Amazing and Hilarious Sex Facts You Never Knew

Just when you think that you know all there is to know about the world of sexual wellness and wellbeing, along come a few crazy facts that make you realise you have only just hit the tip of the iceberg!

 

For example, did you know that you can buy such a thing as a vibrating alarm clock? The Wake Up Vibe alarm clock costs around £44 and could make your day start in a rather pleasant manner. You set the clock with a time and one of six different vibration options and then you pop it in your pants and go to sleep (if you can actually sleep whilst waiting for that to start going off!)

 

From the bizarre to the downright scary, there are actually women in this world who use their vaginas to lift weights. Sex coach Kim Anami says that using your pelvic floor to lift weights can improve your muscles, help reduce bladder and post-childbirth problems and improve both your libido and the intensity of your orgasms.

 

The Russian gymnast, Tatyana Kozhevnikova, is the current world recorder holder for lifting the most weight with her vagina. She managed to lift an eye-watering 14kg kettleball using just her pelvic floor muscles.

 

If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, perhaps you’d like to try to the new game, Would You Rather, a specific location-based app for bisexual, lesbian and curious women. During the game, players are shown two images, one of a nearby woman and one of an alternative, such as an animal, food or sport. If both you and your unknown partner choose each other over the alternative, then you are sent a message saying so and you are then sent off to meet up. The manufacturers hope that this will help to speed up the dating process a little.

Categories: alarm clock, clock, floor, lift, lift weights, nbsp, pelvic floor, Sex, vagina, vibrating, world

The Ins and Outs: How Well Do You Know Your Vagina?

How acquainted are you with your vagina? When it comes to sexual health, guys get an easier time of it – their junk is hanging out there, just waiting to be experienced. However, as a woman, most of your parts are internal, so you can’t exactly see what we’re working with. Nonetheless, the more you take control of your vaginal wellness, the better it will be for your sexual wellbeing. According to wellness writer Theresa O’Rourke, Editorial Director at Victoria’s Secret, in a ‘study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, scientists found that women who had a positive view of their genitals were more comfortable in their skin, more apt to orgasm, and more likely to experiment in bed.’ So maybe it’s time that you got to know your vagina…

 

1. The Ins and Outs: O’Rourke explains, ‘If you’re standing naked in front of a full-length mirror, you’re actually seeing your vulva, the exterior portion of your privates, which was covered in hair before your aesthetician went hog wild with the wax and muslin. Think of your privates as an award-winning cast: You have your supporting actors (the vulva) and your marquee stars (the clitoris and G-spot). Every part is there to entertain your sexual needs, but to milk the best performance out of each one, you have to show them all a little love and attention.’ Debby Herbenick, PhD, a research scientist at Indiana University and the author of Because It Feels Good, notes, ‘Rubbing the pubic mound and outer lips readies the clitoris for stimulation.’

 

2. The Pleasure Centre:  Herbenick points out, ‘We see only the head of the clitoris.’ This pleasure centre actually has the shape of a wishbone, with two legs that reach three inches into your vagina, just under the pubic mound and straight into G-spot territory. Ian Kerner, PhD, author of She Comes First, asserts that this makes the clitoris ‘the powerhouse of the orgasm. It connects with every single structure in the genitals.’ In order to tap into that powerhouse, Herbenick recommends woman-on-top and a twist on missionary called the coital alignment technique, as this ‘creates more friction against the clitoris.’ However, Diana Hoppe, MD, author of Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You, warns that as you head toward climax, ‘the clitoris swells in size, which can make friction painful.’ If this occurs, try lightening up the stimulation a bit, and it should feel good again.

 

3. What Lies Beneath: O’Rourke details, ‘The G-spot is a spongy area about the size of a nickel, and it’s located an inch or two into the anterior wall of the vagina, just under the pubic mound—and you’ve got to feel it to believe it. It has bumpy, knotty striations similar to a walnut, and it demands a hands-on, tough-love approach…G-spot stimulation also calls for a tag-team approach. You can hit it by having your guy enter you from behind, but the best bet is to have him go down on you with his tongue and fingers.’ Kerner comments, ‘The G-spot’s nerves are contained in fattier tissue, so you have to provide deeper, firmer pressure to stimulate it…With his mouth on your clitoris, have him use his fingers in a come-hither motion to apply firm, rhythmic pressure to the G-spot.’ If you’re worried you haven’t had a G-spot orgasm, don’t stress about it. Kerner points out, ‘Many women wouldn’t isolate it and say, “Wow, I just had a G-spot orgasm.” It’s more like, “I just had an orgasm, and what he was doing felt really good.” That’s why most vibrators come with a clitoral stimulator and a G-spot stimulator. They work in tandem to create what’s commonly referred to as a blended orgasm.’

