Social media never sleeps. That means we constantly have to keep up with what lies are coming out about your health on a daily basis. We’ve talked about myths before but that doesn’t mean the rumor mill stopped with one post. There are always going to be social media myths about your vagina circulating online.
So let’s take a look at the most recent myths circulating popular social media. We can dispell some of those myths together and get you the real info you need. Remember, social media is fun but it’s not always your friend. Here are five more social media myths about your vagina we’re helping dispell.
1. You Should Be Embarrassed Of Your Natural Smell
Vaginas all have a natural smell. Most of the time you won’t notice it, but even if you do, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It also doesn’t mean you should be ashamed or embarrassed. Vaginas aren’t meant to smell like flowers. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about how you smell.
If you notice you have a very strong odor and other symptoms it’s okay to ask your doctor about what’s going on. It’s normal to worry about things like that. Just don’t let social media tell you that you should be using sprays or perfumes down there. Those things can cause far more harm than they’ll ever do good.
Related: 10 Lies Social Media Is Telling You About Your Vagina
2. Having Hair Down There Is Unhygenic
This is entirely untrue. Whether or not you remove the hair around your vagina is entirely up to you. No one should be pressuring you to do it. They also shouldn’t be telling you it makes you dirty. The hair around your vagina is there to prevent dirty and bacteria from entering your vagina.
If you want to get waxed, or shave, that’s fine. The choice is entirely up to you. Just remember that it’s all about aesthetics and not about hygeine. You are not risking your health by not removing hair on your body. It’s all just part of who you are.
3. If You Don’t Douche You’re Dirty
We’ve talked about this before, but we’ll keep reminding anyone who listens. Douching is not good for you. Period, end of story. Your vagina is great at cleaning itself, and as long as you’re using gentle soap and warm water externally, you’re doing what you should.
4. Your Birth Control Choice Sucks
There seems to be a lot of gatekeeping online lately about what birth control choice is best. The truth is it’s all about what works for you. Don’t let someone force you into using a method you hate. If you like the pill, great. If an IUD works for you, that’s awesome too.
The choice you make about your birth control is a personal one. Don’t let anyone online tell you your choice is a bad one. It isn’t. All methods have their pros and cons. Use what you like and ignore the naysayers online. You know what works best for you.
5. Your Partner’s Penis Won’t Hit Your Cervix During Sex
This one started on TikTok and came from a fairly authoritative sounding person, who even had diagrams. The truth here is already clear to most women. Your partner can definitely hit your cervix during sex and it may not feel good. Some women like it and others hate it.
If you notice this happening a lot and it’s ruining the mood, try other positions. See what works for you and your partner. Some positions offer less direct access to your cervis than others so experimentation is your friend here. And no matter what you see on TikTok, just know you aren’t crazy. This is a normal part of sex.
Final Thoughts
Social media really is a great resource sometimes but not always. Use it wisely and make sure you’re backing up anything you read on social media with actual facts. Look for articles published by reputable sites and go from there. And remember, you can always ask your doctor too. They have great info on these types of topics.
Sarah Nelson is a nurse with 15 years of experience working with a variety of patients. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing and has spent a large portion of her career working exclusively with women in an OB/GYN setting.
Nursing is a passion for Sarah but she also enjoys writing and sharing her expertise online with people who need helpful information. Treating patients well and helping them learn more about their own bodies is a key essential to a healthy lifestyle that Sarah truly believes in.