Genitalia in women include; the labia, vagina, and clitoris, the external areas of the sex organs. The vagina will often give off an odor and discharge as part of its daily routine. It is important for women to get to know their bodies, so they are able to catch problems early on. Since the dawn of time, women have been taught the vagina is dirty and told not to look or touch except to wipe. The truth is the vagina is a part of you and just as you would explore your mouth and teeth, you should also explore your vagina. Learning its normal smells and discharges will help you notice immediately when things are off.

Cleaning the vagina is important, but very simple. You never want to be too rough around the vagina as you could unknowingly cause small rips and tears which can lead to a bacterial infection.  You can clean the vagina with a mild soap while in the shower; make sure to clean around the anal area as well. You don’t need to clean inside the vagina or anus; the body has its own internal cleaning system. Douche should never be done. The vagina is full of good and bad bacteria and while douching will get rid of the bad bacteria, it will also destroy the good, disease fighting bacteria.

Discharge is a normal occurrence; this is the vagina’s way of removing bacteria from the body. The discharge will change throughout the menstruation cycle, so it is a good idea to know what to expect. Thick, white discharge normally occurs at the beginning or end of your cycle. If the discharge is accompanied with itchy, it may indicate a yeast infection. If the discharge is clear and stretchy it simply means you are ovulating. Clear and watery discharge is normal at any point in your cycle. Brown discharge usually happens right after your period and is just old blood coming out. Yellow or green discharge is the bad kind, this indicates an infection. Also, if your discharge has a foul odor to it or you feel pain in the vagina, this also indicates infection.

If you have any sort of discharge or smell that is abnormal its best to consult your doctor. Females also need to be seen by their doctor once a year for a physical checkup. During this check up, the doctor will make sure all your internal and external organs are working properly. He or she will also feel your uterus to make sure it is healthy. You should get a pap smear each year; this is done by taking some cell samples from the cervix and then testing them for cancer or other diseases.

Genitals are the sex organs on the outside of the body. For men that means penis, scrotum, and perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus).  Daily washing of these areas are important. You can use a mild soap and water, easy to do while in the shower. Make sure you also wash the area around the anus since you don’t want to get that bacterium up near your penis or scrotum. Practice good hygiene as well, by washing your hands each time you go to the bathroom. Even if you urinate and feel you don’t need to wash because you didn’t touch the urine, you did touch the door, the stall, the urinal, and the toilet flusher all of which carry bacteria.

There are slight differences in cleaning the penis if you are uncircumcised.  An uncircumcised penis is one that still has the foreskin covering the penile head. The foreskin needs to be pulled down until the head of the penis is exposed and then the area around washed. Do not force the foreskin down, as you may damage it. It is important to pull the foreskin down and wash under and around it; this area is not ventilated and a substance called smegma can build up under the foreskin. Smegma keeps the foreskin lubricated and can assist during intercourse. However, too much smegma, built up over time, can harden and cause infection.

It is important for men to wear loose fitting clothing, especially pants and underwear. Anything too tight will lock in moisture and heat, which is the breeding ground for bacteria. Also, be weary of sharing towels in the locker room as bacteria can be spread easily that way.

Penile discharge is not very common; in fact, if it isn’t semen or urine leaking out of the tip you should see a doctor. Abnormal discharge from the penis is normally the first sign of a sexually transmitted disease. If the discharge is yellow or green and accompanied by pain, rash, itching, or problems urinating, get to a doctor ASAP.

Men should also learn how to perform self-examinations, feeling for lumps or bumps on the testicles and looking out for abnormalities early on. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of getting a physical every few years. Unlike women, it isn’t necessary to get a physical every year until you are 50 or older. It is a good idea to go every other year or at least every 3 years. The doctor will show you how to do a self-exam and they can answer any questions you may have about abnormalities or genital health in general.