Women

A gynaecologist's guide to good vulva and vagina health

But when the body part that's causing you trouble is inside your underwear, it's often a different story.

Women will ignore symptoms that involve their vulva or vagina because they feel embarrassed or ashamed. Some even fail to recognise when something's gone awry in the first place.

"Women need to become comfortable with their own anatomy and looking at their own vulva," said Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM, gynaecologist and medical director at the Jean Hailes for Women's Health organisation.

Study: Women in midlife aren't sleeping enough

More than one in four middle-aged women reported experiencing difficulty falling and staying asleep four or more times during the week. More than one in three women reported getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night, on average. Of those, perimenopausal women -- women who were no longer menstruating and on the verge of menopause -- were the least likely to sleep seven or more hours a night. This was followed closely by postmenopausal women.

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Ms: The honorific with unintended meaning

And it may not be a meaning that applies to you or any way related to why you choose to be a Ms.

Ms has attracted such a range of meaning that even the editor of the Macquarie Dictionary, Sue Butler, feels that it may be time to update its entry.

Ms is older than you think

The honorific title for a woman — which, like its male equivalent Mr, was meant to give no clue as to an individual's marital status — has been traced back to the early 20th century.

'Upskirting': It happened to me

But she was amazed to discover that there is no specific law against "upskirting" in most of the UK - only in Scotland. After the police closed her case, Gina began a petition to get it reopened, and now she is lobbying for a change in the law.

Martin's article about her experience struck a chord with many of you. We asked readers to tell us if they had been the victim of upskirting, and whether the perpetrator was punished. Here are some of your stories - names have been changed.

"I was at the bus stop"

Festival puts feminist work front and centre

Whether you've got one, like what they do or have always been curious, now is the time to embrace the female anatomy, with vaginas firmly in the spotlight at the festival.

The obsession — which examines the politics of pussy as well as the biology — reflects changing social attitudes, according to Fringe creative director and CEO Simon Abrahams.

"I can only assume that when we have a pussy-grabbing President of the United States that women are making extraordinary feminist work to fight back and make political statements," he said.

Why having an only child can be good for everyone

Parents of only children by choice are no strangers to these questions.

But evidence shows there are very few drawbacks to a one-child family, and according to one expert those passing judgement are likely envious because they have "suffered through" raising several children.

Between Canditta Natakuapa and her husband, they have 17 siblings. So deciding to have just the one child was easy for the pair who value work-life balance and giving their son "the best start in life".

How big is too big for the runway?

At size 14 and 185 centimetres, former Sydneysider Robyn Lawley said it was time an array of sizes were shown on runways.

"These are people we're talking about. They have feelings," Lawley said.

"I've met all the girls who did that catwalk. None of these models were unhealthy … they all work out."

Doctor Who: New star Jodie Whittaker hopes fans embrace her casting

Whittaker, 35, breaks a tradition back to the start of the television series in 1963 that the Doctor is a man, travelling the universe as a "time lord" in a telephone box to protect the weak and combat evil aliens.

"I hope, you know, my gender isn't a fearful thing for the fans," Whittaker told the BBC, in her first broadcast interview since her casting was announced last month.

Haim: The music industry needs more women

"We do see women working in the studios but we want to see more. It's a quantity issue," they tell Newsbeat.

The three sisters were speaking before their Radio 1 Live Lounge performance.

"There's so many amazing women that work in music and I think its time more girls looked into being engineers and studio technicians," explains Danielle.

Earlier this month Haim released their second studio album, Something to Tell You.

Haim: The music industry needs more women

"We do see women working in the studios but we want to see more. It's a quantity issue," they tell Newsbeat.

The three sisters were speaking before their Radio 1 Live Lounge performance.

"There's so many amazing women that work in music and I think its time more girls looked into being engineers and studio technicians," explains Danielle.

Earlier this month Haim released their second studio album, Something to Tell You.