Valentine's Day Intimacy Tips and Tricks For V*g Health

The vulvar area is uniquely sensitive: the skin is thinner, more absorbent, and affected by heat, moisture, and friction. On a holiday like Valentine’s Day—when intimacy often takes center stage—comfort and confidence in your own skin make all the difference. Everyday habits, from what you wear to how your skin breathes, set the stage for feeling fully present and enjoying the moment.

This Q&A explores vulvar health and how thoughtful, evidence-based choices can help you feel your most confident for intimacy this Valentine’s Day.

Guiding this conversation is Mona Hardas, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over 25 years of clinical and surgical experience. Known for her patient-centered approach to women’s health, Dr. Hardas specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic care and vulvar-vaginal health across all stages of life. Her perspective bridges medical expertise with practical, everyday guidance. 

Today, Mona is turning her attention to our community's biggest questions around intimacy this Valentine's Day. Follow Mona for more tips and tricks on Instagram @glamgyno.

Doctor-Led Q&A: Oya x Mona Hardas, MD

1. “What’s one intimacy myth you wish would disappear from social media forever?”

Answer: One of the commonest intimacy myths on social media is pain, dryness, and loss of sensation during sex is just a normal part of aging or childbirth, and you just have to live with it. This is not true at all. There are many treatments which can treat these issues, and women don’t have to suffer with it, no matter their age. 

2. “Why do women in high-performance roles experience so many intimate health disruptions?”

Answer: Women in high-performance roles are under constant, invisible pressure. Chronic stress can hijack the hormones.  High cortisol levels can decrease estrogen, testosterones as well as Oxytocin. These are the hormones responsible for lubrication, desire, and arousal. The constant work stress makes your brain prioritize survival over pressure. Their sleep pattern is disturbed due to travel, late-night work, and worry about deadlines. The deep sleep is when tissue regeneration happens. Chronic fatigue can kill the desire. High performers hold tension in the body - from the jaw, neck, to the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor tightness causes pain during intimacy and decreases desire.

For women navigating high-performance lifestyles, comfort isn’t just emotional — it’s physical. Long days, workouts, and limited downtime often mean prolonged exposure to heat, sweat, and friction. When moisture and bacteria are trapped against sensitive skin, it adds another layer of stress to an already taxed system. Supporting the body with breathable, cooling fabrics that limit moisture buildup can help reduce one avoidable contributor to irritation and discomfort.

3.“What are simple, realistic habits women can adopt when rest and downtime are limited?”

Answer: Hydration to improve skin, tissue health, and energy. Exercise for endorphins and health. Protect sleep quality, not quantity. Meditation to shift the body out of fight or flight mode.

Alongside these habits, what touches your skin daily matters — especially when downtime is limited. Apparel designed to combat heat, sweat, and odor can help maintain a healthier skin environment without adding effort. Oya’s Tummy Control Legging was designed with the following considerations in mind: cooling the skin, reducing moisture retention, and minimizing bacterial buildup — all while being free of PFAs, BPAs, and thousands of potentially irritating toxins.

4. “What’s one thing women should do before intimacy—and one thing they should stop doing?”

Answer: One powerful thing she can do is to pause for 20 sec. And check with her body to see if she feels safe, relaxed, and present. 

The one thing she should stop doing is rushing herself. If intimacy is treated like another task, then she will not be able to enjoy and experience dryness and pain. 

5. “What are your top 3 doctor-approved Valentine’s Day health tips for high-performing women?”

Answer: 

1) Stop pushing through discomfort. Pain and dryness are not something you just push through. Please consult your Gynecologist and get treated.

2) Choose restoration over performance. When you are relaxed, feel safe, and are not under pressure, desire and pleasure will naturally follow. 

3) Stop comparing your desire to social media. Unrealistic expectations increase anxiety and dissatisfaction. 

Remember, intimacy isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what actually supports your body, skin, and long-term health. By paying attention to everyday habits—what touches your skin, how it breathes, and how you support your microbiome—you set the stage for moments that feel effortless and enjoyable. 

This Valentine’s Day, let thoughtful self-care be part of the celebration, so you can show up fully for yourself and the people you love.

Send In Your Questions Here

Beyond intimacy, we continue to see that women’s health research is routinely underfunded. And the legal barriers women face in innovating for women’s health are wild. Next issue, we’re digging into legal barriers women face in innovating for women’s health. This op-ed will feature Jessie Gabriel: Founder + Managing Partner of All Places.

So let us know what you want to understand better about this topic? What feels unclear?

Send us your questions. We’ll bring them to the expert.