Categories: clitoris, G Spot, orgasm, pleasure centre, pubic mound, sexual, sexual health, spot, spot orgasm, vagina

The Ins and Outs: How Well Do You Know Your Vagina?

How acquainted are you with your vagina? When it comes to sexual health, guys get an easier time of it – their junk is hanging out there, just waiting to be experienced. However, as a woman, most of your parts are internal, so you can’t exactly see what we’re working with. Nonetheless, the more you take control of your vaginal wellness, the better it will be for your sexual wellbeing. According to wellness writer Theresa O’Rourke, Editorial Director at Victoria’s Secret, in a ‘study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, scientists found that women who had a positive view of their genitals were more comfortable in their skin, more apt to orgasm, and more likely to experiment in bed.’ So maybe it’s time that you got to know your vagina…

 

1. The Ins and Outs: O’Rourke explains, ‘If you’re standing naked in front of a full-length mirror, you’re actually seeing your vulva, the exterior portion of your privates, which was covered in hair before your aesthetician went hog wild with the wax and muslin. Think of your privates as an award-winning cast: You have your supporting actors (the vulva) and your marquee stars (the clitoris and G-spot). Every part is there to entertain your sexual needs, but to milk the best performance out of each one, you have to show them all a little love and attention.’ Debby Herbenick, PhD, a research scientist at Indiana University and the author of Because It Feels Good, notes, ‘Rubbing the pubic mound and outer lips readies the clitoris for stimulation.’

 

2. The Pleasure Centre:  Herbenick points out, ‘We see only the head of the clitoris.’ This pleasure centre actually has the shape of a wishbone, with two legs that reach three inches into your vagina, just under the pubic mound and straight into G-spot territory. Ian Kerner, PhD, author of She Comes First, asserts that this makes the clitoris ‘the powerhouse of the orgasm. It connects with every single structure in the genitals.’ In order to tap into that powerhouse, Herbenick recommends woman-on-top and a twist on missionary called the coital alignment technique, as this ‘creates more friction against the clitoris.’ However, Diana Hoppe, MD, author of Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You, warns that as you head toward climax, ‘the clitoris swells in size, which can make friction painful.’ If this occurs, try lightening up the stimulation a bit, and it should feel good again.

 

3. What Lies Beneath: O’Rourke details, ‘The G-spot is a spongy area about the size of a nickel, and it’s located an inch or two into the anterior wall of the vagina, just under the pubic mound—and you’ve got to feel it to believe it. It has bumpy, knotty striations similar to a walnut, and it demands a hands-on, tough-love approach…G-spot stimulation also calls for a tag-team approach. You can hit it by having your guy enter you from behind, but the best bet is to have him go down on you with his tongue and fingers.’ Kerner comments, ‘The G-spot’s nerves are contained in fattier tissue, so you have to provide deeper, firmer pressure to stimulate it…With his mouth on your clitoris, have him use his fingers in a come-hither motion to apply firm, rhythmic pressure to the G-spot.’ If you’re worried you haven’t had a G-spot orgasm, don’t stress about it. Kerner points out, ‘Many women wouldn’t isolate it and say, “Wow, I just had a G-spot orgasm.” It’s more like, “I just had an orgasm, and what he was doing felt really good.” That’s why most vibrators come with a clitoral stimulator and a G-spot stimulator. They work in tandem to create what’s commonly referred to as a blended orgasm.’

Categories: clitoris, G Spot, orgasm, pleasure centre, pubic mound, sexual, sexual health, spot, spot orgasm, vagina

Suffering From a Yeast Infection: How to Fight Back

Yeast infections are a common ailment, affecting the sexual wellness and wellbeing of millions of women every year. They tend to recur as well, and can make having a normal sex life quite difficult and uncomfortable.

 

One of the reasons that yeast infections are so common is that most of us take antibiotics at some point in our lives (and most of us at several points in our lives). Antibiotics are designed to kill off the bad bacteria that is causing an infection in our bodies, but unfortunately, in so doing, they also kill off the good bacteria in the gut and the good bacteria in the vagina. You might find that if you are on a course of antibiotics, a bout of thrush soon follows. It’s always a good idea to see your doctor, though, as self-diagnosed yeast infections can turn out to be other things.

