sexual practices

[jaguar238]

Dear Dr.

1) I have started noticing discoloration on th top edges of my labia minor. my vagina is redish in color and the top eadges of the labia minor is turning to brown similar to the stake color when u leave it out exposed for sometime ! im not happy with this discoloration and i wish if there is a cream or any medicine that i can use to turn it back to its original color. im still a virgin and i dont have intercorse, yet, i do use some toys to rub my vagina from the outside ! im not sure whether this had an impact on the discoloration or not. Another thing that i am over weight specially from my lower body part so my thighs are always in friction and i do walk alot ! so does tis also cause the frection of the libia and cause this coloration ? please note that i do live in London so please if u will advise me with a cream or medication, please advise me with something that will be available in the local market here.
2) another question is related to the same problem, i do feel horney few days before getting my monthly period and during the period as well which leads me to rub my vagina externally or to use vibrators on my clit to *** and feel relaxed. honestly, im not happy with this behaviour so please advise how can i overcome this feeling and stop my self from this un healthy behaviour?

Looking forward to your reply
Thank you very much and i apologies if some of my words are improper since my first language is not english.

[Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.]

As you can see from other's comments, your masturbation is seen as perfectly normal and in fact, its good for you!  Women who masturbate to orgasm are more likely to have orgasms when they do have a partner.  It is good for your circulatory system and the production of oxytocin that occurs during orgasm  is a feel good hormone that makes you more content and feel affectionate and more able to bond with another person.. I don't know who told you that masturbation is bad-- but get over it. NO professional who does research on sexual behavior disapproves of it. Yes, there are religious prohibitions against it-- but most modern people simply disregard that as part of the Bible that is a belief of the times and not central to Theology.  Something to 80 percent of all men masturbate and over half of women- in the United States and Canada. I don't know the English statistics but I bet they are similar.
  As far as the discoloration of your vagina--there is nothing I know of that can change it-. It probably has changes as you have gotten older-- vaginas do that!  Men won't care ( at least not one that is worthy of a serious relationship)- most of them couldn't tell you what the color of vaginal lips are for any one they have been with!!
You may however be irritating your vagina by rubbing it between your thighs walking for long times. You could wear a panty liner and thicker cotton panties and that might help you sweat into something that breathes and therefore cause less chafing.. Be sure to wash carefully and put on dry underwear or a new panty liner when you come back from exercising.. That should take care of the redness.  If it doesn't go see a doctor-- you may have a yeast infection or some other issue that occur in women ( and have nothing to do with having had sex with anyone)

[Thee_lisa]

I also get very horny leading up to or during my period.. i always want to have sex.. while im on my period but i know that i cannot because of bleeding etc.. and it wouldn't be too attractive for my boyfriend... but i heard that sex during your period can be brilliant and have easy access to te penis as your vagina is already relaxed as it is letting blood flow out constantly,

so masturbating during pregnancy is not unhealthy

however i would go to a doctor about the discolouration

hope ive helped pet

[chuck111]

I hope you'll take some advice from an older guy.  I can't comment on your first question but I can on your second.  What you are feeling is perfectly normal and you should not suppress it.  It is not unhealthy behavior.  I guess if you did it to extreme you might cause some irritation locally but I don't think you're doing that.  I suggest you give in to your desires and just relax and enjoy it.  I have a suspicion that there's some underlying reason that feel the way you do.  If so, you need to address that but the act of masturbation is completely harmless, even beneficial.

By the way, your English is very good.