Herself: Talks with Women Concerning Themselves. E. B. Lowry
or external opening of the vagina is situated just back of the meatus urinarius, also within the folds of the labia. In the virgin it is partly closed by a membranous fold called the hymen or maidenhead. The shape and size of the hymen varies greatly in different individuals, sometimes being entirely absent. After marriage it usually persists as notched folds. The presence of an intact hymen is not necessarily a sign of virginity, nor does its absence necessarily indicate defloration. Its congenital absence or absence at the time of birth is known. It sometimes is injured, or may be destroyed by an accident, as by falling astride of an object; again violent exercise may rupture it (horseback riding). Surgical operations or vaginal examinations, roughly conducted, not infrequently cause rupture. Then, too, authentic cases are on record in which prostitutes have had perfectly preserved hymens. It is well known that the use of vaginal astringents may tone up and narrow the vagina and even restore the hymen to a great degree.
The surface between the vaginal orifice and the anus is called the perineum (Do not confuse this with the peritoneum, for they are entirely different). It is this perineum that sometimes becomes torn during childbirth. The vaginal opening does not always stretch sufficiently to allow the passage of the child's head and the great pressure being exerted on the child by the uterine and abdominal muscles pushes it through, causing the tear. (You will understand this better when I explain about the development and birth of the child.) If this tear is repaired immediately no inconvenience usually results but if it is neglected it may produce a series of complications, some of which are falling of the womb, inflammation and even sterility.
Not directly connected with any of the other organs but still associated with them are the breasts. They vary in size at different periods of life, being usually of small size when the girl is young but increasing in size as the generative organs develop. The breasts consist of fatty tissue surrounding milk glands and ducts. During pregnancy they increase in size and become filled with milk. After the menopause (change of life) they ordinarily shrink in size. The ancient Greek statues, such as the Venus de Medici, long regarded as a type of perfect beauty, the Venus of Capua, regarded as the bust of a perfect form, show that the Grecian ideal of the feminine form had small busts. The modern idea seems to have wandered far from the Grecian ideal and many women devote much time and money trying to develop their busts. Perhaps sometime we will give up trying to be so artificial and conform to Nature's ideal.
Nature has constructed the internal female organs so wisely that we seldom need give them much thought. But the external organs do need our attention every day. I told you that the labia secreted a lubricating material which kept the parts moist, but this secretion must not be allowed to accumulate. The scalp secretes an oil that is necessary to the health of the hair but if this and the perspiration are allowed to accumulate the hair has an offensive odor. So it is with the female organs, the parts must be bathed carefully every day. I have been surprised in the past to find how many intelligent women neglect these parts. Women come for an examination, their clothing is scrupulously clean, their bodies show recent care but in the folds of the labia, especially near the clitoris, I find an accumulation of a cheesy-like material which has an odor very offensive to any truly refined woman. Sometimes in public gatherings, I have been seated near a woman with this same offensive odor very noticeable, and I have longed to tell her how to avoid it, for I am sure others must notice the same odor. But even from a physician, in the privacy of the office, women resent any suggestion that they are not thorough in matters of cleanliness. Daily cleansing of these parts is a necessity. At least once a day these parts should be sponged carefully. The labia should be separated and every fold thoroughly cleansed. Occasional vaginal douches also are necessary, for the various secretions often are retained in the folds of the vagina and cause irritation. But in taking a douche one always should remember to have the water warm. Cold water may produce congestion. The virtue of douches (except when taken for medicinal purposes) lies in their cleansing properties and warm water cleanses even better than cold. Many women produce grave disorders by the use of cold douches under the mistaken notion that they are of greater value than hot ones. A douche should be taken at the close of the menstrual period especially.
These female organs should not be the source of worry but they do require as much or even more attention to cleanliness than we give to our mouths or other parts of the body.
CHAPTER II
MENSTRUATION—PUBERTY—MENOPAUSE
The subject of menstruation seems to be troubling several of you. I am sorry that you did not all have the advantage of having this explained at an early age. You might have been saved a great deal of suffering and causeless worry.
By menstruation, or "the monthlies" as it sometimes is called, is meant the monthly hemorrhage that takes place in the uterus or womb during the child-bearing period of the normal woman except during pregnancy and lactation, when it nearly always is suspended. The child-bearing period commences at the age of puberty and ends with the menopause (change of life).
Puberty is the period of maturing of the sexual organs. It occurs about the age of twelve, although there may be considerable variation as to this. It extends over a period of several years. As a rule, girls mature earlier in warm climates than in cold and in cities than in country districts. The signs of the approach of this period are the growth of hair on the pubes and other parts of the body, the enlargement of the breasts, a general rounding and increased grace of the body, the development of the pelvis so that the hips become more prominent, and a change in the mental qualities of the child, the girl naturally becoming more retiring. The menstrual function usually is not established at once, there being premonitory symptoms of a vague nature. There may be, at first, only a slight discharge of mucus tinged with blood, later the normal menstrual flow will be established.
During this period of puberty there are great changes taking place in the girl's internal organs. This change and development requires considerable of the girl's strength and naturally influences her nervous system. It is for this reason that a girl at this period of her life should not be subjected to any great exertion, either physical or mental. She should have plenty of light, healthful exercise in the open air, but should not indulge in any very violent exercise. A little care at this time often will save her years of suffering. As the nervous system is greatly affected at this period there should be no great mental strain. In fact, if the girl shows many nervous symptoms, it may be wise to take her out of school for a year so that her strength may be used as Nature requires it. As a rule, too much work is required in school at this age. The school duties should be lessened and the girl allowed to rest a day or two during her menstrual period. The girl at this age should not attempt to accomplish as much work or study as the boy does. Her time at this period might better be occupied in learning the rudiments of housekeeping and home-making. Then, when her body has become developed, her strength can be spared and can be well used in the development of her mind. If the nervous strain too common at this age could be relieved we would have fewer nervous women and a healthier and happier posterity.
As puberty approaches, a mother should give her daughter adequate information so that she should not be frightened at the first appearance of the menstrual flow, nor take any risks at this period. Menstruation is the sign of the possibility of motherhood. If properly taught this fact, every girl will be glad she menstruates and will want to be careful during the period. On account of lack of early instruction, many a girl obtains wrong ideas regarding this function and it produces in her a feeling of repugnance. She should be taught the reasons for observing prudence during the menstrual period. The possible lifelong invalidism that may result should be pointed out. A woman owes it to herself to take good care of herself during her menstrual periods. For two or three days at least she should avoid any unnecessary strain, lie down and rest as much as possible and not worry over school or other duties. Especial attention should be paid to cleanliness during this period. A sponge bath taken in a warm room is not injurious and unpleasant odors can be avoided by sponging the parts with a warm antiseptic