Awareness: Style your hair ‘down there’ for Julyna

Ahhh…July. Beach days, barbecues, lazy days spent reading, and, if you’re participating in Julyna, a wacky down-there hairstyle.

Julyna, a charitable organization that fundraises and spreads awareness about cervical cancer, encourages women to style their pubic hair in July to promote education and healthy lifestyle choices.

Since Julyna is about more than just designer pubic hair, this is also a good time to make sure you’re aware of what causes cervical cancer so you can take your health into your own hands.

The biggest risk factor for developing cervical cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

And guess what? HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. About 75 percent of sexually active males and females will have an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime.

Since many strains of HPV are symptomless, it’s essential that all sexually active ladies go for a regular pap test to check for abnormal cells.

Bonus: If you go for your pap in July, you can show off your stylish new pubic design.

I’m partial to the David Suzuki.

Will you be participating in Julyna? What’s your favourite design?

-Katharine Watts, associate web editor

Related:
‘ 5 health conditions women need to know about
‘ Can you catch cancer?
‘ 6 things you should know about your genital health