Lavanya Kiran

Condoms are barrier devices worn during sexual contact to prevent pregnancy. When used correctly and regularly, they are safe and highly effective in preventing transmission of most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV. Condoms are safe, inexpensive and widely available. But when they are not used the correct way, it can fail to provide all these benefits. We ask our expert to throw more light on some of the most common condom mistakes that are committed by people. Read to know more.

Some health questions are easy to ask online but awkward to say out loud. Why does my vagina smell different sometimes? is one of them. A vagina is not meant to be completely odourless. Its natural smell can change with the menstrual cycle, sweating, sex and changes in the vaginal microbiome. In this edition of our Awkward Health Questions series, we look at where that smell comes from, which changes are usually harmless and when a new odour may point to an infection.

Seeing a blood clot during your period can be alarming, especially if it suddenly looks different from your usual flow. But occasional menstrual clots are not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. In fact, your uterus has its own system to keep menstrual blood flowing rather than allowing it to clot. Clots usually appear when menstrual blood is leaving the uterus faster than this natural anti-clotting system can break it down. They are therefore more common on the heaviest days of a period.