Whether it’s dealing with another yeast infection, feeling like you constantly have UTIs, or trying to figure out what your discharge means, understanding vaginal health is really important. Here, Jenna Farmer chats to the experts to help you get the lowdown ‘down there’

Whatever you might have read online about vaginal steaming or douching (seriously, don’t do it!), your vagina is pretty clever at keeping itself healthy and clean all by itself. However, many of us find ourselves dealing with common health issues, which, while not usually serious, can be really uncomfortable. About 75% of us are thought to have had thrush – also called a yeast infection – at least once in our lifetime, and, by the age of 24, nearly one third of females will have had at least one episode of cystitis, which affects our bladder, but can also be linked to our vaginal bacteria – more on that in a moment.

These don’t just impact our physical health, but our mental health too. One study in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology found psychological stress was significantly related to the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, a common condition that causes unusual discharge. Topics like vaginal discharge and needing to urinate can also increase our anxiety, worry, and embarrassment about seeking help or speaking about these issues, meaning we might try to self-treat without talking to a professional. Another study from Saint Louis University, in Missouri, found that this can cause real problems, with up to three out of four women being found to treat themselves for a yeast infection that they didn’t actually have.

It’s important to remember that these are common, normal complaints. Here, we’re chatting to the experts to get their tips.

Vaginal discharge: what’s normal?

Everybody gets vaginal discharge, and it’s actually a really good sign that your body is working as it should. This discharge is your vagina’s way of naturally self-cleaning, and the type and quantity of discharge varies from person to person; some people notice it more at certain times of their menstrual cycle, while others may need to use pantyliners on a daily basis.

Nearly all types of discharge are perfectly normal, but if your discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant smell or a change in its colour and texture, it could be a sign of a yeast or bacterial infection. The main thing to watch out for is a ‘change’ – a sign that something is out of the ordinary for you personally.

How can you tackle yeast and bacterial infections?

Yeast infections, or thrush as we often call them, are really common – in fact, some of us may have the Candida bacteria which causes yeast infections, without any symptoms at all. If you notice your discharge is of a white, cottage-cheese like texture, along with vaginal itching or burning, chances are you’ll have a yeast infection, which can be caused by anything from being run down to your contraceptive.

“Fungal yeast

It’s time to tear down those fences (not literally), and connect with the community next door. Here’s how you can strike up a conversation in the street, and turn good neighbours into good friends

For some, the pandemic placed an added significance to our sense of community, as we stayed close to home and people helped each other out. But still, many of us aren’t familiar with who lives on our street, or even next door, with 73% of people in the UK saying they don’t know their neighbours.

I’m a shy person, but really value connecting with others. So, recently, I’ve found myself feeling frustrated at how little I know about the people who share my street, who I see every day. If you’re in a similar boat, you might be asking: what can I do to feel more confident and start making these community connections?

Lend me some sugar

Although we may be unsure about reaching out to our neighbours, there are good reasons to give it a try. “Getting to know our neighbours has so many benefits,” explains life coach Sohaila Sophia. “Even just a simple ‘Hello’ every day can give our wellbeing a huge boost! Increased social connection supports our mental wellbeing, and decreases our rates of anxiety and depression. A sense of social connection is one of our fundamental human needs.”

Developing our relationships with our neighbours builds our sense of community, and helps us feel safer. Plus, you never know if a quick chat with someone about the weather could end up developing into a meaningful friendship, bringing with it all the joys that come with making new friends.

Knowing our neighbours increases our feeling of belonging, too, something Sohaila explains is essential to being happy and fulfilled. “When we feel part of something such as a community, we feel supported, and when we feel supported we can often cope better in life, and experience less stress and anxiety,” she says. “Feeling a sense of belonging to our community can help us to feel like we are living with more purpose and meaning. When we feel as though we are living with more purpose and meaning, we often experience less stress and depression.”

There are pragmatic advantages, too. I’d love to be able to pop next door to ask to borrow their hedge trimmer, or to know I’d have someone to turn to for help if I locked myself out, or had an emergency. With these close-knit connections can spring comfort and support.

Reach for the stars

It’s normal to feel nervous about getting to know your neighbours – I know I certainly do. So, to build your confidence, Sohaila recommends starting with small actions. Smiling or waving, or saying good morning helps to break down barriers. It also shows you’re friendly and open, and the kind of person who would be willing to pause for a chat.

Give it a go and see how your neighbours react. Don’t be disheartened if they don’t seem to acknowledge you – they could have been distracted, having a bad day, or even be taken by surprise. I must ad

Becoming a parent can flip your whole world upside down – with joy and laughter, exhaustion and new pressures – and if you’re finding it hard to recognise the person in the mirror, or the new life you’re adjusting to, you’re not alone. For those struggling with their identity after becoming a mum, our columnist Grace Victory has some words of comfort…

The minute I found out I was pregnant, everything changed – I imagine that’s the same for most expectant mothers. The realisation that this little bundle of joy is growing inside of you fills you with emotions. I cut out certain foods, I limited my caffeine, I religiously took my vitamins, and overnight I became absolutely giddy at the thought of how life was about to be.

And now that Cyprus has been Earth-side for nearly 16 months (how?), I can confidently say that life is beautiful, and chaotic, and wild, and bloody glorious. There are moments where I well-up just looking at his toes or hearing him giggle, and there are times I think “Wow… I am eternally grateful to be alive, and to see my baby grow up.” Being a mama is the best! It’s actually an honour to raise these tiny humans, and even more of an honour to recognise how much they look to you for, well… pretty much everything.

But with all that being said, being a mama can be the hardest, most exhausting job in the world, too. From the minute Cyprus opens his eyes, to the minute he goes to bed, he is go, go, go. At 6am he’s babbling, shouting, laughing, and wanting to play. People were not wrong when they said you don’t know tiredness until you have kids!

