For too long, women’s health has been brushed aside as taboo. From anatomy basics to menopause, generations of women have been left without the knowledge we need to understand, support, and advocate for our bodies. The result? Pain and symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” women feel alone when facing changes, and crucial conditions go undiagnosed for years.
It’s time to change the conversation. Here are the ABC's of Women’s Wellness & Intimate Care—an A–Z guide to the truths, tools, and insights every woman deserves.
A – Anatomy
One of the biggest gaps in women’s health education starts with simple language. The vagina is the internal canal, while the vulva is the external anatomy that includes the labia, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening. Yet most of us grew up thinking “vagina” meant the whole thing.
👉 Why it matters: Knowing your anatomy isn’t just about accuracy—it’s about empowerment. If you don’t have the right words, it’s harder to explain symptoms, advocate for care, or even notice what’s normal for your body. Understanding the difference between vulva and vagina is the foundation of body literacy.
B – Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
BV is the most common vaginal infection, caused by an imbalance in bacteria. It’s not an STI, but untreated BV can increase your risk of one. Typical signs are a strong, fishy odor or thin gray/white discharge.
👉 Why it matters: BV often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Left untreated, it can lead to recurrent infections. The good news? Once diagnosed, it’s usually easy to treat.
C – Cycles & Periods
Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about your period—it’s a window into your overall health. A “typical” cycle lasts 21–35 days and includes four phases: menstrual (bleeding), follicular (hormone rise), ovulation, and luteal (hormone dip). Each phase affects energy, mood, and physical symptoms.
👉 Why it matters: Pain that keeps you in bed, heavy bleeding, or cycles that are very short or very long aren’t just “bad periods.” They may signal conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, or thyroid issues. Tracking your cycle gives you and your provider valuable insight into what your body is telling you.
D – Discharge
Vaginal discharge is your body’s way of cleaning and protecting itself. It changes throughout your cycle—clear and stretchy during ovulation, thicker or creamier at other times.
👉 When to seek help: If it turns green, gray, or yellow; has a strong odor; or comes with itching, burning, or pelvic pain. These may signal infections like BV, yeast, or STIs.
E – Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus—on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even beyond. This tissue responds to hormones, leading to inflammation, scarring, and often severe pain.
👉 Why it matters: Endo affects 1 in 10 women, yet diagnosis often takes 7–10 years because pain is minimized as “normal.” If your periods interfere with daily life, you deserve to be evaluated for more than “just bad cramps.”
F – Fibroids
Fibroids are noncancerous growths in or on the uterus. They can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic/back pain, and fertility issues. They’re extremely common, especially in women in their 30s and 40s, yet often overlooked.
👉 Why it matters: Fibroids are treatable. If you’re soaking through pads hourly, passing large clots, or struggling with anemia, ask about fibroid screening.
G – G-Spot Debate
The “G-spot” isn’t a button—it’s a sensitive area of tissue connected to the clitoral network. Some women feel more sensation there, some don’t.
👉 Why it matters: Sexual health isn’t just about preventing disease—it’s about pleasure and comfort. If sex is consistently painful, that’s a reason to seek care.
H – Hymen Myth
The hymen is often misunderstood--and it has nothing to do with virginity. The hymen is a thin piece of tissue at the vaginal opening that can stretch or tear from many activities--not just sex. It naturally varies, and can stretch or tear through exercise, tampon use, or just living life. Its condition says nothing about sexual history.
I – Incontinence
Bladder leaks after childbirth, during exercise, or with age are common—but not “just part of being a woman.” They’re a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction.
👉 Why it matters: You don’t have to live with it. Pelvic floor therapy and lifestyle adjustments can dramatically reduce or eliminate leaks.
J – Journaling
Journaling is body literacy in action. For menstruating women, it helps track cycle patterns like cramps, PMS, and discharge. For women in perimenopause or menopause, it helps track hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, and sleep changes.
👉 Why it matters: Journaling turns invisible symptoms into visible trends. It gives you language and data to bring to your provider, speeding up diagnosis and care.
K – Knowing Your Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and bowel. Weak, tight, or uncoordinated muscles can cause leaks, pain, or prolapse.
👉 Why it matters: Most women don’t learn about their pelvic floor until something goes wrong. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a game-changer—but only if you know it exists.
L – Libido Fluctuates
Desire isn’t constant. Stress, sleep, medications, and hormone shifts all play a role.
👉 Why it matters: Low libido isn’t a flaw—it’s a sign worth exploring. Addressing root causes (like stress or dryness) can make intimacy healthier and more enjoyable.
M – Menopause
Menopause is defined as 12 months without a period. Symptoms may include hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disruption.
👉 Why it matters: Menopause is natural, not a disease. With support—from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy—it can be a time of freedom, not fear.
