Both men and women do feel embarrassed to ask those few questions related to their sexual health and physical appearance, but the case is worse in women maybe because women are less likely to discuss those problems with others (friends or family members) than men. Most questions women find embarrassing to ask are common health queries that doctors have to answer on a daily basis.
1. Is having hair around nipples normal?
Answer: Having hair around the nipples can be quite strange and can lead to a lot of embarrassment for some women in their sexual life. But it is a normal occurrence in women during their puberty, menopause stage or pregnancy where hormonal fluctuations take place. Sometimes, it might indicate an underlying medical condition like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and cysts in the ovaries, so getting a medical checkup is important. If you are not having any of these conditions, you can choose to trim or pluck them. Do not wax, shave or bleach the area as it is an extremely sensitive spot.
2. Why do I have a smelly vaginal discharge?
Answer: About one-third of all women in their reproductive age face this awkward problem despite maintaining good personal hygiene. A smelly vaginal discharge often is an indicator of a vaginal infection or vaginitis. Vaginal infection caused by fungus is called candidiasis which causes itching and thick, curdy-white discharge. Bacterial infection causes discharge of thin, greenish colour fluid that is foul-smelling. Read more about what smelly vaginal discharge could indicate.
3. Why do I bleed heavily during periods?
Answer:Heavy bleeding or prolonged menstrual cycle is medically called hypermenorrhea. It is fairly common in women and is usually caused due to noncancerous tumors called fibroids that grow on the walls of the uterus. Other conditions like hormonal problems, endometriosis and some blood clotting disorders can also cause heavy bleeding.
4. Why do I have facial hair like men?
Answer: Every woman at some point in her life must have cribbed about hair on upper lip or chin. But this problem turns into a nightmare for a few women who suffer from major hormonal fluctuations or hormonal disorders. Seeking treatment for unwanted facial hair should not be embarrassing and there are several laser assisted treatments that can help you getting rid of that embarrassing patch of facial hair.
5. Why do I experience urine leakage at times?
Answer: Women all over the world experience loss of bladder control — so get the embarrassment out of your head. In India, urinary incontinence due to actions like coughing, sneezing or exertion is seen in almost 73% of women. There are several ways including pelvic floor exercises that can help you to regain control over your bladder. Most cases of urinary incontinence get cured by making minor lifestyle changes. But if it is bothering you way too much then you should seek medical help without hesitation. Here are 8 effective ways to treat urinary incontinence.
6. My vagina has become loose over the years. What can I do about it?
Answer: Changes are natural and just like all other organs of the body, your vagina will also change as you grow older. In some cases, the vagina may get a bit loose after just 2 years of sex. Along with a loose vagina, issues like decreased libido, dryness in the vaginal region and pain during sex can also arise. But all of these problems can be solved. Pelvic floor tightening exercises (Kegel’s exercise), certain medications and vaginal tightening creams/gels can help you regain vaginal tightness.