 

There are some very simple steps that you can take to help you steer clear of a yeast infection. Don’t use feminine hygiene sprays and don’t wash your vaginal area with any kind of perfumed soaps. Steer clear of perfumed sanitary pads, tampons and bubble bath too, as these seem to negatively affect the balance of acid in the vagina, leading to a thrush infection.

 

Wear cotton pants and avoid tight-fitting clothing too, as well as remembering to wipe from front to back, and you will also significantly reduce the number of yeast infections that you suffer from. Yeast thrives in warm, wet environments, so make sure you stay cool and dry ‘down below’.

 

If you are on the birth control pill, you could also find yourself more susceptible to thrush. Researchers have now found that certain types of birth control may cause a susceptibility to thrush as well.

Categories: Birth Control, infection, Infections, nbsp, steer clear, thrush, vagina, yeast, yeast infection, Yeast Infections

Feeling Uncomfortable? A Yeast Infection Could be to Blame

Yeast infections are a common sexual health hazard, affecting the wellness and wellbeing of both men and women all over the world. Women are most commonly affected by the condition – in fact, around 75 percent of all women will have a yeast infection such as thrush during the course of their lifetime, and around 45 percent of women will have at least two or more yeast infections.

 

In the United States, vaginal yeast infections are the second most common cause of reportedly abnormal vaginal discharge. The first most common cause is bacterial vaginosis.

 

Yeast infections are particularly common during pregnancy, perhaps due to the chemical changes which occur in the vagina during pregnancy. During this time, there is basically more sugar in the vagina for the bacteria spores to feed on.

 

Around five percent of the women who have vaginal yeast infections develop recurrent infections, which is known as vulvogainal candidiasis, which is defined as having four or more episodes of thrush in a one year period. Most women who suffer from this do not have any underlying medical conditions which make them more likely to get the condition.

 

During episodes of thrush, women experience thick or clotted discharge which may have a slight odour. Whilst vaginal discharge is normal, it is usually clear or cloudy and should be non-irritating. Thrush and other yeast infections cause itching and inflammation and can be quite uncomfortable.

 

One way to avoid getting a yeast infection is to avoid washing the vagina with perfumed soaps, or using perfumed deodorants or even bubble bath as this can upset the normal Ph. and bacteria balance in the vagina.

 

Many vaginal yeast infections can clear up without any treatment, however, there are cases when it can develop into something more serious, so you should make sure that you treat any and all episodes of vaginal yeast infection.

Categories: Infections, nbsp, thrush, vagina, vaginal, vaginal discharge, vaginal yeast, Women, yeast, yeast infection, Yeast Infections

How to Spot The Warning Signs of Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are kind of – to use a technical term – an icky part of sexual health, but one that’s easily taken care of. However, it’s far better to protect your wellbeing against yeast infections through a few simple steps. Let’s take a look at how you can stop yeast infections and, if that doesn’t work, spot the signs that your wellness has been affected.

 

Also known as candidiasis, a yeast infection is caused by a fungus called candida albicans. It usually occurs in warm, moist parts of your body, like your mouth and moist areas of your skin. When you have a vaginal yeast infection, it is known as vulvovaginal candidiasis. There are several reasons as to why candida can overgrow; stress, pregnancy, and illnesses that affect the immune system may allow yeast to multiply, as can certain medicines including birth control pills and steroids. If you take antibiotics for other conditions, the medicine might kill the good bacteria responsible for keeping the growth of candida in the vagina in check. You may also be at a greater risk of yeast infection if your blood sugar level is high, as occurs in people with poorly-controlled diabetes.

 

If you do have a yeast infection, it will probably be the most obvious right before your period, as the menstrual cycle causes hormonal changes. Tight clothing and underwear, or clothes made of materials like nylon that trap heat and moisture, might make it more likely for you to have a yeast infection, as this is the kind of environment that yeast thrives in. This is also the case for scented sanitary products and douching, so avoid these if you think they’re giving you a yeast infection. Although yeast infections may spread from one sexual partner to the other, it’s a rarity and, as such, is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, if your partner does show symptoms, he or she may have to be treated.

 

The common signs and symptoms of yeast infections include:

• Itching and irritation in your vagina


• Redness, swelling, or itching in your vulva (which are the folds of skin outside your vagina)


• A thick, white discharge. This is usually odourless, but may smell like bread or yeast.


