From periods and self-pleasure to daily vulval care, certain areas of women’s intimate health still seem to be taboo (why can mentioning a UTI sometimes feel like the most embarrassing thing?). For many of us, understanding our own bodies – vulvas, orgasms, the colour of discharge – and how to care for them hasn’t come from open conversations or education, but from porn, playground whispers and social media myths. Building regular care routines that target the specific needs of intimate areas is just one way we’ve learnt to familiarise ourselves with, well, ourselves.
‘Most of us weren’t taught much about vulvas or intimate health in an open and normalised way,’ says body casting artist Lydia Reeves, who runs vulva-acceptance workshops to help women feel more comfortable with their bodies. In this judgement-free space, they discuss intimate topics and debunk myths.
‘When you understand what’s normal for you, you’ll stop panicking over every little change,’ she says.‘It can create more trust, more confidence and a better relationship with yourself overall.’
Your body isn’t meant to be ‘perfect’
One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea that all vulvas should look the same. ‘Vulvas differ hugely in shape, size, colour, texture and appearance, and all of that diversity is normal,’ says Lydia – and she should know, after casting more than 100 vulvas for her book, My Vulva And I.
Part of this misconception comes from unrealistic media beauty standards, adds certified sexologist Lucy Rowett. Portrayals of perfectly symmetrical, airbrushed, hairless vulvas distort expectations and confuse what’s understood as the norm. ‘Your vulva isn’t supposed to smell like strawberries and look like a Barbie doll’s.’
Sex educator and psychotherapist Gigi Engle agrees. ‘People think there’s not supposed to be any odour from the vulval area. But it’s exactly like every other body part. Some smell is natural.’
So, what’s actually ‘normal’?
One of the simplest ways to become more in tune with your body is to spend time paying attention to it – a daily care routine that caters to the specific needs of vulval skin will also help build your understanding. ‘Get a mirror and look at yourself regularly,’ says Lucy. ‘Isn’t it weird to be so used to every wrinkle or spot on your face, but barely familiar with another part of your body?’
When it comes to intimate care, being gentle is key. Using products for the vulva that are pH-balanced in your daily shower is best - like Femfresh, for example. All the brand’s products have natural origin ingredient formulas and are clinically tested under dermatological and gynaecological controls for daily use on intimate skin.
Gigi also encourages women to pay attention to physical changes. Discharge can go from clear during ovulation to more white or cloudy at other points of the cycle – all ‘very normal’, she explains.
While vulval sweat and discharge are common, persistent discomfort shouldn’t go ignored. Dryness, irritation, pain during sex or a strong/unusual odour should be checked with a healthcare professional.
Embracing your body
This isn’t just about health – it’s about confidence, intimacy, sex… and realising you probably deserved more than the situationships of your early twenties, too.
‘If we feel negatively about our vulvas, it’s difficult to experience pleasure and connection to that area,’ says Gigi.
Being comfortable in our own skin brings the kind of self-awareness that can make intimacy feel less like a rom-com movie scene (read: those performative ‘oohs and ahhs’), and ultimately more authentic. ‘When you understand your body, you’re more able to recognise what feels good, and what doesn’t,’ says Lydia.
‘It’s not enough to wait for that “unicorn lover” who will magically know what to do – the power is yours,’ agrees Lucy. Say it now: we are all worthy of enjoying sex!
Moving away from shame
It’s clear from these conversations that women deserve a healthier, less shame-filled relationship with their bodies. And perhaps that shift starts with discussing things more openly. ‘If we could talk with confidence and comfort, we’d realise there’s nothing to hide,’ says Gigi.
‘So many of us think we’re alone in our insecurities, but most people carry very similar fears,’ agrees Lydia.
Getting to know your body isn’t about striving for perfection. It’s about curiosity and learning to feel at home in yourself – exactly as you are.
The 411 on Femfresh
While we may think everyday skincare is reserved for the face or neck, Femfresh™ is championing daily, specialist care for intimate areas. With products that slot seamlessly into our daily routines (think: using an intimate wash in your daily shower or carrying wipes in your bag for freshening up), the brand is rewriting the intimate skincare rulebook. After all, why shouldn’t self-care involve a quick cleanse of your vulva?
Formulated to complement the body’s natural processes, all the products are dermatologist and gynaecologist tested for gentle use on the vulva. Washes embrace a less-is-more approach and include the Daily Wash made with 94% natural-origin ingredients and the vegan-friendly Sensitive Wash. They’re all pH balanced to the body’s natural range (which is between 3.8 and 4.5*), so won’t disrupt the microbiome down there. Like we said, less is always more.
Explore the full Femfresh range
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
