Fun fact: having a vagina is hard.
If it's not the lawmakers trying to legislate what we do with our bodies, it's ridiculous pressures to make our vaginas "smell good."
If it's not those ridiculous pressures, it's the periods we certainly did not sign up for. Bleeding for days is bad enough, but then we have to make sure we have money to buy tampons? No wonder women of a certain age called it "the curse" (shout-out to Iris editor Mary...).
There's the consistent pressure for women with vaginas to be childbearers. Hello! I have more to offer than just bringing another life into the world! And, of course, there are the risks if we do choose to have children. It's beautiful to have the opportunity to produce a new life, but childbirth can be dangerous. Luckily there are incredible women who dedicate their time to making childbirth go as safely as possible.
The perils that come with having a vagina are many, and this brief list barely scratches the surface (there's an idea that tickles). If you have a vagina, take a second to pat yourself on the back (or wherever) for all the struggles you deal with. And if your friend has a vagina, maybe go buy them a cupcake. They deserve it.
