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Whenever I work out, my crotch smells really bad. Why is that?
—Tesa, 18, Finley, OH
Sweat in your public hair makes it easier for bacteria to grow, which can cause a foul odor. Try wearing cotton panties—cotton allows air to pass through, so moisture won't get trapped. Also, trimming your pubic hair to about 1/4 inch can help minimize the smell. If none of this works, see your doctor. You may have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics. Whatever you do, don't use so called feminine sprays or powders to mask the smell—they can alter your natural bacterial balance and cause an infection.
During my period, I have such intense pain around my vaginal opening that I can hardly move. What's going on?
—Sarah, 18, Walhalla, SC
There's a slight chance that you're having an allergic reaction to the pad or tampon you use, so try switching brands. But keep in mind, Sarah, that while many girls experience sensitivity during the first few days of their period, intense pain is not normal. So make an appointment to see your gynecologist on the first or second day of your next period—that way she can see the pain you're in and properly diagnose you.
Is it okay to have a lot of discharge even after I douche?
—Bianca, 17, Mission, TX
Most women secrete about a penny-sized amount of clear or white discharge each day—it shows that your body is keeping the tissues in your vagina healthy and clean. If the discharge is discolored or smells bad, go to a doctor—you could have a bacterial or yeast infection or an STD that requires treatment. But Bianca, you really shouldn't douche. It strips your vagina of its natural oils and bacteria, making it easier for you to get an infection. Showering with a mild soap should keep you feeling clean down there.
My vagina made this embarrassing fart sound. What was it?
—Courtney, 17, Winter Haven, FL
What happened is called queefing. You may have heard that word and thought it was slang, but that's actually what doctors call it. It happens when air enters the vagina and is thrust out when your vaginal muscles spontaneously tighten. They might make a noise, but queefs don't smell. That's because, unlike a fart, there's no gas involved. (Gas contains bacteria from your colon, which is why it stinks.) They may not admit it, but most girls have queefed at some point in their lives. So next time it happens, try not to worry about it—just laugh it off, okay, Courtney?
Is shaving off all of your pubic hair a health risk or unsafe in any way?
—Tatum, 17, Lexington, KY
Before you make a date with your razor, you should know that pubic hair is there for a few good health reasons. It provides a cushion that helps prevent your labia (the fleshy lips around your vagina) from getting chaffed, which can happen when you wear tight clothes or ride a bike. The hairs also act sort of like a spider web, trapping harmful bacteria so they can't get into your vagina and cause infections like vaginosis. Plus, urinary tract infections are often caused by bacteria from the anus—and if you have no pubes there's a clear pathway for that bacteria to travel to your urethra (where you urinate from) and infect it.
Shaving also poses a risk of ingrown hairs—when hair curls back on themselves and get stuck under the skin, causing sore, painful pimples. And then there's the matter of using a sharp blade in a sensitive area that you can't see very well. If you nick yourself while shaving, the bacteria near your genitals could get in the cut and give you a skin rash. Why put yourself through all the irritation, stinging and redness?
If you still want to shave, do this: (1) Soften hair with warm water; (2) Apply plenty of shaving cream; (3) Use a brand new razor; (4) Shave gently in the direction that the public hair grows. Another option is waxing—which you should let a professional do. A salon can take it all off (a "Brazilian wax) for $25 to $25. One final warning; Keep depilatories like Nair away from your genitals. The chemicals can burn your labia.
Back to sex questions: your body
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