• Pain or burning when urinating or during sex

 

If any of these symptoms are affecting you, you should speak to your doctor. Some of these symptoms are similar to those you might find with an STI, but your doctor can give you the right diagnosis so that you can be treated appropriately. The test may involve your doctor taking a urine sample — to rule out a urinary tract infection — and swab some discharge from your vagina to examine under a microscope. Treatment for vaginal yeast infections usually involve a pill to swallow, or a cream, tablet or suppository to put in your vagina. Make sure that you abstain from sex until the infection has cleared up, as the medications for vaginal yeast infections can weaken condoms and diaphragms.

 

However, why let it get to that stage when you can prevent a yeast infection?

 

1. Dress right: What you wear can enable yeast infections to grow, so avoid wet bathing suits, tight jeans, and stretchy exercise gear. Nylon underwear, pantyhose, and other synthetic materials that trap moisture also make yeast infections more likely.

 

2. Watch out for beauty products: There are some dyes and perfumes in soaps, bath gels, lotions, sanitary products, and laundry detergents that some women react to, and this irritation can cause yeast infections to grow. Steer clear of perfumed products and to use mild and fragrance-free products when possible

Categories: infection, Infections, nbsp, prevention, sanitary products, Symptoms, vagina, vaginal yeast, yeast, yeast infection, Yeast Infections

Not a Fan of Pill Popping? Try Using the Birth Control Ring

You want to take control of your sexual health and wellness, but you know you’re going to forget to take the Pill at the same time every day, or you have trouble swallowing pills. If this sounds like you, and you’re comfortable enough with your body to insert a device into your vagina, the vagina ring may be a good choice for you. Not all women should use a vaginal ring, especially if your wellbeing is affected by blood clots, severe high blood pressure, certain types of cancers, certain types of migraine headaches, or diabetes with certain complications. However, if that’s not the case, and you’d like to know more about this form of birth control, read on!

 

The birth control ring is a soft, flexible and doughnut-shaped, with a diameter of about two inches. You insert it into your vagina, and the ring slowly releases hormones though the vaginal wall and into your blood stream. Generally speaking, hormones are chemicals the body makes to control organ function, and the ones released by the ring – oestrogen and progesterone – affect your ovaries and uterus in order to prevent pregnancy. The combination of hormones stops the ovulation process, or the release of an egg from your ovaries during your monthly cycle. The ring also thickens the mucus around your cervix, making it difficult for the sperm to enter your uterus. Plus, the ring can sometime affect the lining in your uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall and enable a baby to develop.

 

Much in the same way that you would use the birth control pill or the patch, you insert the ring based on your monthly cycle. Just like inserting a tampon, you place the ring inside your vagina on the first day of your cycle, or before day five of your cycle. You leave it there for three weeks and, on the same day of the week as you inserted the ring and at about the same time of day, you remove it. Your period should start a few days later and, at the end of the fourth week, you insert a new ring and restart the process. Again, you should insert the new ring on the same day, and roughly at the same time, as you have done previously. Moreover, you should place the new ring on that day even if you’re still on your period.

 

The hormones in the ring don’t kick in straightaway, which means you should use another form of birth control, such as a condom, for the first seven days. After this, you won’t need to use the ring to prevent pregnancy, but continuing to use condoms will protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Because the ring is not a barrier method of birth control, it’s not critical that you place the ring in the exact right position, as long as you can wear it comfortably. If the ring does not feel comfortable, you can push it further back or remove it and try inserting it again. Once it is in place, most girls do not feel the ring. You can leave it there during exercise, swimming, bathing and intercourse, and it’s unlikely that it will fall out. However, if it does, you can simply rinse it under cold water and reinsert it, as long as you do so within three hours. If you reinsert the ring outside of this timeframe, you’ll need to use an additional method of birth control until the ring has been in for another seven days.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, control, control ring, hormones, insert, monthly cycle, prevent pregnancy, ring, vagina, vaginal ring

The Vagina Mystery: What Do You Really Know About it?

