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wap 101: on lube, cardi b. is right

let's stop denigrating how healthy vaginas work

regardless of whether or not you’ve watched the video, you’ve probably heard of the new cardi b. banger wap featuring megan thee stallion .

while many praise the female rap-duo for their unapologetic depiction of female arousal, there have been some conversations that highlight the continued misunderstanding around female sexuality. wap, which stands for “wet-a** p***y,” debuted at number one on the billboard hot 100 and broke the record for the most streams in its first week.

wap: no shame needed

the vagina creates its own natural lubrication to keep itself moisturized, clean and healthy, according to the university health network . when women become sexually aroused, the vagina will release extra lubricant to cut down on friction. this is one of the incredible ways the body takes care of itself and, on its own, is a sign of health.

shaming women around their body’s natural response to arousal, however, has been happening for centuries and continues today.

in the early 1900s, lysol marketed their products towards women , encouraging them to douche with the disinfectant. these ads went so far as to claim that “poor feminine hygiene” was the cause of many failed marriages. until the 1960s, lysol was used both as hygiene and contraceptive product. reports of burns and even deaths due to “uterine irrigation” during this era show the result of such misinformation.

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products that promise to clean and deodorize the vagina are still widely available online and are decried by ob/gyns across the country.

a 2010 review of more than 150 studies on vaginal douching found that approximately one-third of women in the u.s. still do it today. douching predisposes women to developing bacterial vaginosis and is correlated with an increased risk of cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, and sexually transmitted infections — including hiv.

douching after sex is not only a poor contraceptive method, it also increases the risk of stis as the practice cleans out the good bacteria that helps protect against infection, according to the u.s. office of women’s health . the products also cause dryness (remember, the natural lubricant acts as a moisturizer) and can promote tearing of the delicate skin found inside the vagina, leading to a higher risk of infections.

a change in smell or colour of discharge can be a cause for concern, and women who notice this change in their bodies or have other concerns should speak to a healthcare professional, says medical news today . but otherwise, don’t knock a little extra moisture.

the way a women’s body takes care of itself should be celebrated and is nothing to be ashamed of —  inside the bedroom and out.

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emjones@postmedia.com@jonesyjourn

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