Using Plastic…and I Don’t Mean Credit Cards

Getting to know your body

By Jae, YouthResource Peer Educator

Same-sex, safer sex

Many women in relationships with women neglect the fact that they, too, can and should make their sex safer. Not only do women in relationships with women need to worry about passing STIs such as HPV and HIV during intercourse, they also need to think about passing bacteria that can cause yeast infections, urinary tract infections and other forms of bacterial vaginosis.

One key component of practicing safer sex is knowing your body inside and out. You need to be able to recognize the difference between your healthy body and something else. You know to protect your breast health by doing self-exams. Did you know you can also examine your vulva and vagina? You can give yourself a self-gynecological exam in your own home. It’s easier than you think!

If you know what you look like and feel like when you are healthy, you may be better able to know when something is wrong.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3

Here are some great instructions for a self-exam according to the Feminist Women’s Health Center (http://www.fwhc.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to women’s reproductive freedom, health and equality. Please note that a self-gynecological exam should not replace your regular doctor’s visits. Find information on these periodic gynecological visits and exams from Planned Parenthood at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/women-health/gyn-exams.htm.

For a self-exam you’ll need a hand-held mirror, flashlight, and speculum. (If you don't already have one, get your own clear plastic speculum from FWHC here: http://www.fwhc.org/sale3.htm#plainspec)

You may want KY lubricating jelly or water on the speculum for easier insertion .You should never use petroleum or oil-based products as a lubricant - that can cause an infection.

Before you start, practice opening and closing the speculum; and make sure you understand how to lock it open, as well as how to unlock and close the bills (the rounded part). Then sit comfortably; leaning back with your legs open, knees up, on a bed or couch with pillows behind you, and follow these steps:

1. Put some KY jelly or water onto the bills which you will insert into your vagina). Take a deep breath. As you exhale, let your muscles relax. To insert the speculum, hold it in one hand, handles up, bills together. Using your other hand, spread the labia and insert the bills of the speculum as you would a tampon.
2. When you have inserted it as far as it will comfortably go, open the bills using the mechanism on the handles that you practiced with earlier. You will feel the speculum stretch your vagina open. Lock the speculum into place. Then you can let go of it. With both your hands free, you can now hold the flashlight and mirror. Shine the beam of the flashlight into the mirror so it reflects into the vagina lighting up the internal space. Or shine the flashlight directly inside. Adjust the mirror and flashlight so you can see inside. At the back of your vagina is your cervix. It looks like a small donut with a very small opening in the center.
3. When you are finished, unlock and close the speculum. Then slowly and gently pull the speculum out. You may smell the speculum to become familiar with your natural smell of secretions and examine the mucus picked up on the speculum. An acidic smell is not unusual. A yeasty or fishy odor may indicate an infection.

It’s just as important to know what you look like on the outside of your vagina. Take a careful look at the color of your skin. Examine your labia (lips) and the opening of your vagina. See what your clitoral hood looks like as well as your clitoral shaft. Take careful note of moles or freckles – new bumps or changes in color can be a sign of disease and mean you should go to the doctor.

Know Thyself

So, why do a gynecological self-exam? Everyone’s body is different. Each of our bodies changes over time as well. It is important to be able to recognize what is healthy and what needs attention. For a great description of what you’ll see, what’s normal and what’s not normal, return here: http://www.fwhc.org/health/selfcare.htm. Remember, if you have any concerns you should contact a health care professional immediately!

Knowing yourself is not only essential to your sexual and reproductive health; it is helpful for sexual pleasure as well.

I had never seen what I looked like or what anyone looked like before. I understand my body more now. It feels good to know.
-Abby, 26

Links

• Vulvar Self Exam (find on page 4 of the Patient Education Booklet): http://www.med.umich.edu/obgyn/vulva/links.htm.
• Breast Self Exam: http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/EarlyDetectionScreening/BreastSelf-Exam/index.htm.
• The Federal Government Source for Women’s Health Information:
  http://www.womenshealth.gov.