Your Most Intimate Questions Answered: Find out what’s going on DOWN THERE
Tyra’s lady docs Dr. Debby, Dr. Donnica and Dr. Francis get you the answers you need.
1. Is it safe to douche?
Although douching is typically safe, it doesn't really make your vagina cleaner or better, and it may cause more harm than good. Our vaginas are self-cleaning. Just as our eyes use tears to clean themselves, our vaginas use discharge to clean itself, and it's perfectly fine and natural. It also doesn't prevent pregnancy, as is sometimes mistakenly believed.
2. Is it normal to bleed after a pap smear?
It is common to have spotting because the nature of the pap is you are moving cells and removal can irate the cervix and cause bleeding.
3. Is it okay to have sex the night before a pap smear?
If you are going for a regular exam then the answer is yes it is okay.
4. When do I have to start going to the gyno and how often?
Start at 21 or three years after you become sexually active. Girls who are thinking about becoming sexually active should consider going to a gynecologist too for a general check-up and to learn how to protect themselves.
5. What causes my friend’s cycle to sync up?
The medical term for this is "menstrual synchronicity". It usually affects women who live together and is believed to be caused by pheromones (airborne chemical signals that are not consciously detected as odors but are sensed by the nose). Interestingly, this happens in animals as well.
6. Why do I have food cravings during my period?
This generally happens in the 10 days before your period: there are biologic and psychological reasons. Biologically, serotonin (a neurotransmitter) levels decrease at this point in the cycle. Low-levels of serotonin may stimulate an urge to eat carb-rich foods, which in turn increase serotonin synthesis and levels (this is similar to how antidepressants work). Psychologically: decreased serotonin influences mood (badly!), causing increasing anxiety or stress…and stress eating. Also, chocolate is one of the biggest antidepressants.
7. Do artificial sweeteners cause worse cramps?
Artificial sweeteners get blamed for a lot of things but there’s no clinical proof. But if you want to cut it out of your diet and see if it helps, go for it.
Comments
tyra i am 15 and i want to be so much like you. i am like your number 1 fan
Posted by: | June 26, 2008 7:08 PM
Hii Tyra I'am 18 i know its normal, but i'am very shy having relationships with my boyfriend, i'am shy if he sees me down there.
Posted by: josie | June 24, 2008 5:30 PM
hay Tyra,
Girl thank you for that show today you answered alot of my questions i had in my head about men. See im only 20yrs old but i know alot about men so lets jus say im a 20yr old traped with a mind of and 40yr old.
sincerly,
Jasmine Roach
Posted by: jasmine | April 30, 2008 9:26 PM
I LOVED this show, I told all my friends about some of the things you and your guests mentioned. I have a question though, I'm planning on skipping my period next week because its landing on my honeymoon!!! But i'm worried can I still get pregnant if I don't use another method of protection?? HELP!?!?!
Posted by: Gina | April 10, 2008 3:18 PM
Hey Tyra,
I absolutely loved Sue Johanson on your show! I was just wondering if i would be able to purchase the transcripts of her 2 apperances on your show! Thanks a lot!
-Liz-
Posted by: Liz | March 28, 2008 4:46 PM
Dear Tyras' staff,
How come when you guys show women losing weight or show models your always showing thin women? I know in the west coast thin women or in. thick women do exsist and just like the curves weight challange are women who don't need to lose that much weight. I've been trying to get help from my doctor who just tells me to deal with. The big women of this wrld want to be reconized as well. Men only like thin women.
Posted by: Heather | March 28, 2008 12:19 PM
Dear Tyra Banks,
I'm only 14 years old and I do not have any kind of confidence at all. Inside I feel very depressed I feel very emotinal. I have nobody to talk to and I feel very lonely and alone.I really want to enjoy being a kid in school but i just don't have any confidence. I don't no what to do. I know you don't have time to answer this question but I really need your help.So I hope you can help me to try and get through this.
THank You,
Alicia
Posted by: Alicia | March 10, 2008 6:26 PM
Dear Tyra Banks,
I'm only 14 years old and I do not have any kind of confidence at all. Inside I feel very depressed I feel very emotinal. I have nobody to talk to and I feel very lonely and alone. I don't no what to do. I know you don't have time to answer this question but I really need your help.So I hope you can help me to try and get through this.
THank You,
Alicia
Posted by: | March 10, 2008 6:24 PM
is channing tatum gay,straight,or bisexual.I would like to know. if you don't know would you find out and tell me thank you
by the way love your show
Posted by: william | March 4, 2008 10:34 AM
i channing tatum gay,straight,or is he bisexual
Posted by: william | March 4, 2008 10:28 AM
Hi Tyra, I'm only 15and I love watching your show but I can't often because of school. I have a uqesiton I'd like you to answer; I get really sweaty hands even if I'm not stressed or worried or anything. What can I do to stop it, it's gros, I'm embarassed to hold my boyfriend's hand! Please answer this! Thank you in advance! xox
Posted by: Jess | February 3, 2008 2:09 PM
hello tyra!
i love your shows.i always watched them depite of always busy with my 10 mos. old baby girl.Anyway,what i want to ask you is that,can you suggest me something i should do with shaving "down there"?coz after i shave,the next day,it's really very itchy which i thought would be normal but i really cant help it but sratch it till it gets sore...can you suggest something i should do?