It’s strange how even though female sexuality is plastered all over the internet, the vagina itself remains a mystery to men and women alike. For women, taking care of your downstairs region obviously plays a huge role in your sexual health and wellbeing, so why are we so in the dark about it? There are almost too many vagina myths to count, so it’s definitely time to separate the facts from the fictions. Here’s all you need to know about vaginal wellness:

 

1. Kegel exercises aren’t just for orgasms: Although helping to enhance your orgasms is a key benefit to Kegel exercises, they also strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This can be helpful if you have trouble holding in your urine, stool or gas. ‘You can do these exercises just about anywhere,’ says Dr. Courtney Leigh Barnes, a gynaecologist at the University of Missouri. ‘These exercises can also be used to help with pelvic organ prolapse.’ This is a condition in which your pelvis drops and pushes against your vagina.

 

2. Probiotics could help prevent vaginal infections: The friendly bacteria known as probiotics can help digestion, combat diarrhoea and target gut inflammation. However, research suggests that using probiotics could help you fight against vaginal infections, such as yeast infections. However, Barnes notes, ‘There isn’t enough proof to make a specific recommendation. More research needs to be done to say for sure when, how much, and what types of probiotics are helpful.’ Still, Barnes has had patients who suffered from chronic vaginal infections, and said they felt better after taking probiotics. Although it’s not right for everyone, particularly if you have a lactose intolerance, Barnes says, ‘If I have a patient with recurrent vaginal infections, I will recommend probiotics in the form of fermented goat’s milk.’ To remove problem bacteria, ‘I always tell my patients to avoid douching,’ Barnes comments. ‘Flushing out the vagina with anything that might kill the lactobacilli can result in an overgrowth of other types of problematic bacteria.’ She also advises that you only use soap on the areas of skin that are covered in hair. ‘Water is sufficient for cleaning the non-hair-bearing regions,’ she explains.

 

3. There are discharges women should worry about: Your vagina is self-cleaning, meaning that it’s perfectly normal to experience some discharge. However, according to Barnes, ‘Any vaginal discharge that seems excessive, painful, irritating or foul in odour should be evaluated by a doctor.’ Although you may be embarrasses about this problem, and tempted to diagnose and treat it yourself, Barnes points out, ‘Unfortunately, research has shown that patients aren’t very accurate when it comes to self-diagnosis.’  It may be that you have something as simple as a yeast infection, but ‘other times, the infection can be more complicated, or even a sexually transmitted infection,’ Barnes warns, and you definitely need a doctor to catch this early.

 

4. Sex can keep your vagina healthy — especially after menopause: As a woman, your body goes through multiple hormonal changes. Puberty, childbirth, breastfeeding, the ageing process and menopause all bring about hormonal changes that could lead to vaginal dryness. Barnes explains, ‘Oestrogen helps keep the vagina healthy and lubricated. Once oestrogen levels drop, the vagina can become dry, and sometimes even be a source of pain.’ However, Barnes asserts, ‘Safe vaginal intercourse can help keep the vagina healthy and dilated.’ Using lubricants can help make intercourse more comfortable, and using hormonal therapies in the form of pills, patches, vaginal rings or creams may be an option if you experience extreme dryness and discomfort. Barnes cautions, ‘There are some risks to certain types of hormone therapy, so it’s important for women to discuss them with their doctor before making a decision to use them.’

Categories: Bacteria, barnes, Infections, Kegel Exercises, probiotics, vagina, vagina healthy, vaginal, vaginal infections

Are You Anxious About Your Vagina During Childbirth?

When women are pregnant and approaching the time of childbirth, one of the main concerns that they may have for their wellness and wellbeing is that they do damage to their sexual organs. The idea of something as large as a baby exiting via the small opening of a vagina can seem very daunting. Women worry a lot about either tearing or having to have an episiotomy (a cut made between the vagina and anus). Thus a term called ‘vagina anxiety’ was coined.

 

Vagina anxiety is the fear of the effects that childbirth could have on the birth canal and the delicate tissue and skin around the area. Women having preoccupying thoughts about this area of childbirth are thought to have this particular form of anxiety.

 

Health experts are not totally sure how many women do tear during childbirth, because many small tears are not ever recorded, but a UK study discovered that around seven out of ten women require stitches after childbirth, to sew up a cut or tear that has occurred during the birth. Bad tears are known as third of fourth degree tears, and tend to go from the vagina all the way to the anal opening, and these are far less common. A Canadian study found that only 7 in 100 women had a third or fourth degree tear during birth.

 

Episiotomy occurs when the healthcare provider makes the decision to make a small cut to the vagina, to ease the baby’s exit into the world. This can happen for various reasons, such as the baby being in distress, the baby being in an awkward position for birth, or the risk of tearing is very high. If an instrumental delivery is going to occur (such as when a doctor is going to use forceps) an episiotomy is often used to enable this to take place.

