If you’re curious about what inspired me to write on this topic (because it is kind of random, if I do say so myself), the backstory is this: while preparing to go on vacation, a friend of mine, who recently lost an impressive amount of weight, still wanted to cover up her bangin’ body and pretty swimsuits with several sarongs…and it was mostly due to just one thing.”
“Shellie, look at how big she is. She’ll have me looking crazy out here.”
I can’t tell you how much I rolled my eyes as I looked down to where she was pointing; by the title of this piece, I’m sure you can just about guess who “she” was: her vagina. Well, more specifically, her labia. Wait — let me get even more specific than that: hermons pubis, which is the fatty part of the female body that covers up the pubic bone. The reality is, although every woman has one, some do have more “meat” on them than others (just like some women’s labia have more skin than others), and, depending on how “thick” that part is, it could make you a bit self-conscious. I can, if you let it, that is.
What I’m hoping will happen is that, after you read this, you won’t let it, though. Because, honestly, while there is beauty in every woman’s rareness, from head to toe, if you do happen to have a “fatty,” I don’t know what in the world you’ve got to be ashamed of. Straight up.
First, for the People in the Back: a Fatty Ain’t a FUPA and a FUPA Ain’t Belly Fat
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Because there is something that I far too often hear about this part of our anatomy — and because it does seem like many folks are all over the place when it comes to this — I want to put something else on record before we get deeper into the whole fatty thing. What I am referring to is literally what I said in the intro: a fatty is a part of your body that you would see in the very front of your bikini bottom as you’re walking around. This means that no, I am not referring to FUPAs, which is an acronym that stands for Fat Upper Pubic Area because that is not where a fatty technically resides.
A FUPA is part of your lower abdominal region that is roughly an inch or two below your belly button and also a couple of inches before your bikini line. None of that goes into a bikini bottom, so it doesn’t qualify (I mean, even Beyoncé referred to her own FUPA as a “mommy pouch”). Oh, and while we’re here, having a larger tummy area is also not a FUPA. The part of your stomach that is above your belly button doesn’t fit the bill and the sides of your stomach don’t fit the bill either; all of that is simply your stomach.
Yes, it’s important that all of this is stated because I can’t tell you how many social media posts I’ve seen where the FUPA seems to be getting taller and wider by the day to the point where it’s taking up half of women’s bodies at this point. Uh-uh, chile. Okay, moving on.
Next, Everyone’s “Kitty” Is (Somewhat) Unique
If you’ve heard somewhere that vaginal plastic surgery is on the rise, you would be correct. Back when I used to tour with an organization that got people out of porn and sex addiction, one thing that I learned is there are some women who will want to alter the appearance of their vagina because they’ve seen a porn actor (I prefer that phrase to porn star) whose vagina — well, vulva because that is what you can actually see — who they thought was aesthetically-pleasing; due to that, they made a doctor’s appointment to duplicate it.
Although it should go on record that other women will get something like a vaginoplasty in order to “tighten up their vagina” (like, say, after childbirth) or a labiaplasty to remove excess skin that may be uncomfortable for them, there are some women who will also get one to get rid of their fatty (more on that in a sec).
To the ladies in the last category, it’s important to remember two things: surgical procedures always come with a certain amount of risk; therefore, you need to find out as much as you can about a labiaplasty before getting one. Two, every woman is unique; this means that, to a large extent, so is her vulva and her mons pubis. Y’all, it really is time out for us thinking that looking like toy soldiers is what makes us beautiful because the reality is that our differences are what make us so exquisite.
If you don’t believe me, check out Healthline’s “What Do ‘Normal’ Labia Look Like?” In it, you will see nine pictures of different types of labia. And you know what? Even with those shots, like each snowflake or fingerprint has subtle differences to them, so does your own genitalia…and that’s a good thing. It’s a part of what makes you…YOU. And why wouldn’t you want to be yourself over copying the image of someone else? C’mon now.
Third, You Can’t Do Anything to Lose Weight in One Area Alone
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And what if you’re over there on some, “Yeah, yeah, Shellie. Can I get this fatty down or not?” To be totally frank with you, the answer is “mostly no.” What I mean by that is, there isn’t really any type of weight loss regimen (via exercise or diet) that you can do to only lose the weight where your mons pubis is.
That said, there are certain things that you can do to burn some calories and ultimately transition some of the fat in that area over to muscle. Some of the exercises that can assist you in that department are located here and here. Also, if you’re like my friend and you’re trying to go swimming in something that you can feel good about, you may want to try wearing a reversible swimsuit.
The reason why is that those tend to be made from a stronger fabric that is able to hold and support your fatty better than other bathing suits can. Also, as far as the style of swimsuits goes, ones with a high waist for the bottom are ideal because they will give you more coverage, plus a lot more support.
Finally, there is a surgical procedureknown as a monsplasty that can remove excess fat or skin. Again, it is surgery, and overall recovery time is somewhere around 4-6 weeks (and you can’t even soak in a tub for three of those), so you need to think long and hard before making that type of time, health, and financial commitment.