Posted by: Ashley | January 2, 2008 10:24 PM
Hey Tyra!! Well, im 16 years old, and have a few questions. Is it bad to shave 'down there?' If I don't I just feel gross and unclean. Do you know what else I could do, because shaving really sucks! It hurts and it's not a great solution to this whole thing. Also, what about thongs? Please help!! Thank you. Love ya lots. bye.
Posted by: courtney | December 31, 2007 11:14 AM
Hey Tyra!! Im 16 years old and I have some questions. Is it bad to shave "down there?" If i don't, i just feel all gross and not clean. I hate it. Do you have any sugestions on what else I could maybe do, because shaving is starting to get on my nerves, and it can hurt. Also, what about thongs? I did watch the show about underwear a while back ago, but im still in the clouds! haha. Well, if you could let me know, it would help me alot! Thank you. Love ya lots. bye.
Posted by: courtney | December 31, 2007 11:09 AM
Hey Tyra!! Im 16 years old and I have some questions. Is it bad to shave "down there?" If i don't, i just feel all gross and not clean. I hate it. Do you have any sugestions on what else I could maybe do, because shaving is starting to get on my nerves, and it can hurt. Also, what about thongs? I did watch the show about underwear a while back ago, but im still in the clouds! haha. Well, if you could let me know, it would help me alot! Thank you. Love ya lots. bye.
Posted by: courtney | December 31, 2007 11:03 AM
Hey Tyra!
Love your show! Wanted to comment about the show "What's Going on Down There" One of your guests, Sarah, was an inspiration for me. I'm around her age and had never had a pap done. I seen her and got the guts to call and make an appointment. It wasn't that I was nervous about having one done, just didn't think I'd need one. The appt was easy, fast and painless, now I wonder why I waited so long. Thanks for airing that show! It'd be great if you could do another like it!
Posted by: roxanne | December 2, 2007 9:49 AM
hetyra i think you should do another show like this one cause it was great and gave out alot of info
Posted by: amanda | November 30, 2007 4:37 PM
What can you do to get rid of vaginal odor after going to your ob-gyn and they say it's normal, but I smell it through my clothes and i feel others can smell it too.
Posted by: Shaq | November 28, 2007 1:45 PM
Hey, Tyra!
I am 15 years old...I had seen ur show "down-there" and i am very thankful that u did that show because I'm pretty sure it helped many women and yound girls to know more bout u know where, it sure helped me. I know u may have answered some similar questions that i have for u but well my question is if it's okay to shave/trim off down there?(because i have it a bit bushy) also, i have been wearing pads ever since i got my period, which was when i was 12, and would it be okay to wear tampoons?
well if u can answer my questions it would be very thankful..
Thanks...ur such a fabulous role model to everyone!!
LOTS OF LUV 4rm CALI
Love u Tyra!!! xoxo
Posted by: Isabel | November 26, 2007 5:32 PM
Hey, Tyra!
I am 15 years old...I had seen ur show "down-there" and i am very thankful that u did that show because I'm pretty sure it helped many women and yound girls to know more bout u know where, it sure helped me. I know u may have asnwered some similar questions that i have for u but well my question is if it's okay to shave/trim off down there?(because i have it a bit bushy) also, i have been wearing pads ever since i got my period, which was when i was 12, and would it be okay to wear tampoons?
well if u can answer my questions it would be very thankful..
Thanks...ur such a fabulous role model to everyone!!
Love u Tyra!!! xoxo
Posted by: Isabel | November 26, 2007 5:29 PM
Hi Tyra,
i was wondering should i trim down there or should i leave it bushy? does the man really mind if his partner is hairy down there or should she shave? do most women shave because they are embarresed or because they think their partner likes it hairless? Well im only 14 and i have a boyfriend and we have been going out for couple weeks and i think i am ready and responsible and can handle the pain. I havent gotten my period yet so can i still get pregnant? well i really appreciate you taking your time and listening to me.
Thanks,
Ash
Posted by: Ashley | November 24, 2007 12:49 PM
hey tyra,
I am 13 and I don't know that much about this kind of thing. Down there hair grows like a man's hairy arm pit BAD I mean bad. Is that normal? I need to know!
Posted by: kelsey | November 21, 2007 5:20 PM
Hi Tyra!I was just wondering if you could let me know the 4 tricks about getting rid of cramps!Well if you would just let me know soon!lovealways-
Jessie
Posted by: Jessie | November 16, 2007 8:41 PM
Hi Tyra! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this particular episode last night. I found it very funny and resourceful! Thanks again!
Posted by: Elaine | November 14, 2007 2:54 PM
Hi Tyra/Co-Workers,
What in the ham fat, chicken sandwich, is really going on down there with me? Why in the heck do I have gray hairs down there? It was first discovered at the age of 34 and now I am 40. Doesn't that only suppose to happen when you're an elderly?
Shaving that sucker can only do so much and probably made it worse. It may be the reason why I have more when it grows back. It's not only down there people, It's on my eyebrow/eyelashes as well. AAAAARRRRGH! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH MY HORMONES?! PLEASE! SOMEONE RESPOND SOON, BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF THIS-I CAN'T UNDERSTAND EMBARRASSMENT!
OTHER THAN DR. MEHMET OZ, CAN I GET AN ANSWER(IF POSSIBLE)FROM A FEMALE'S POINT OF VIEW?
THANK YOU
Posted by: Lena | November 14, 2007 12:45 AM