Vag acting strange? Baffled by birth control? Top docs give real-talk answers to your most intimate inquiries
Can my gynae tell if I’ve gotten busy before my annual exam?
A If you didn’t use a condom, then probably, says ob/gyn Jennifer Ashton, COSMO Health Advisory Board member. And if she has to dig through semen to see and swab your cervix, you could get inaccurate Pap results. Do yourself – and your doc – a favour and abstain for 48 hours before your appointment.
Should I be worried if I’ve slept with a lot of dudes?
A Real talk: the more sex partners you have, the higher your risk for STIs, says Dr Ashton. That said, as long as you always practice safe sex, get screened for STIs at least once a year, and ask your lovahs to show you their latest test results (and request they hit the doc if it’s been ages since their last scan), you don’t need to stress about it, says Taraneh Shirazian, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Health.
Is it okay to shave those rando hairs on my boobs?
A Yep – you can also pluck them. But as with any other body area, the result could be ingrown hairs, which may cause an infection or scarring, says ob/gyn Sherry Ross, author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide To Women’s Intimate Health. Period. So unless they’re really bothering you, leaving ’em be is also a solid option.
My pee feels hot coming out. What’s up?
This story is from the Jan/Feb 2019 edition of Cosmopolitan - South Africa.
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This story is from the Jan/Feb 2019 edition of Cosmopolitan - South Africa.
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