I know Im not the only one of my friends who has instantly assumed I was dying of a rare disease anytime I found something unusual with my body. And Im certainly not the only one who slyly shaves my big toe to pretend hair doesnt grow on it.
Some topics feel too embarrassing to bring up even to your best friend. But chances are, these things you think are weird about yourself are actually normal. These 14 things below are some of womens biggest worries and questions about their bodies.
Peeing frequently
Many women worry urinating frequently is a sign of diabetes (because it can be), but if there are no other symptoms to go along with it, youre probably fine. If you drink a lot of water, youre probably going to pee a lot.
Facial hair
Do you secretly wax or shave your lady stache? Youre not alone. Its currently a social taboo to admit that many women have facial hair, but dont think youre alone in dealing with it.
Toe hair
Yeah, youre definitely not the only one with this.
Discharge
Discharge from your vagina is healthy and normal, according to WebMD. It helps prevent infection down there. The color, consistency and smell can vary depending where youre at in your menstrual cycle.
Earwax
Heres the thing everybody has it. Most people dont need to clean it out because your body naturally takes care of it, but most people want to clean it out anyways. Doctors recommend you never clean them out on your own, but if you must, gently clean them out with a Q-tip (no pushing!) and only right after you shower.
Acne as an adult
People talk about acne like its a teenager ailment, but its just not. Acne often gets worse as your body matures. If youre confused why your face still seems to think youre 13, at least get some comfort in knowing the rest of us are all wondering the same thing.
Bumps down there
There are several explanations for bumps you might find on your vulva. Most of them are NOT contagious, NOT life threatening, and NOT STDs, wrote Dr. Charlotte Grayson, an internist and Health Central writer.
Many of these are cysts, which come from a blocked skin gland.
Asymmetrical body parts
Are your breasts different sizes and even possibly different shapes? Dont let that worry you. Just like the sides of your face aren't symmetrical, neither are your breasts. Its completely normal.
Lumps in your breast
Speaking of breasts, you dont have to panic every time you feel a lump in your breasts. While you should definitely be taking precautions for breast cancer by getting mammograms and monthly self exams, most women get lumps that are not cancerous. Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but if youre regularly getting a mammogram, a lump will be spotted long before you can even feel it.
Tiny bumps on your arms or legs
Some people call it chicken skin, but its real name is keratosis pilaris. Many people have it. Its caused by your follicles getting clogged and wont naturally exfoliate. Although you cant completely get rid of it, gentle exfoliation can help. (It was once believed a hard exfoliation was better, but this only agitates the skin.)
Back pain when youre on your period (or just because)
Unfortunately, this is just part of the womanhood terrain. Contractions in your uterus cause back pain, which is why you often feel that lower ache when youre on your period or ovulating.
Extra nipples
This isnt super common, but it is possible and you shouldnt freak out if you have it. According to the BBC, both men and women can develop extra nipples along any area in the mammary line, which stretches from the armpits to the chest and down towards the stomach to the upper thighs and groin.
Cellulite
Dont let anyone fool you cellulite is the norm, not the exception. About 90 percent of women have some level of cellulite even those who are very thin.
"I even treat Victoria's Secret models," Shira Ein-Dor, owner of the American Cellulite Reduction Center told Health.com. "They're very lean, they work out and eat well, they do everything right but they still have cellulite."
Hip dip
Its become a trend in the past few years to try to get rid of the hip dip, that slight inward curve on the upper thighs.
This hip dip may be a natural part of a young womans anatomy, clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg wrote. Its nothing to be ashamed of.
Could you relate to any of these? Turns out, youre probably not so weird after all.
Some topics feel too embarrassing to bring up even to your best friend. But chances are, these things you think are weird about yourself are actually normal. These 14 things below are some of womens biggest worries and questions about their bodies.
Peeing frequently
Many women worry urinating frequently is a sign of diabetes (because it can be), but if there are no other symptoms to go along with it, youre probably fine. If you drink a lot of water, youre probably going to pee a lot.
Facial hair
Do you secretly wax or shave your lady stache? Youre not alone. Its currently a social taboo to admit that many women have facial hair, but dont think youre alone in dealing with it.
Toe hair
Yeah, youre definitely not the only one with this.
Discharge
Discharge from your vagina is healthy and normal, according to WebMD. It helps prevent infection down there. The color, consistency and smell can vary depending where youre at in your menstrual cycle.
Earwax
Heres the thing everybody has it. Most people dont need to clean it out because your body naturally takes care of it, but most people want to clean it out anyways. Doctors recommend you never clean them out on your own, but if you must, gently clean them out with a Q-tip (no pushing!) and only right after you shower.
Acne as an adult
People talk about acne like its a teenager ailment, but its just not. Acne often gets worse as your body matures. If youre confused why your face still seems to think youre 13, at least get some comfort in knowing the rest of us are all wondering the same thing.
Bumps down there
There are several explanations for bumps you might find on your vulva. Most of them are NOT contagious, NOT life threatening, and NOT STDs, wrote Dr. Charlotte Grayson, an internist and Health Central writer.
Many of these are cysts, which come from a blocked skin gland.
Asymmetrical body parts
Are your breasts different sizes and even possibly different shapes? Dont let that worry you. Just like the sides of your face aren't symmetrical, neither are your breasts. Its completely normal.
Lumps in your breast
Speaking of breasts, you dont have to panic every time you feel a lump in your breasts. While you should definitely be taking precautions for breast cancer by getting mammograms and monthly self exams, most women get lumps that are not cancerous. Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but if youre regularly getting a mammogram, a lump will be spotted long before you can even feel it.
Tiny bumps on your arms or legs
Some people call it chicken skin, but its real name is keratosis pilaris. Many people have it. Its caused by your follicles getting clogged and wont naturally exfoliate. Although you cant completely get rid of it, gentle exfoliation can help. (It was once believed a hard exfoliation was better, but this only agitates the skin.)
Back pain when youre on your period (or just because)
Unfortunately, this is just part of the womanhood terrain. Contractions in your uterus cause back pain, which is why you often feel that lower ache when youre on your period or ovulating.
Extra nipples
This isnt super common, but it is possible and you shouldnt freak out if you have it. According to the BBC, both men and women can develop extra nipples along any area in the mammary line, which stretches from the armpits to the chest and down towards the stomach to the upper thighs and groin.
Cellulite
Dont let anyone fool you cellulite is the norm, not the exception. About 90 percent of women have some level of cellulite even those who are very thin.
"I even treat Victoria's Secret models," Shira Ein-Dor, owner of the American Cellulite Reduction Center told Health.com. "They're very lean, they work out and eat well, they do everything right but they still have cellulite."
Hip dip
Its become a trend in the past few years to try to get rid of the hip dip, that slight inward curve on the upper thighs.
This hip dip may be a natural part of a young womans anatomy, clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg wrote. Its nothing to be ashamed of.
Could you relate to any of these? Turns out, youre probably not so weird after all.
