So I started to wonder why pussy came to mean female genitalia, and it turned out that there were some really interesting answers. Some were even quite revealing, but they didn’t answer the question completely.
The first answer I found was that it probably means weak, cowardly, and effeminate. And I think this is the most logical reason it came to mean female genitalia, but it’s not really conclusive.
Vaginal Discharge
During the menstrual cycle, vaginal discharge is normal and helps keep your vagina healthy and lubricated. The amount, color and consistency of this discharge varies with each woman’s menstrual cycle.
Discharge consists of mucous and fluid that is produced by the glands in your vagina and cervix. This mucous is mainly made up of cells and bacteria and helps keep the vagina clean and lubricated.
It also helps fight off harmful bacteria and prevent infections. This type of discharge can range from clear to milky white and may have a characteristic scent.
However, abnormally thick or chunky discharge or one that is foul-smelling is a sign of a bacterial infection, sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea or trichomoniasis.
The best way to diagnose a vaginal discharge is by having a physical exam and doing tests to find out what’s causing it. This can include a pelvic exam to look for swelling and a sample of the discharge that’s sent to a lab for testing.
During a physical examination, doctors will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will then perform a pelvic exam to look for swelling or discharge and may take a scraping from your cervix to check for human papillomavirus or cervical cancer. Once a doctor knows what’s causing the discharge, you can be treated for it. This can involve a course of antibiotics or surgery in rare cases.
Skin Rash
Whether you’re a baby or an adult, there are plenty of things that can go wrong with your skin. Usually, these problems clear up on their own, but sometimes they require treatment or management to control symptoms and prevent recurrences.
Some rashes are caused by allergies to substances in the air, food, or medications; other rashes are the result of skin disorders or underlying diseases or infections. Symptoms can vary from a few red, purple or brown patches to severe itching and burning.
A rash can also be the symptom of an STI, such as genital herpes or syphilis. To avoid transmission, use condoms or dental dams during intercourse.
To help the rash heal, try to stop scratching it and stay away from chemicals that might irritate it. Apply hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine to relieve itching.
In some cases, blood tests are needed to rule out an underlying condition that could be causing the rash. Talk with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and medication to treat the rash, according to Refinery29.
If you have a rash, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist (skin specialist) or primary care physician to make sure it’s not something more serious, like a virus, says Dr. Khalil.
Soap or Chemical Vulvitis
Vulvovaginitis is a common condition that affects one-third of women. It occurs when your normal balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina gets out of whack. It may happen for several reasons, including an infection, hormone changes, use of antibiotics, or a reaction to something you put on your vulva or vagina.
Symptoms can include itching and a thick discharge, which can be yellow or green in color. The symptoms can also be painful, and can last for days or weeks.
Soap or chemical vulvitis is most often caused by young girls who use bubble bath or soap before puberty. The vulva is very sensitive to the drying effects of soap and should only be washed with warm water.
Gynecologists recommend using washes that are developed to support and maintain the natural vaginal microbiome and pH balance, not bar soaps. They are formulated with milder surfactants and more emollients to improve skin over time.
Soap and scented soaps can make your vagina more acidic, which is not a good environment for the healthy bacteria in your vagina. They can also cause irritation and imbalances that may lead to an infection or inflammation, which can make your symptoms worse.
Vaginitis
Vaginosis (vaginal inflammation) can be caused by a number of things. These include bacteria, yeast, viruses, and chemicals in products you use. Hormonal changes can also cause vaginitis.
Bacterial vaginosis is the most common type of vaginitis. It happens when the balance of the bacteria in your vagina is thrown off, which causes pain and itching. It usually affects women who have sex regularly. It can also occur in women who aren’t sexually active.
Yeast infections are also very common and can be caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called candida. This fungus normally lives in your body, including your vagina, but it can grow too fast and cause infection.
It can cause itching, redness, and a thick white discharge that is usually odorless. It can also be accompanied by a burning sensation when you urinate.
Your doctor can diagnose a yeast infection by taking a sample of your vaginal discharge. Yeast infections can be treated with antifungal medications.
The doctor might also do a test for sexually transmitted diseases. These can cause vaginitis, but most don’t have symptoms.
A doctor can treat bacterial vaginosis with antibiotics. This is important because it can increase your risk of STIs and other health problems. It can also be a problem for pregnant women.
Vaginal Foreign Object
A foreign object can be a bead, toilet paper, or any other item that can become lodged inside the vagina. The object may cause a bad-smelling discharge, bleeding, or redness.
Symptoms usually occur within a few days after the object is placed. Your daughter’s doctor will examine her and take a vaginal swab and urine sample to find out if she has a bacterial infection.
Your daughter’s doctor can remove the object to treat her symptoms and prevent a possible infection. She can also prescribe antibiotics to treat any infection that the object might have caused.
You can help your daughter avoid the risk of a vaginal foreign object by teaching her to wash her vulva with soap and water after she goes to the bathroom. When she does, she should wipe front to back to reduce the number of bacteria that might get into her vagina.
If your daughter puts an object in her vagina and then forgets about it, she may develop symptoms. These can include a bad-smelling discharge, bleeding, redness, or swelling.
The most common type of foreign body in prepubertal girls is toilet tissue. Other objects reported include crayons, beads, toys, coins, marbles, and hair pins. However, long-standing neglected foreign bodies can be difficult to diagnose and treat in children. This case report illustrates a 12-year-old girl who had a plastic cap of a nail colour inserted into her vagina and developed a vesicovaginal fistula, a vaginolith and vesical calculus.
Bladder Infection
A bladder infection, also known as cystitis, happens when bacteria get into the urinary tract. It’s common and easy to treat, but if you have symptoms that don’t go away, contact your doctor.
Most adults have had a bladder infection at some point in their lives. Women tend to have more of them because they have a shorter urethra (tube that carries urine out of the bladder) than men do.
It’s also more likely for girls to have a bladder infection because they have a more narrow and tight vaginal opening than boys do. This makes it easier for bacteria to travel from the rectum to the urethra.
To help diagnose a bladder infection, your child’s doctor may take a sample of the urine through a catheter or sterile cup. The sample is then used to do a urinalysis, which checks for bacteria or pus, and a urine culture, which tests the sample to see what bacteria are present.
If your child has a bladder infection, your doctor will probably give your kid antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent it from spreading. Antibiotics can help your child get better faster.
Keeping the bladder emptied often, drinking lots of fluids and eating fibre can also help reduce the risk of getting a bladder infection. Wiping from front to back after peeing can help keep bacteria off the urethra, too.