Also, Fatties Are Bomb. Why Would You Want to Change It?
As someone who has somewhat of a fatty myself, someone who has talked to men about what attracts them to women (on the physical level) and heard them bring up fatties quite a bit (where do you think the saying “more cushion for the pushin’” partially comes from?) and also as someone who has seen pictures of women with fatties in lingerie and bathing suits and found them to be sexy AF, I promise you that I don’t get why, if you have one, you don’t feel exceptionally blessed.
Since I also know that genetics play a role in how our genitalia ends up looking (although it should go on record thatfluctuating weight and hormones can influence the size of your fatty to a certain extent too), it’s generationally passed down, it’s a part of your signature look and, I’m willing to bet some pretty good money that if folks are staring, it’s in awe not disgust.
All this to say that, why spend extra money and unnecessary stress on trying to change something that makes you who you are and is absolutely nothing to overthink or have anxiety over? Hell, if you’ve got a fatty, embrace it. It’s sexy more than anything. Ask others, if you don’t believe me. Real talk.
Now put that sarong back in the closet and get ready to go swimming — without it!
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While an evolution is a natural progression that happens as businesses grow, a rebrand is a total change. Lola tells xoNecole, "A total rebrand is necessary when a business’s current reputation/what it’s known for is at odds with the business’s vision or direction.
"For example, if you’ve fundamentally changed what your product is and does, it’s likely that your brand is out of alignment with the business. Or, if you find your company is developing a reputation that doesn’t serve it, it might be time to pump the brakes and figure out what needs to change.
She continues, "Sometimes you’ll see companies (especially startups) announce a name change that comes with updated messaging, visuals, etc. That usually means their vision has changed or expanded, and their previous branding was too narrow/couldn’t encompass everything they planned to do."
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The Brand Doula was born in 2019, and its focus is on putting "the experiences, goals, and needs of women of color founders first," as well as brands with "culture-shifting missions."
According to Lola, culture-shifting is "the act of influencing dominant behavior, beliefs, or experiences in a community or group (ideally, for the better)."
"At The Brand Doula, we work with companies and leaders that set out to challenge the status quo in their industries and communities. They’re here to make an impact that sends ripples across the market," she says.
"We help the problem solvers of the world — the ones who aren't satisfied with 'this is how it's always been' and instead ask 'how could this be better?' Our clients build for impact, reimagining tools, systems, and ways of living to move cultures forward."
The Brand Doula has worked with many brands, including Too Collective, to assist with their collaboration with Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Balanced Black Girl for a "refresh," aka rebrand. For businesses looking to rebrand, Lola shares four essential steps.
1. Do an audit of your current brand experience — what’s still relevant and what needs to change? Reflect on why you’re doing the rebrand in the first place and what success would look like after relaunching.
2. Tackle the overall strategy first — before you start redesigning logos and websites, align on a new vision for your brand. How do you want your company to be positioned moving forward? Has your audience changed at all? Will your company have a fresh personality and voice?
3. Bring your audience along the journey — there’s no need to move in secret. Inviting your current audience into the journey can actually help them feel more connected to and invested in your story, enough to stick around as changes are being made.
4. Keep business moving — one of my biggest pet peeves is when companies take down their websites as soon as they have the idea to rebrand, then have a Coming Soon page up for months! You lose a lot of momentum and interest by doing that. If you’re still in business and generating income, continue to operate while you work on your rebrand behind the scenes. You don’t want to cut existing customers off out of the blue, and you also don’t want so much downtime that folks forget your business exists or start looking for other solutions.
While determining whether the rebrand was successful may take a few months, Lola says a clear sign that it is unsuccessful is negative feedback from your target audience. "Customers are typically more vocal about what they don’t like more than what they do like," she says.
But some good signs to look out for are improvements in engagement with your marketing, positive reviews, press and increase in retention, and overall feeling aligned with the new branding.
For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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Now, while it’s another message for another time that if this type of sex-related craving feels impulsive or out of one’s control, it could be a sign of someone who is leaning into some level of sex addiction; however, that is not what we’re going to unpack today. Today, we’re going to look into what could be going on with you if it seems like, lately, you’ve been having a greater desire for sex, and you can’t quite pinpoint why.
Because, just like, say, a craving for a particular type of food oftentimes reveals something that is going on with you physically or mentally — sex cravings tend to bring certain things to light in those same areas, too.
Let’s dig in…
Hormonal Shifts
GiphyAlthough I don’t have social media accounts, I do tiptoe out there to see what’s going on — and boy, do I roll my eyes whenever I hear folks act like being over 40 is old. SMDH. It’s especially annoying when I hear about it in the context of sex because, believe it or not, there are a lot of late perimenopausal and menopausal women who are “gettin’ theirs” more than some of these 20 and 30-year-olds are (just ask them).
One reason is that the fear of experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, for many, is now in their rearview mirror. Another is because some are taking a form of hormone therapy to treat the changes that their system is going through — and when you’re getting more estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone into your body (in order to level things out) — HUNNAY.
