Tips and thoughts

Vaginal dryness after your period (and before it): why it happens and what helps

Dry or itchy after your period? Menstrual blood (around pH 7.4) pushes vaginal pH up while estrogen is at its lowest. Why it happens, why you may also feel dry...

Best lube for menopause dryness: what to look for, and what our 56+ tester measured

After menopause the vaginal lining is thinner and pH runs higher, so lube osmolality and pH matter more than ever. What to look for in a menopause lubricant, why oils...

What does BV smell like? Fishy vs sour vs metallic, and what each smell means

BV smells fishy, and the smell is usually strongest after sex or around your period. How it differs from a normal sour smell, yeast and trich, why most BV has...

UTI vs yeast infection: how to tell the difference (and why one can follow the other)

UTI or yeast infection? Where it burns, what itching and discharge tell you, why a yeast infection doesn't cause a UTI but UTI antibiotics can trigger yeast, and when to...

Burning after sex: friction, lube, pH, a UTI, or something else?

Burning after sex is usually friction, the wrong lube or a short pH shift from semen. How to tell it apart from a UTI, yeast, BV, trichomoniasis, semen or latex...

Why does my period smell so bad? Period blood smell, odor after your period, and when it's BV

Period blood smell and vaginal odor after your period are usually normal: iron, time and a temporary pH shift. What metallic, sour, fishy or rotten smells mean, when it is...

Dry, itchy vulva with no discharge: skin causes and what helps

A dry, itchy vulva with no discharge is usually a skin problem, not an infection: soap, wipes, allergies, shaving or low estrogen. How to clean your vulva, what to moisturize...

Can you use Vaseline, lotion or aloe vera as lube?

Out of lube and looking at what's in the bathroom? Here's how Vaseline, body lotion and aloe vera gel actually behave inside the vagina, which one is least risky, and...

Can lube cause a UTI? The best lube if you're UTI-prone

Lube doesn't cause a UTI directly. The wrong lube changes the bacteria around your urethra, and that's what opens the door. Which ingredients to avoid, and the checklist for UTI-prone...

Can lube cause a yeast infection or BV? Or is it irritation?

Drugstore lubes are often many times more concentrated than your body and contain preservatives and propylene glycol that irritate the vaginal lining. Sometimes that tips you into yeast or BV;...

Why does lube burn? Osmolality, pH and your cycle

Lube burns for two reasons: it's far more concentrated than your body (the product's fault), or your vaginal pH has shifted that day (not the product's fault). Here's how to...

Glycerin-free, pH-balanced lube: how to choose one that's safe for your vaginal microbiome

Most lube labels skip the two numbers that matter — pH and osmolality — and list only functional ingredients. Here are the red flags, the three non-negotiables, and the rare...

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