Besties support besties! Here are 5 ways to be there for your squad in their feminine health journey!

Ask a grown-up how they took care of their feminine health and chances are they’d have no way of directly answering you. This is because women’s feminine health is rarely talked about. In our society, it’s still considered awkward or taboo to openly discuss anything that involves our vaginas. Even mentioning your menstruation out loud could solicit a few side-eyes.

And we don’t stan that behavior. So, today we’re going to learn how to be more open with our besties regarding our feminine health journey, free of shame and judgment. Here are 5 ways on how to get started in supporting your squad and creating safe spaces to share the care!

1. Be honest and open.

Before you become a cheerleader for others, you gotta be your own advocate first. So do a little reflecting and figure out your own values first. Ask yourself questions about boundaries—are you comfortable with conversations surrounding feminine health? To what extent is your knowledge about it? Are you practicing what you preach? Be honest about how you live out your own values and be open to any questions your barkada might have when you start the convo.

2. Share products and practices that work for you.

Practical support is one of the best ways to let your barkada know that you’re there for them in their confidence and feminine health journey. Share feminine products and practices that you like and have worked for you, like that one menstrual cup you’ve tried one day and now can’t live without—maybe your BFF needs it too! 

3. Call respective body parts as they are.

You may notice that some people shy away from calling their respective body parts as they are, like using the word “vagina”. Part of being a supporter of women’s health and confidence journey is to not subscribe to these destigmatizing labels of actual body parts because, at the end of the day, it’s just basic biology!

We’ve so long been conditioned to be ashamed of these things that belong to our bodies and are an intrinsic part of who we are, so it’s time you start reclaiming that with your own social circle. How? Unashamedly use the correct terms for your genitalia when you’re in a conversation with your besties in that context, and notice when they feel shy and encourage them that it’s okay. It will be a tough one to unlearn but with practice and intention, a little goes a long way.

4. Educate them about feminine health and hygiene.

As mentioned above, girls get shy about feminine health and hygiene because of the cultural taboo around it, so it’s time you reclaim this by freely sharing medical resources that might be of use to your besties. Start with simple things such as recommending a good period tracker or ovulation app, helping them find a gynecologist in their area, or simply opening the space for them to talk about their feminine health. And for more guidance and learning resources on feminine health and hygiene, check out pHcaretolearn.com.ph

5. Keep the door open for further conversation.

Lastly, let them know they can always talk to you about anything involving feminine health moving forward. Anyone would be delighted to know that they have a feminine health bestie that they can easily text, one who doesn’t judge them, but someone who is also going through it and supporting them in this sometimes confusing yet vital journey in their life! Creating a safe space for your BFFs to talk about this seemingly taboo topic in our society normalizes and destigmatizes the shame surrounding it, in your own inner circle. It’s such a nice and positive feeling to know that, at the end of the day, you’ll have a space to run to (or rant) about this wild, confusing, yet empowering journey you’re on.

Now, go! Be the change you want to see in the world and follow these 5 ways to empower your own friend group towards their own feminine health journey. We’re sure the care will be multiplied! Remember, we’re already in the year 2022 and things such as menstruation, vaginal discharge and feminine health, in general, shouldn’t be seen as embarrassing or shameful, especially in the presence of good friends. And make sure you share the care by sending this article to your barkada group chat so they, too, can start supporting their other friend groups in their respective journeys.