Getting pregnant and giving birth is the most crucial part of a woman’s life, and it can greatly impact her whole body in one way or the other. Here are 5 changes that may occur to your vagina after giving birth.
- Vaginal dryness becomes annoying, but it quickly resolves, too
Right after giving birth, your vagina could be suffering from prolonged dryness.
This is mainly caused by hormonal imbalances (in fact, your hormones are trying to get back to their normal states) so this should usually not be a source for concern.
The main hormone that is a big player in this dryness is oestrogen. This female sex hormone helps keep your vagina moist and when you have such a low level of it, right after giving birth, it is typical to experience vaginal dryness.
So what prevents your estrogen levels from spiking after birth? Well, according to an article on the Health publication, breastfeeding is the main culprit.
Making milk requires a lot of this prolactin. Unfortunately, increased prolactin secretion prevents estrogen production, which is responsible for moistening your petals.
Thus you are likely to experience vaginal tautness and thinning due to dryness.
But since the hormone levels can go back to normal, you just need to be patient about it. Certain diets and lifestyles can help accelerate the return of your estrogen hormone but it is not super big of a deal.
Breastfeeding usually keeps estrogen levels low for quite a while, but if you aren’t doing it, it will return after some 12 weeks.
- Your entire butt will hurt a lot
Well, what did you expect? Of course, the vagina, perineum, and butt are going to hurt like heck after pushing out a tiny human being from down there.
So, this is expected and just a normal part of the process. If your baby delivery included tearing, the pains may be greater and your recovery period may be longer.
Don’t be afraid though, there are ways you can ease the pains and most importantly, during this period, just be nice to yourself.
You have just contributed a large deal to mankind, there is no need to be hard on yourself and force your body to feel ‘better’ soon so you can go back to your worldly duties.
It is helpful to not eat things that can harden your poop during this period as answering nature’s call during such a time may be extremely painful, too.
- Some odours and continual blood clots
After giving birth, your vagina will still continue to release discharge that contains tissues, blood, and mucous. This residual discharge is called lochia and is just a natural part of your biology after you have given birth.
It is no health concern whatsoever, but it may offer some discomfort in the form of unpleasant odours.
According to a publication on the BUMP website, this discharge, called lochia typically smells just like your discharge during menstruation, but some blood clots may be more common during this time due to the complexity of pregnancy and birth.
Lochia typically lasts up to 4 to 6 weeks, being heavy during the first few weeks following deliver. But, it is quite quick to resolve, actually.
Lochia usually feels like super heavy menstruation, so it is common to need to wear a postpartum diaper.
But it gets lighter towards the end of the second week, eventually turning to a light spotting. Still, it could occasionally come and go until it stops completely.
The volume and color of the discharge could change with your level of activity.
Actually, the underpadding is more of postpartum underwear and pads. These items are specially made to cater to handling postpartum discharge. All in all, it’s just a little annoying sometimes.
- The vulva might change colour
The vulva is the part of your reproductive organ that is immediately visible to the eye. We mistakenly call it the vagina, but the real vagina is the inner canal that you get to after you pass the vulva.
With that said, after giving birth, a woman’s vulva might change in colour. Of course, this does not happen to all women, all the time, but there are certain occurrences of this.
It has been noted by experts that women whose natural skin colour is on the lighter side may notice this change of colour more than others.
A darkening of the vulva skin is only normal after you have gone through the process of pregnancy and childbirth, so, as long as there is nothing else that pains you after childbirth, this change in the skin colour of your vulva should not be a source of concern.
- You might piss yourself without meaning to
One difficulty that may follow after giving birth is incontinence. Childbirth is a pretty wild thing and it can easily damage your pelvic floor muscles.
When this happens, your pubococcygeal PCC muscles get so weak that it may be difficult to hold back the urge to pee.
Like, although your brain knows not to pee while standing up or when you are laughing, the pelvic floor muscles simply can’t do their job properly, now that they are weak and loose.
What causes the PCC muscles to slacken after child birth? It’s the stretching you experience while delivering.
The extent of vaginal stretch depends on the size of the baby, your genetics, and how many deliveries you’ve had previously.
According to an article appearing on the What To Expect website, how long you push and whether you’ve delivered via a C-section, also influence the level of PCC muscles damage.
So, if you happen to fear this happening to you, you can still be wearing a postpartum diaper. Meanwhile, Kegel’s exercises are very much recommended for women who have just given birth.
Kegel’s exercises are amongst the top methods of gaining PVC muscles strength back after giving birth. If it’s too difficult to do on your own, there are classes dedicated to this need.
In conclusion, nobody tells people what happens to the vagina after giving birth or what it looks like. Learning about pre-pregnancy is essential, but it is also better to learn more about the post-delivery body as it can lead to postpartum depression.
What Your Period Says About Your Health
The menstrual cycle is a natural process that occurs in the female body, typically every 28 days. It is a sign of reproductive health and serves as an indicator of overall wellbeing. While many women may view their period as an inconvenience, it is an essential part of the female body and can provide valuable insight into one’s health.
The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a crucial role in the development and release of the egg from the ovary and the thickening of the uterine lining. When the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining sheds, resulting in menstrual bleeding.
The length and regularity of a woman’s menstrual cycle can vary, with some lasting anywhere from 21 to 35 days. However, any significant changes in the cycle can be an indication of an underlying health issue. For example, irregular periods can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects hormone levels and can lead to fertility problems. Additionally, missed or infrequent periods can be a sign of thyroid issues or excessive exercise, both of which can affect hormone levels.
The length and flow of a woman’s period can also provide insight into her health. A normal period typically lasts between 3 to 7 days, with the average blood loss being around 30-40 milliliters. Any significant changes in the length or flow of a period can be an indication of a health issue. Heavy or prolonged bleeding can be a sign of uterine fibroids or endometriosis, while light or short periods can be a sign of low estrogen levels.
The color and consistency of menstrual blood can also provide information about one’s health. A healthy period typically consists of bright red blood with no clots. However, dark or brownish blood can be a sign of an underlying issue, such as low estrogen levels or a hormonal imbalance. Clots during a period are also not normal and can be a sign of a miscarriage or fibroids.
Pain and discomfort during a period are common, but severe or debilitating cramps can be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Menstrual migraines, which occur during a period, can also be a sign of hormonal imbalances or thyroid issues.
Furthermore, the emotional and psychological changes that occur during a period can also be an indication of overall health. Mood swings, irritability, and depression during a period can be a sign of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is caused by changes in hormone levels. However, severe emotional changes can be a sign of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a more severe form of PMS that requires medical attention.
It is essential to track and monitor one’s period regularly to identify any changes that may indicate a health issue. This can be done through a period tracking app or a simple calendar. Keeping a record of the length, flow, and symptoms of each period can help identify patterns and abnormalities. Any significant changes or concerns should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
In conclusion, a woman’s period can say a lot about her overall health. Changes in the length, flow, color, and symptoms of a period can be an indication of an underlying health issue. It is crucial for women to pay attention to their menstrual cycle and to seek medical advice if they notice any significant changes. By understanding what your period says about your health, women can take control of their reproductive health and overall wellbeing.
