featured What is the best way we can prevent or delay our skin from aging?
While we cannot reverse “intrinsic aging”, or the natural process of aging; we can minimise the effects of “extrinsic aging” by reducing free radical and other external damage to the skin, while enhancing anti-oxidant and other repair mechanisms in the skin. Sun protection – including oral and physical sunblock, sun avoidance – is key to minimise free radical damage to the skin....
Self-awareness and self-care starts from within, do you have any recommendations for the women who have just started their self-discovery journey or any encouragement for those who are afraid to make the first steps?
As I mentioned, something women can do is to try to make friends with it. We don’t usually take that context with our vulvas. So start by saying hi and having a look. You can do this exercise however way you want to – it doesn’t have to be a big deal. It can be a quick, 5 second peek or you...
What are some of the things that women can do to care for their vulvas?
Caring for your vulva can feel quite confusing – where would you start?? In my experience, many women don’t have a very strong connection with their vulvas. So while we can care for our vulvas physically – don’t forget, there is also another part that goes into vulva care: how we feel about ours.The starting point to that is to be honest...
What is your view on the subject of Labiaplasty or the notion of a “perfect” vulva?
Labiaplasty is surgery on the inner and outer lips of the vulva. It is often discussed in the media in a narrative similar to plastic surgery, where we think that women are getting Labiaplasty because they want a nice-looking or a “perfect” vulva that’s similar to what we see in porn. This might be the reason for some women, but according to...
Women are often pressured by the perceptions set by media influences to have a “perfect-looking vulva”. Is there a difference between caring for your vulva and striving for the “perfect” vulva?
There’s definitely a difference between caring for your vulva and striving for the “perfect” vulva. Let’s take a moment and compare this to everyday wellness, where there’s also a difference between striving for the perfect body and caring for it.The way we can differentiate between the two is to look at the actions, behaviours and feelings associated with each. When we’re striving...
Through your experience in working with so many women from different walks of life, what are the top 3 most common concerns when it comes to “vulva issues”?
In my experience, every woman and every case is different. While people might come to me with similar sexual challenges, what we end up working on varies a lot from person to person – that’s because everyone’s sexual history, experiences and circumstances are different.That said, the most common vulva concerns that people come to me with are usually about: Painful sex Wanting...
Do you think women are doing enough to care for themselves, specifically caring for their vulva?
I’d prefer not to generalise here because I’ve met and known many women who do amazingly with taking care of themselves and caring for their vulvas. That said, I do think there is a general lack of conversation and awareness in society about what vulva care is and what it could look like. So in that sense, it would be challenging for...