N – Nutrition for Hormone Health
Hormones rely on nutrients like iron, magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc. Gaps in nutrition can worsen fatigue, PMS, and cycles.
👉 Why it matters: Food is powerful prevention. Supporting your body with the right nutrients helps stabilize hormone function and energy.
O – Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Ovarian cancer lacks a simple screening test, and its early symptoms (bloating, pelvic pain, frequent urination, feeling full quickly) are often dismissed.
👉 Why it matters: If symptoms happen daily for weeks, seek care. Awareness is one of the best defenses.
P – Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the years before menopause when hormones fluctuate. It often starts in your 40s, with irregular cycles, hot flashes, brain fog, and mood changes.
👉 Why it matters: Many women mistake symptoms for stress or aging. Knowing the signs helps you prepare and seek support sooner.
Q – Queefing
Air release during sex or exercise is normal and harmless.
👉 Why it matters: If paired with pain or heaviness, it may point to pelvic floor issues that deserve evaluation.
R – Recurrent UTIs
Getting UTIs more than 2–3 times a year can mean an underlying issue like anatomy, hormones, or microbiome imbalance.
👉 Why it matters: Preventive strategies exist—you don’t have to live on repeat antibiotics.
S – Sexual Health Screenings
Many STIs are silent. Regular screenings protect your health and fertility.
👉 Why it matters: Screenings aren’t shameful—they’re part of self-care.
T – Toxic Shock Syndrome
Rare but serious, TSS is linked to leaving tampons in too long.
👉 Why it matters: Change tampons every 4–8 hours and use the lowest absorbency needed. Overnight, consider a pad, cup, or period underwear.
U – Uterine Health
Heavy bleeding, long cycles, or severe cramps may point to conditions like fibroids, adenomyosis, or endometriosis.
👉 Why it matters: If your periods interfere with life, it’s not “normal”—it’s worth evaluation.
V – Vaginal pH
The vagina is naturally acidic, protecting against infection. Harsh soaps, douching, and fragrances disrupt this balance.
👉 Why it matters: Less is more. Stick to gentle, pH-balanced vulvar care only.
W – Women’s Health
For centuries, women’s health has been under-researched and stigmatized. This lack of investment has left women unprepared for everything from menstruation to menopause.
👉 Why it matters: Speaking openly and demanding more research ensures better care for future generations.
X – eXploring Your Body
Most women grow up never looking at or understanding their vulva. Exploring with a mirror helps you know what’s normal for you.
👉 Why it matters: Familiarity with your anatomy builds confidence, reduces shame, and helps you notice changes early.
Y – Yeast Infections
Itching, burning, and thick discharge are common yeast symptoms—but not every irritation is yeast. Sometimes it’s BV or another infection.
👉 Why it matters: Recurrent “yeast infections” may be misdiagnosed. Testing ensures the right treatment and lasting relief.
Z – Zzzz’s & Hormones
Sleep is often overlooked, but it’s essential for hormone balance, mood, and vaginal health. Poor sleep can worsen PMS, lower libido, and intensify perimenopause or menopause symptoms.
👉 Why it matters: Prioritizing rest isn’t indulgent—it’s healthcare. Protecting your sleep supports every stage of your reproductive life.
From Anatomy to Zzzz’s, women’s health is full of truths we should have been taught. Breaking the silence means replacing shame with knowledge, confusion with clarity, and isolation with empowerment.
These ABCs aren’t just an alphabet—they’re a toolkit. A toolkit to help women understand their bodies, advocate for their care, and thrive at every stage of life.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the ABCs of women’s wellness?
The ABCs of women’s wellness is an A–Z guide that highlights important topics in women’s health and intimate care, from Anatomy and Cycles to Menopause and beyond. It’s designed to educate, empower, and fill in the gaps left by traditional health education.
2. What’s normal vaginal discharge?
Normal discharge changes throughout your cycle—it may be clear and stretchy during ovulation, and thicker or creamier at other times. Seek care if discharge is green, gray, yellow, has a strong odor, or is paired with itching or burning.
3. What are common signs of perimenopause?
Perimenopause often begins in the 40s and includes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, brain fog, mood shifts, and vaginal dryness. It can last several years before menopause (12 months without a period).
4. What are early signs of menopause?
Menopause is reached when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. Early signs can include irregular cycles, hot flashes, sleep disruption, and changes in libido or vaginal comfort. These are natural but manageable with the right care.
5. When should I see a doctor about my period?
Seek medical advice if your periods are extremely painful, last longer than 7 days, come less than 21 or more than 35 days apart, cause you to soak through pads or tampons hourly, or if bleeding interferes with daily life. These can signal conditions like fibroids, PCOS, or endometriosis.
Comments (0)
Back to monologues blog