Painful sex? Constant UTIs? Healthista invited experts to set the record straight on 6 personal health questions EVERY woman wants to know the answers to
Getting a doctor’s appointment is stressful at best, so many questions they remain unanswered and unanswered.
That’s why Healthista rounded up some of the most pressing health concerns and questions that have popped up in our inbox and asked some of the experts we work with to answer them…
Intimate Health Question #1 Should I be concerned about vaginal discharge and/or odor?
Dr Bailey, Consultant Gynaecologist, who works with new bay health brand VJJ Health answers this common question.
It’s quite normal to have discharge and sometimes it can change color due to menstruation or changes in the vaginal microbiome. If the vagina begins to have a “fishy smell”, this is likely due to bacterial vaginosis (BV).
BV is a common and recurrent vaginal infection among women of reproductive age.
Symptoms of BV in addition to odor include pain, itching, and burning
It occurs when there is an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. When there are more harmful bacteria than good bacteria in the vagina, bacterial vaginosis can occur. The main bacteria that keep it healthy are lactobacilli, which keep the pH below 4.5 (acidic). You can check your pH numbers with a test at home.
Other symptoms of BV besides the smell include pain, itching and burning. It’s important to treat BV, as Dr Bailey warns it can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and premature birth.
The standard treatment is an antibiotic used either as tablets or as an intravaginal gel. Some women will experience recurrent BV with periods or after sex.
Reduce your risk of BV by avoiding scented soaps that can cause irritation and aim to wear cotton underwear rather than synthetic fabric.
Avoid using vaginal washes and sprays. Your vagina doesn’t need them as it cleans itself.
Try supplementing with a clinically and well-researched vaginal-specific probiotic to help balance the vaginal microbiome, such as Perfect V (30 capsules, £26.00, available from VJJ Health and Amazon).
READ MORE: Why does my vagina get dry during sex?
Intimate Health Question #2 Why Do I Always Struggle to Orgasm?
Dr Jo Bailey, Consultant Gynecologist answers this question too.
Every woman’s body is unique. Some women may have different levels of sensitivity in their erogenous zones, affecting their ability to reach orgasm. For example, stimulation of the clitoris is often the key to orgasm for many women, but if it is not sufficiently stimulated, it can be difficult to climax.
Insufficient foreplay or a focus on penetrative sex without adequate clitoral stimulation can make it difficult for many women to reach orgasm. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or hormonal imbalances, can affect sexual function.
Stress, anxiety, depression or past trauma can significantly affect sexual arousal and orgasm
Likewise, some medications, including antidepressants or hormone treatments, can decrease libido or sensitivity.
Overall, physical health can also affect sexual function. Conditions such as obesity or poor cardiovascular health can reduce energy or circulation, affecting sexual response.
Stress, anxiety, depression or past trauma can significantly affect sexual arousal and orgasm. Emotional issues in a relationship or personal insecurities can also play a role.
Intimate Health Question #3 How can I get rid of these constant UTIs?
Dr Jo Bailey, Consultant Gynecologist has the answer.
The main bacteria that cause a UTI is e-coli, which can hang out in the lining of the bladder. This is why many women get recurrent infections because they don’t get rid of the e-coli itself.
We are also seeing resistance to antibiotics in the treatment of UTIs. The vagina has its own microbiome system, and research shows that certain probiotic strains of bacteria can inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, which leads to UTIs.
A new female UTI supplement with clinically researched strains of Lactobacillus that helps support the health of the vaginal microbiome and relieve symptoms called Ultimate UT.
D-mannose is one of NICE’s recommendations for self-care for women with recurrent UTIs
The formula of these UTI supplements also combines D-Mannose, a natural plant sugar. D-mannose is one of NICE’s self-care recommendations for women with recurrent UTIs.
VJJ Ultimate UT is a feminine UTI supplement that contains a powerful combination of clinically researched lactobacilli strains to help support the health of the vaginal microbiome and relieve UTI symptoms.
The formula of these UTI supplements also combines D-Mannose, a natural plant sugar. D-mannose is one of NICE’s self-care recommendations for women with recurrent UTIs.
Research shows that it can inhibit bacteria that cause UTIs. Available from £26 – vjjhealth.com
READ MORE: I’m a Woman – Here’s What No One Really Tells You About Your Vaginal Health
Home Health Question #4 How can I avoid vaginal infections without the help of antibiotics?
Dr Jo Bailey has the solution in her ‘antibiotic resistant’ statement above.
This is due to maintaining the health of the vaginal microbiome. There is currently a great deal of research showing that there is a clear correlation between the vaginal microbiome and vaginal health.
So one of the key things to keep your vagina healthy is taking care of your vaginal microbiome. Just like your gut, the vagina contains an ecosystem of microbes, including bacteria and yeast, that make up the vaginal microbiome.
Unlike the gut, the vaginal microbiome is less diverse and only needs a very select spectrum of microbes to keep it healthy.
Try supplementing with a clinically and well-researched vaginal-specific probiotic to help balance the vaginal microbiome, such as Perfect V (30 capsules, £26.00, available from VJJ Health and Amazon).
READ MORE: Low libido? 8 Surprising Reasons You May Not Want Sex
Intimate Health Question #5 Why is sex sometimes painful?
Ms. Tania Adib, Consultant Gynecologist and Menopause Specialist at The Medical Chambers Kensington and The Lister Hospital suggests some possible reasons.
There is no quick answer to this question. Also, it depends a lot on the age of the patient here, but if we are talking about younger women, then it could be an overactive pelvic floor.
So this is known as pelvic floor hypertonicity. Or vestibular irritation, which we more commonly call Vulvodynia. All vulvodynia means is pain in the vulva.
Some women have dry vaginas due to oral contraceptive pills
For women who have vulvodynia, unfortunately, they often don’t know what triggered it. It could either have been caused by a thrush episode or a UTI, and it may or may not also be due to the combined oral contraceptive pill affecting testosterone levels and hypersensitivity of the vulva nerves as they are mainly driven by testosterone.
If a woman is in her late 30s or early 40s, vaginal dryness can occur due to the drop in estrogen. Some women have dry vaginas due to oral contraceptive pills, which can make sex painful.
Plus, of course, there are other things like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, maybe large fibroids or structural causes in the pelvis. Again, this could be due to a number of things and they should consult their GP or arrange to see a gynaecologist.
Intimate Health Question #6 Does it matter if my period is irregular?
Ms. Tania Adib is facing this again.
Yes it is. A woman should have a regular cycle, and if not, either your female hormones are out of balance, or it could be your thyroid, or your adrenal glands are out of whack due to high stress levels, which affect your pituitary hormones.
Or it could be due to over exercising and being underweight. So, in summary, yes, many things can affect the menstrual cycle, which should be investigated.
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