Check Your Vitals

Yes, it’s completely normal for your vagina to have a smell – despite what a lifetime of marketing that has told us otherwise. In this episode we unpack a list of common vaginal smells, as well as odours you should look out for if you catch a whiff. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/vagina-smell

Finding the right form of contraception for your body and lifestyle can feel a little bit like playing Russian roulette – there is a lot of trial and error involved. But why is it so hard? https://yourdaye.com/vitals/cultural-musings/how-to-choose-method-of-contraception

Are the rumours true? In this episode we look at the science behind orgasms and pain relief. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/can-sex-orgasm-help-period-pain

Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women and AFAB individuals – that’s 200 million people worldwide. It’s the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, but when it comes to causes and diagnosis, the medical community is like ¯_(ツ)_/¯. There is so little research and awareness around endometriosis that it takes on average 8 years from the first occurrence of symptoms to be diagnosed with endo

Did you know that even though PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, you don’t *need* to have polycystic ovaries to have PCOS? Confusing, we know. It was originally thought that ovarian cysts were the cause of PCOS, but they’re actually a symptom (sometimes!). They’re not even like cysts you get in other parts of your body – they’re follicles that never matured and contain an underdeveloped egg. Want to learn more about PCOS symptoms, diagnosis and treatment? Give this episode a listen! https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/pcos-facts-myths-symptoms-treatment

Most people are familiar with probiotics for gut health, but a new type of probiotics has been introduced in the market, aimed specifically to support vaginal health. But how do vaginal probiotics work, and more importantly, do you need them? https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/vaginal-probiotics

Anyone can get thrush, even people with a penis, but it’s most common in cisgender women. 75% of women will get thrush at least once in their life, and many find that the condition shows up just during or just after their period thanks to a perfect storm of hormonal fluctuations and changes in your vaginal pH. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/recurring-thrush-after-period

When it comes to the physical symptoms of periods, cramps tend to get all the airtime. Almost no one wants to talk about one of the most annoying byproducts of the menstrual cycle: period poo. Here's why your bowels go on the fritz when you're on your period. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/period-poo

If you’ve ever used a tampon – or read the back of a tampon box – you’ve probably heard of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). This a rare yet potentially fatal bacterial infection is associated with tampon use. However, few people are aware of a much more common issue with tampons: fibre loss. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/what-is-tampon-fibre-loss

Changes in the colour of your period blood can seem alarming, but they’re totally normal. The colour of your period blood simply depends on the length and flow of your period, and can range from light pink all the way to black. Here's what each colour means. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/brown-or-black-period-blood

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and thrush (vaginal candidiasis) are two very common causes of unusual vaginal discharge. They’re mostly harmless, but annoying AF to have. Here's everything you need to know about these common vaginal infections, and how to spot them. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/whats-the-difference-between-bv-and-thrush

Research shows that everyone’s vaginal microbiome is unique, but it’s not fully understood how race affects differences in vaginal flora. What we do know, whoever, is that more than just biology is at play. “It’s not as simple as well, ‘if someone has X amount of melanin, then they will have a specific type of vaginal microbiome. It’s a lot more complicated than that,” says Dr. Christine Ekechi. Barriers to healthcare access, systemic racism, and socioeconomic factors all mean Black womxn are more prone to vaginal infections. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/black-women-vaginal-microbiome-thrush-bv

Finding a lump on your vulva can send you into a panicked Google search spiral, but not every bump is cause for concern. There are many reasons why your vulva may be swollen or painful. In many cases, a swollen vulva is caused by a Bartholin cyst, a condition that occurs when the Bartholin glands become obstructed. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/bartholin-cyst-swollen-vulva

You've probably never heard of this STI, so why is mycoplasma genitalium (MG) being dubbed "the new superbug"? Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium that lives in your urogenital tract (vagina, uterus, Fallopian tubes and urethra), and research shows that when left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and cervicitis (an inflammation of the cervix). It's a relatively new STI and routine STI tests don't test for MG, so it's quite hard to detect. Around 1% of sexually active adults have MG but don't know it because it's often asymptomatic, and when it *does* cause symptoms, they're frustratingly common and easily mistaken for other STIs or vaginal infections like BV. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/mycoplasma-genitalium-sti