Your children become the centre of your world, whether that’s an entirely good thing or not. I know it’s important to still be you, but that honestly feels impossible at times. The moment you give birth, you are no longer your number one priority – they are. You literally have to keep this beautiful baby alive and, let’s face it, nobody actually tells you how? There is no manual to parenting that works for every parent and child across the board. I’m winging it. I’m winging it everyday, and trying my best to be a great mother. Some days I feel like I’m bossing it. Other days I feel like I’m on a loop of “No,” “Don’t touch that,” “You’re going to hurt yourself,” and (my favourite) “Cyprus… why?!”

I don’t get dressed some days. Other days, I do and then I end up with snot, tears, milk, or spaghetti hoops down me. Some evenings, I’m just too tired to cook myself a meal after Cyprus’ evening routine, so it’s either a takeaway, a sandwich, or mozzarella dippers from the freezer. There are moments of “Who am I?”, that can leave me feeling overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or completely deflated.

Becoming a mother can often feel like you’ve lost yourself, or you’ve changed so much you don’t really recognise who you used to be. Maybe you’re exclusively breastfeeding, so your body doesn’t feel like yours anymore. Maybe a traumatic birth means you’

As nine out of 10 school staff feel that children’s education is suffering due to a lack of mental health support, what can be done to better support the next generation?

In research conducted by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), it was found that nine out of 10 school staff felt that children and young people’s education is suffering due to a lack of mental health support.

Surveying school staff in England, 64% of respondents shared that they felt their school didn’t offer enough mental health support to students. Furthermore, while 95% of respondents who worked at schools offering counselling to students reported that demand for these services had increased since the pandemic, just 12% shared that funding had increased, and 20% said that it had actually decreased.

Simon Grieves is the headteacher at Chapel-en-le-Frith High School, in Derbyshire, and this trend is something that he has seen first-hand.

"As we recover from the pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in demand for counselling and at the same time it has become harder to access mental health support outside of school,” Simon shares. “We strongly believe that having easily accessible counselling available in school supports good mental wellbeing. It helps more students continue to access school who might otherwise refuse or opt for elective home education.

"Good mental health supports good progress in lessons and ultimately good examination outcomes. In my view, every child should have access to counselling in school, in the same way that every child has a statutory right to career support. Funding to make this possible should be provided.”

In the survey, 96% of respondents reported that they believe funding for mental health provisions for students should come from the government, and 89% said that additional funding for mental health provisions in schools should be ringfenced, meaning that schools can buy in services.

Currently, many schools in England are forced to use alternative methods to pay for counselling services, with 44% of respondents sharing that their school funds the counselling with the money that comes from pupil premium, and 22% shared that it is funded by the Covid-19 catch-up premium.

In response to this, the BACP is campaigning for the government to fund a paid school counsellor in every secondary school, academy, and further education college in England – England currently being the only country in the UK not to have adopted this model.

“It’s horrifying to see the impact that lack of mental health support is having on children and young people's lives, education and future prospects,” Jo Holmes, BACP’s children, young people and families lead, said.

“Schools are facing an immensely difficult situation as they desperately try to meet the mental health needs of their students, often on a shoestring budget. Our survey shows that nearly all schools that offer counselling are facing a rise in demand for these services since the start of the pandemic. It’

Laura Brand is on a magical mission to help us all embrace creativity and welcome joy into our lives. Through her new book, The Joy Journal for Grown-ups, she’s gifting us with permission to be curious and play, in the most beautiful and nature-inspired ways

Close your eyes for a moment, and think back to when you were a child. What type of playful, creative activity did you love? Now ask yourself: when was the last time you did that as an adult, and what is stopping you from doing it now?

When I did this exercise, I remembered picking up rose petals from the garden and storing them in a jar with water to make ‘perfume’, building elaborate sandcastles bedecked in shells on the beach, and creating a school holiday diary covered in a Smash Hits poster, crammed full of scribbles, postcards, and pictures of day trips and family visits.

Decades later, I know that the rose petal perfume probably isn’t worth pursuing, but seeking out shells to appreciate their beauty, keeping a diary, or drawing pictures of moments that really matter to me? They sound like beautiful things to do.

Author and illustrator Laura Brand is dedicated to championing the benefits of engaging in creative play like this for people of all ages. Her personal adoration of creativity stems back to her childhood, and playtime with her own children, Mabel and Peggy, provided the catalyst for curating and writing two truly beautiful books on the subject.

“When my daughter was born I started to look for ways to be a little bit more mindful in parenthood, and in general adulthood, so I started engaging her with creativity and nature – my passions,” Laura explains. Their discoveries inspired The Joy Journal for Magical Everyday Play, the publication of which prompted heartwarming reader feedback.

“I had so many messages,” Laura beams. “From lovely parents, or the aunts, uncles, and grandparents in some cases, who said that getting outside with the children, using a little bit of imagination, and being permitted to play in a way that’s a bit slap-dash, with an emphasis on ‘have a go’, brought about feelings of nostalgia and a feeling of being nurtured.”

These comments inspired Laura to develop her new book, written for adults: The Joy Journal for Grown-ups: 50 homemade craft ideas to inspire creativity and connection. She focused on activities that she loved or wanted to learn, such as candle and soap making, creating wreaths for any occasion, and experimenting with painted glass – all beautiful, ways to slow down, find our flow, and welcome in some joy. Because, as she explains, that’s a really great thing for grown-ups to do, too.

“We are still allowed, in adulthood, to play. It’s quite hard to remember and do that, and to feel like we’re making the most of our time. The idea is to invite people to try to get into a creative mode and play, and for it not to necessarily result in these big final products or projects, but just to have a go.”

At the heart of Laura’