Clitoris

• You might’ve heard the stereotype that feminists are just angry women who need to find a man who can satisfy them sexually.
• It is an old trope that has been with us since at least the 1970s.
• In fact, feminist women report their sex is more cuddly, loving and pleasurable — some might say better — than those who are not feminists.

Feminists report having better sex

• However, women who claimed a feminist identity were more likely to report their most recent sexual encounter included kissing and cuddling than non-feminist women.
• This data suggests that feminists are not sad and lonely, but they are engaging in loving, enjoyable sex to a greater extent than non-feminists.

The clitoris is where it’s at

• One difference between feminist and non-feminist women that stood out the most in my research relates to the pleasure centre of the female body: the clitoris.
• Clitoral stimulation is the path to sexual pleasure and orgasms for women, feminist or not.
• A feminist sensibility might consider it obvious that women should have as much sexual pleasure as men, and their sexual behaviours reflect that ideal.

Why might feminists have better sex?

• Feminists are more likely to be in social circles with other feminist friends, and they might be more comfortable talking about sex and pleasure, giving them a chance to discover what they want from sexual encounters.
• Read more:
  Men who identify as feminists are having more — and more varied — sex

• Women who have sex with women are also more likely to receive oral sex than women with men partners.
• Whether it is through personal empowerment, better communication or sexual partners who are willing to give them what they need, feminists are having sex that is kissy, cuddly and stimulating.

Tina Fetner receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

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• I didn’t know I had a vulva until I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus and stage three vulval cancer.
• She spoke of her anger at how, despite numerous doctor appointments, her cancer was not spotted until it was at an advanced stage.
• Baumhauer had had symptoms since the age of five, feeling burning pain “like razor blades” when going to the toilet.
• Despite undergoing 58 rounds of radiotherapy in 2016- 2017, Baumhauer experienced a recurrence in 2023 and had to have further surgery.

A disturbing silence

• There are accounts of women experiencing dyspareunia (pain during sex) in ancient Egyptian papyri.
• Yet today there is still an oppressive silence around the vulva and vulval disease.
• This article is part of Women’s Health Matters, a series about the health and wellbeing of women and girls around the world.
• So young women and those who menstruate grow up thinking gynaecological pain is just something to be accepted, even expected.
• Instead, we receive the message that we shouldn’t be surprised when we experience pain or itching, but we also shouldn’t talk about it.

Breaking the silence

• In the 1970s and 1980s, women began to break the silence and share their breast cancer experiences with the public.
• The disease claims tens of thousands of lives a year, but a silence surrounded it meaning many missed the early signs.
• And recently singer Meghan Trainor shared her experience of vaginismus, a condition causing the pelvic muscles to tense up painfully during sex.
• Visual, literary and performing arts can be powerful tools for breaking down stigma.

• Tampons are safe and convenient, especially if you’re going to the beach, swimming or doing something physically active.
• You can’t feel a tampon once it’s inserted properly, which is why some people prefer tampons to pads or period undies.
• Just like pads and period undies, tampons come with different absorbencies, such as “mini” or “light”, “regular” and “super”.

How to insert

• The vagina is a stretchy muscular tube and has plenty of room to accommodate a tampon.
• If you want to, you can practise using a tampon between your periods, or when your flow is light.
• Wash your hands first, then get a mini-sized tampon and make it slippery by putting some water-based lubricant on it.
• Pull the string so it reaches its full length before you insert it.
• Gently put the tip of the tampon into the opening and then push it up and back with your finger.

Toxic shock syndrome

• You might have heard about something called Toxic Shock Syndrome.
• This is caused by a bacterial infection that releases toxins into the blood and is a serious condition.
• These days toxic shock syndrome is extremely rare (about 0.001% of people), and still only occurs if tampons are left in for several hours, allowing the bacteria to multiply.

Environmentally friendly options

• If you’re in a public toilet, there should be bins inside toilet cubicles for all disposable period products.
• At home, you could wrap it in tissue and put it in a rubbish bin.
• You might also be aware people are now looking at environmentally friendly alternatives to disposable pads and tampons.
• And don’t forget there are always adults out there who are willing and able to give you advice and help.