Vaginismus is a psychosexual (meaning it involves both the mind and body) condition that makes vaginal penetration painful, or downright impossible. It's your body's automatic response to the fear of penetration, and can have a huge impact on a person's quality of life. Intercourse becomes difficult or uncomfortable, which is made even worse by society’s obsession with penetrative sex. We live in a culture that has normalised female pain and sidelined womxn's pleasure to the point where it's interfering with vaginismus diagnosis (the stigma doesn't help, either). Painful intercourse, in fact, seems to be commonplace for many womxn: research shows that 30% report pain during vaginal sex, while some studies place that figure closer to one in 10. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/what-is-vaginismus-causes-diagnosis-treatment

It’s commonly believed that womxn who live or spend a lot of time together eventually “sync” cycles, but does the science add up? (Spoiler alert, no). Many people still believe in the phenomenon because it can promote bonding and a sense of sisterhood. There’s nothing like the shared experience of menstruation to make you feel close to someone else, so even though you can't *actually* sync cycles with someone just by being around them a lot, we’re all in this together at the end of the day. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/is-it-possible-to-sync-periods

Squirting remains one of the most controversial and misunderstood aspects of female pleasure to date, and the research on female ejaculation is woefully lacking. In this episode we look the available science and bust the most common myths around squirting. Listen for some some WAP facts! https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/what-is-squirting-female-ejaculation

Exercise is often touted as the OG form of period pain relief. If you mention menstrual cramps or PMS symptoms, chances are there’s always one person who recommends working out. So, how effective is exercising when it comes to easing period ailments? https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/working-out-for-period-pain/

It’s unlikely for your period to stay exactly the same from menarche to menopause, and both internal and external factors can dictate the length, regularity, flow and pain level of your period. Get to know your flow, and how your cycle can vary throughout the years. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/how-your-period-may-change-as-you-age/

A little bit of stress can actually be healthy (like in the case of exercise), but when most of us talk about stress we’re referring to the bad, on-the-edge-of-burnout kind. Excessive or chronic stress has a huge impact on your wellbeing—and yes, even your period. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/stress-and-periods/

A nutritionist weighs in on how the food you eat throughout the month can support your period and PMS symptoms. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/nutrition-and-the-menstrual-cycle/

BV and thrush are common causes of unusual vaginal discharge. Here's how to recognise the symptoms of BV and thrush, and tell them apart. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/whats-the-difference-between-bv-and-thrush/

Does cranberry juice help with UTIs? Read about how to to treat and prevent a urinary tract infection. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/how-to-treat-and-prevent-uti/

Changes in vaginal discharge are normal throughout the menstrual cycle. Here's how to spot healthy vs unhealthy discharge. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/vaginal-discharge-during-menstrual-cycle-normal/

From the pill to the copper coil, here are the pros and cons of all the different types of contraceptive methods—including risks, effectiveness and possible side-effects. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/pros-and-cons-of-contraception/

No, you don't have to was your vagina! Here's why. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/how-to-practice-good-vaginal-hygiene/

Everything you need to know about delaying, shortening and stopping your period. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/how-to-delay-stop-your-period/

How a trip to A&E at 9 years old gave our founder Valentina the idea that started Daye. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/daye-in-the-life/the-origin-of-daye-cbd-tampons/

How to have an eco-friendly period: tips and tricks for making your period less red and more green. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/sustainability/how-to-have-an-eco-friendly-period/

Does CBD help soothe menstrual cramps? We look into whether cannabidiol *actually* treats period discomfort. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/cbd/cbd-as-effective-treatment-for-menstrual-cramps/

What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable? What does organic mean? Here's the definitions to the environmental vocabulary. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/sustainability/what-does-sustainable-and-biodegradable-mean/

The only thing that should be shedding during your period is your uterine lining, *not* your period. Here's everything you need to know about fibre loss and the risk of vaginal infections. https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/what-is-tampon-fibre-loss/

How hormonal fluctuations throughout the month affect cognitive function, energy levels, libido, skin health, inflammation and even bowel movements. Hack your menstrual cycle and live your best life accordingly! https://yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/menstrual-cycle-phases/