We're incredibly excited to work with Lady Phyll and Amazin, two titans of advocacy and equity, in our mission of educating the public, breaking down stigma, and celebrating bodily autonomy.

Lady Phyll is an activist, community organiser, and the CEO and co-founder of UK Black Pride. Lady Phyll is known for her formidable advocacy, activism and impact around racial justice and LGBTQI+ rights, and has dedicated her career to uplifting marginalised communities.

Amazin is also a leading special advisor and ambassador for the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, with the Generation 2026 World Cup campaign launching soon. She's been an advisor to the Vagina Museum since 2018, and is delighted to have moved into an Ambassador role!

Amazin is a global LGBTQ+ advocate and athlete. She has boldly broken barriers everywhere from the White House to the Prince's Trust, championing human rights, DEI strategies and advocacy work.

In 1873, the USA introduced the Comstock laws, thus rendering it illegal to advertise and sell contraceptives in the country. While these laws were incredibly damaging on the whole, we have to kind of agree in this one (1) instance of wholly cursed contraceptives.

Not to mention that cervical barrier contraceptives must remain in place for several hours after coitus. So once you're finished, and no longer aroused (and your vagina becomes shorter again), you still have to wear the thing, with that bit of metal still sticking out.

If it slips, that sperm is going directly into your uterus and tubes, and thus entirely negated the point of wearing a somewhat pointy bit of metal.

And finally, the part that covers the cervix is substantially smaller than a diaphragm, which means you'd have to be veeeery precise about positioning it, and hope it doesn't move around too much when you're, for example, performing vigorous activities such as sexual intercourse.

Next, the "wife's protector" has small metal hinges at the top. This is designed for ease of putting the device into the correct position. However, we'll say it: that little hinge looks like it might pinch if it catches a bit of vaginal wall. Ouch.

Now this is all very well and good, sort of. But there's a couple of major design flaws. First of all, that stem is EIGHT INCHES LONG.

The average vagina is around five or six inches long when aroused. Which means there's a fair bit of thin metal sticking out throughout sex.

See the loop at the top? That's designed to support waterproof fabric such as silk oilcloth. The device is inserted into the vagina in a position wherein the loop will cover the cervix, thus preventing sperm from getting in. The long metal stem follows the vaginal wall, and sticks out of the vagina.

We know what you're thinking here: "Gee whizz! That's a very early example of an IUD!". (Or maybe you're not. In our line of work we look at a lot of gadgets that interface with vaginas.)

But you'd (and we'd) be wrong. This device is NOT an IUD. It does not go inside the uterus.

oh fun, looks like bsky flagged it as adult (???)

"Before the Blood" is showing in Anarcha's Gallery at the Vagina Museum until January 2026. Admission is free www.vaginamuseum.co.uk/communitygal...

You're most likely to see brown blood at the beginning or end of your period. Like any blood, period blood oxidises, and can appear brown in colour.

Cultural depictions of menstruation focus on very bright red hues. But periods aren't always like that! Brown, dark red tones and even black tones are just as common, and perfectly healthy.

Our favourite moment #TheStruggleIsReal