Female genital piercings - what the FAQ's don't tell you.

At A Glance Author Fidget Artist various Studio various Location various

I guess you could say that I've done everything right when it came to body piercing. Whenever I get interested in a new piercing I read as many of the related experiences as possible and talk to friends who have the same piercing. I read all the FAQ's that are relevant. I research the piercer thoroughly and spend time speaking to them about the risks and benefits involved. And I follow all the aftercare recommendations to the letter. What I've discovered is that for all the talk and reading, nothing compares to having one for learning the most about living with it.

The following is a compilation of advice that I never heard about before I got pierced. It comes from my own experiences, and those of my friends. Mostly it concerns female genital piercings, but in some cases can also apply to other body locations, as well as to males. So read on, learn something new, and laugh if you want... because here's what you won't hear anywhere else.

* Don't use sponges or facecloths to clean a piercing that is not healed. Bacteria thrive on moist, damp surfaces such as sponges and are easily transferred to your body, which can infect a fresh piercing. Soap and water - and clean hands - work best.

* Even in healed piercings, don't use those puffy mesh-like sponges if you wear barbells. The ends of the barbell get caught in the mesh and can tear your skin. If you like to really scrub your skin, buy a bath brush, but avoid the pierced area.

* Likewise, don't wear lace underwear. Barbells will catch on the material. This applies to nipple and navel piercings too.

* If you are menstruating during the healing process, tampons are preferable over sanitary pads. Tampons will ensure that menstrual fluids do not come into contact with the piercing. Some women have said that pads have also put extra pressure on their piercing, which is uncomfortable. Either one you choose should be unscented, to avoid contact with perfumes and chemicals.

* Beware tampon strings, which can become wrapped around barbells and through CBR's. A friend nearly ripped out her inner labia piercing when the string got caught through her CBR.

* Always remember to wipe yourself from front to back after using the toilet. Feces should never come into contact with an unhealed piercing. A little tip is to keep a squeeze bottle of warm water beside you so that when you're done you can rinse yourself first, then wipe dry. It's like a miniature bidet, in a bottle.

* Thoroughly wash all sex toys in hot water with antibacterial soap after each use. If shared, put a condom on them and change condoms between partners. Hard plastic vibrators can cause very painful sensations in a new piercing, especially if they come into contact with metal. Silicone or rubber ones are better, but can still be too intense for the first few weeks.

* Do not use perfumes, personal hygiene sprays, powders, etc... during the healing phase. They contain chemicals that can harm your piercing and prolong healing.

* As well, do not use medicated creams such as Vagisil�, or those for yeast infections. Always speak to your doctor regarding the safety of any necessary medications, such as vaginal suppositories for treatment of yeast infections.

* Shaving and waxing can be very irritating at the best of times. If you're not used to it, avoid it during the healing phase. Ingrown hairs and the itch caused by stubble can aggravate a new piercing. It's best just to trim the hair for the first few weeks.

* It seems silly to say it, but if you're wearing pants be careful when sitting down. Pressure caused by inner leg and crotch seams, and the tightening of the material can be quite painful. Same thing when you're getting up from a sitting position.

* Don't wear nylons or pantyhose during the healing time. The material used is not breathable and does not let air circulate to your piercing. Stockings that stay up by themselves or with garters are better.

Of course, I always recommend following the advice of your piercer. If you experience anything unusual or have any questions definitely speak with him or her. And don't worry about sounding silly or ignorant, they have probably heard it all before, and any professional piercer will always take the time to reassure you and help you out.

As for everything that you've just read, they are from personal experiences and I cannot speak for everyone. But my friends and I all agree that it would have been nice just to have this information handy when we needed it.

And just in case you're wondering, between the 3 friends that I spoke with and myself, we have a total of 53 piercings, 9 being my own.