7 things you're dying to know about your vagina

When it comes to our most intimate of body parts – the vagina – many women are embarrassed to ask questions. We can talk about how society has become much more casual, but the health of your vagina is still not exactly something you normally bring up around the water cooler or dinner table, the way you would ear infections or carpal tunnel syndrome. Even among our inner circles of friends, sheepishness can prevail. And up on the examining table at our health-care practitioner's office we seldom have time to discuss the gynecological issues we are more curious about than concerned with.

With that in mind, here's an overview of the things you might not already know about your vagina.

1. Is there a difference between a vulva and a vagina?
Yes, there is a difference between these two connected body parts, even though the terms are sometimes erroneously used interchangeably. Simply put, a vulva is a woman's external genitalia, whereas the vagina is an internal, muscular tube that connects the uterus to the outside of the body.

2. For genital health, is going without underwear ever a good idea for women?
Actually, it is. "Wear 100 per cent cotton underwear to allow air in and moisture out, and go without underwear when possible, for instance when sleeping," says professor Caroline Pukall, director of Sex Therapy Service at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. She also recommends steering clear of thong underwear, full-length pantyhose, spandex or Lycra workout shorts and tight jeans that press on the genitals, especially for those who suffer from vulvodynia.

3. What is vulvodynia?
"Vulvodynia means chronic vulvar pain that exists in the absence of any disorder that can cause the pain, such as infections," says Pukall. Furthermore, vulvodynia is estimated to affect a surprisingly high number of women. "If affects approximately 16 per cent of women, yet it is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed and left untreated," she says. But how do you differentiate this pain from, say, a minor irritation? One of the most common types of vulvodynia is characterized by a highly localized pain at the vaginal entrance, Pukall says. "The pain occurs in response to pressure, such as during intercourse or gynecological exams, and is often described as sharp and burning."

There is also a less common condition that occurs in six per cent of women, wherein the pain covers the entire vulva area, and can result in difficulty sitting for long periods, she adds. If you suspect either applies to you, bring it up with your physician or health-care practitioner.

Page 1 of 2 - find out more about your vagina on page 2