Make it a science experiment and have him try different techniques so you can discover how they feel. One great way to do that is for him to do two different things, such as sucking your clitoris or making circles with his tongue for a little bit. Then you decide whether you liked A or B more. It's a fun way to explore new sensations and keep your focus on what you're feeling, rather than worrying about your scent. If he needs some ideas for things to try, Tristan Taormino's Expert Guide to Oral Sex is a great DVD on the topic. Or check out Violet Blue's book Ultimate Guide To Cunnilingus for a fun read.

It could also be helpful if you ask your boyfriend for some positive reinforcement afterwards. After all, you're moving into an edge of your comfort zone and you deserve some hugs for that. When you're ready to move on from the oral experimentation, you'll probably feel better about it if he tells you how much he enjoyed it and that he's glad that the two of you are trying it out. If he goes too far and starts seeming pushy about it, that could backfire, so a light touch is better. But that's a really good way to make sure that you end on a positive note.

I hope that this helps. I know that it can be really hard when exploring out things that feel uncomfortable. It's a good idea to stretch enough to give it a serious try without going so far that it's too much. Take it slowly and remember - you want it to be fun!

5 Reasons Not to Douche

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Who doesn't love that freshly showered feeling down there? A little gentle soap and warm water is all you need to clean your lady parts. But some women insist on douching to achieve ultimate cleanliness, which can actually cause more harm than good. In case you're still douching, here are some reasons to stop.

Increased risk of STIs. According to Dr. Sten H. Vermund of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, "Douching is a harmful activity because it disrupts the healthy vaginal microorganisms and enables STIs to take hold."
It increases risk of infection. Douching flushes away the natural bacteria and organisms known as your vaginal flora. If your lady business comes in contact with other bacteria, it can lead to infections such as bacterial vaginosis. It can also introduce new bacteria into the vagina, which can spread up through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.

To hear why else you shouldn't douche read more.

Women who douche regularly have a 73 percent greater risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If left untreated, this can lead to infertility in women or even death.
Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ.
If you feel the need to douche because the smell below your belt seems foul or wrong then it's not douche you need, it's a visit to the gyno. A strong odor can be an indication that you have an infection, and if you douche, it could cause more irritation, discharge, and pain. The smell of a woman's vagina doesn't need to be covered up - it's completely natural and men are actually attracted to it.

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Belly Button Blunder

DearSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar
I got my belly button pierced last week and it doesn't look like it is healing properly. It gets really crusty and oozes puss when I wake up in the morning. I am afraid to move the ring around because it hurts, but I don't want it to get stuck in the same spot. Do you have any tips on how I should care for my piercing so it doesn't get infected? Pierced Paige

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Pierced Paige
Belly button piercings are one of the most sensitive areas to care for since your clothing always gets in the way. Post piercing care is crucial to making sure you are infection free and that your belly won't scar. The first thing to remember is only touch your piercing when your hands are clean, as your piercing is still fresh and you are easily susceptible to catching an infection.

When you are in the shower, rinse your belly with an anti-bacterial soap and rotate your ring back and forth so the soap penetrates the entire hole. Tea Tree oil is a great natural supplement that is used to heal cuts and infections. When your belly button pusses, cover the area with a warm compress and apply an anti-bacterial ointment such as Neosporin to prevent scarring and further infection.

Keeping your clothing away from the area will also help prevent irritation and the possibility of mistakenly snagging your ring and creating an infection. Wear loose fitting tops, low rise undies and pants, and remember not to sleep on your stomach.

Since your body is working overtime to fight off any potential infections, make sure to double up on vitamins such as Zinc and Vitamin C. If it gets to be too painful or infected, your body might be rejecting the foreign piece of metal so it might be best to take it out or see a doctor. Good luck.