For other women, even consuming phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogen) like peaches, garlic, berries, spinach, and cabbage can make them want sex more than when those aren’t a part of their diet. Bottom line here, a shift in your sexual hormones can definitely cause you to desire sex more than you have before (or have in a while).
Ovulation
GiphyBack when I was a teen mom director for the local chapter of a national non-profit, something that I used to tell “my daughters” all of the time is when you know that you’re ovulating, that’s when you need to be hypervigilant about using wisdom when it comes to the sex-related decisions that you make. I’m thinking that most of you get why: your body was designed to feel its horniest when you’re able to get pregnant — and that is during your time of ovulation.
That’s why it really is a good idea to keep up with your cycle and, if a baby is not something that is on your priority list right now, you either avoid having sex during that time of the month or make sure to use some form of birth control. Chile, even women with low libidos can find themselves wanting to hang off of a chandelier or two when they are ovulating. It’s nature’s way.
A Healthy Diet
GiphyIf you happen to be someone with a sluggish sex drive and you know that you spend most of your time in a drive-thru, there is probably a direct correlation there. No joke. There is plenty of research out in cyberspace to support the fact that a wack diet and low sex drive have a lot in common. While processed foods and unhealthy fats can throw your (sex) hormones off, foods that are filled with zinc, vitamins B12 and D, and iron can ramp up your desire for intimacy.
This is why many people who decide to make a lifestyle change as far as their eating habits are concerned are oftentimes surprised by how much sex is on their minds and how much easier it is for them to orgasm because of it. While a part of it can be due to a boost in their sexual confidence, a lot of it has to do with consuming foods that will literally feed their libido (in a healthy way).
More Exercise
GiphyPlainly put, exercise makes you hornier. Not only does it boost your testosterone levels, (consistently) working out also lowers your stress levels and gives you a boost in the self-esteem department. On top of that, exercise makes you more flexible, builds up endurance, and increases blood circulation which can turn around and intensify your climaxes as a direct result. In fact, this is oftentimes why people will want to have sex right after a workout session.
While we’re here, let me also share that too much of a good thing can end up being counterproductive. What I mean by that is, that although it is wise to exercise on a regular basis, make sure to not overdo it. Something known as overtraining syndrome can result in fatigue, insomnia, and irritability; no one can really have amazing sex when all of that is going on.
Being a Certain Age
GiphyWhile it used to be said that the sexual peak for men is in their teens and for women, it’s in their 30s (some believe it’s because after 35, it’s more challenging for women to get pregnant and so our biological clock plays a role in it all), some research believes that coming to that conclusion isn’t fair because aging affects people differently. For instance, while on one hand, people in their 40s tend to see a dip in their sex hormones, as we’ve already discussed, hormone therapy (for both men and women) can level some of those issues out, if not increase some people’s sex drives altogether.
Adding to that, it should also go on record that some studies indicate that women between the ages of 27-45 actually have a stronger desire — or craving — for sex than women between the ages of 18-26. So honestly, there goes the myth that being younger (automatically) means that you’re hornier. #Elmoshrug
Certain Medications
GiphyIf you used to have a higher sex drive and you’re currently on an antidepressant, that could be why your desire for copulation has decreased. Some studies say that as much as 40 percent of people who are on these types of medication end up having a lower libido (by the way, antihistamines and beta-blockers can have this effect, too).
On the other hand, if you’ve been taking a prescribed drug to increase your sex drive (perhaps like Vyleesi or Addyi), then it would make sense that you may have an increased libido level. Other meds that may have a similar effect include birth control pills (since they alter your hormones), medications that help to treat Parkinson’s disease, along with dopamine-related drugs.
Less Stress
GiphyIf, on the days when you don’t seem to have a care in the world, you also desire sex more than usual, that’s not a coincidence either. Thing is, when you’re all stressed out, that can cause the stress hormone known as cortisol to work overtime and, when that happens, that can end up suppressing your sex hormones which can deplete you of sexual urges. Ironically, there is a flip side to this because when you engage in sexual activity, that actually elevates feel-good (and bonding) hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which can also de-stress you.
So basically, if you’re craving sex, you probably aren’t very stressed out (right now), and if you want to stop being stressed out, you probably should have some sex (some protected sex, if you don’t want to be stressed later up the road…if you know what I mean).
Having an Amazing Sex Life
GiphyTo me, this one right here should be a given because when something is both good to and for you, why wouldn’t you want more of it? So yeah, if you have a great sex life with someone, it’s common sense that you’d want to engage in that act with them as much as possible. Hey, not to mention the fact that orgasms activate your brain in a way similar to a drug high does.
So, if while reading this, you’re thinking about sexting your bae to make arrangements to — eh hem — satisfy your craving, I say go for it! To “greatly want” to connect with your partner in order to have some fulfilling and satisfying sex? What in the world could possibly be wrong with that?! Not a damn thing.
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