Categories: Baby, birth, childbirth, episiotomy, fourth degree, vagina, vagina anxiety, Women

Women at Risk of Vaginal Infection Due to Petroleum Jelly

A new study led by Joelle Brown at the University of California, San Francisco suggests that women who use petroleum jelly vaginally might be at the risk of a common infection called bacterial vaginosis.

 

Earlier research on the topic has certainly linked douching to harmful effects such as sexually transmitted diseases (STD), pelvic inflammatory diseases as well as bacterial vaginosis. However, according to Brown, very less research has been carried out on other products used by women vaginally.

 

After studying 141 Los Angeles women, the research derived that half of them had used some varied products vaginally in the past one month including petroleum jelly, baby oil and other sexual lubricants. Around 45 percent of them reported douching.

 

While testing the women for any infections, the study showed that women who used petroleum jelly in the past month were at a greater risk of bacterial vaginosis compared to the non-users.

 

What causes bacterial vaginosis? What are the symptoms?

The infection occurs due to a disruption or an imbalance caused between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the vagina. Itching, burning sensation, discharge or pain can be a few symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. However most of the women suffering from this infection may not get any symptoms mentioned. The infection generally doesn’t cause long term problems.

 

Nevertheless, bacterial vaginosis can increase the risk of contracting various STD’s including HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This can also lead to infertility in women due to a pelvic inflammatory disease.

 

Dr. Sten Vermund, director of the Institute for Global Health at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn supports the research too. According to him, it’s the alkaline properties in the petroleum jelly that increases the growth of bad bacteria in the vagina. He said, “An acidic vaginal environment is what protects women from colonization from abnormal organisms”.

 

As per Vermund, many studies have linked douching to a higher risk of vaginal infections as the practice disturbs the natural vaginal ecology. Experts believe that women don’t need to use products in order to clean the vagina. The area predominantly holds ‘good’ bacteria which produces hydrogen peroxide that works as a natural cleansing agent. However women continue to douche using various products available in the market.

 

These products might contain antiseptics and fragrances that can cause ill effects. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 40 percent of women aged 18 to 44 douche regularly. On this Vermund commented, “The frequency with which American women use unnecessary and harmful intra-vaginal products is unfortunate”.

 

What study suggests?

The research was conducted on a group of racially diverse women who were ready to test themselves for sexually transmitted diseases. The team found out that more than 25 percent of women were tested positive for HIV. Around 21 percent had bacterial vaginosis and 6 percent were suffering from yeast infection. As mentioned earlier, women who’d used petroleum jelly in the past month were 2.2 times more likely to be having bacterial vaginosis, keeping in mind the other factors such as age, race and douching habits.

 

It was found that the women were using the product not because they saw any symptoms. In fact, the ones affected did not show any sign or report vaginal symptoms. And the ones with symptoms said that they didn’t use petroleum jelly as a cure.

 

In contrast to Brown’s study, douching was not linked to bacterial vaginosis risk. This can be because of conducting the test on a small number of women as per Brown. Another fact she mentioned is that women use various other stuff to clean the insides that may comprise different chemicals and concentrations.

 

Likewise, sexual lubricants were not linked to bacterial vaginosis and as per Vermund, this research assures comfort to women who use sexual lubricants. However, Brown believes that more research and findings should be conducted on a larger basis in order to find out the effects of various products used by women vaginally.

 

As of now, Brown suggests that women should understand and know all the details of a product before using it. “Women should talk with their health care providers and ask them if the products they are using inside their vagina are known to be safe for use in the vagina,” Brown said.

Categories: bacterial vaginosis, infection, jelly, linked douching, pelvic inflammatory, petroleum, petroleum jelly, sexual lubricants, sexually transmitted, transmitted diseases, vagina

Thrush: What Is It and Do You Have the Signs?

The majority of women will deal with a bout of thrush at some point in their lives, and it is a common infection. Thrush is caused by a yeast fungus which is known as Candida spp. There are a number of treatments available, including an oral tablet and pessaries which are inserted into the vagina to treat the infection internally. There is also an anti-thrush cream which staves off the itching symptoms which are commonly associated with this problem. Although treatment is usually effective, some women repeatedly develop thrush. Small numbers of candida spp live on the skin and in the vaginal area, which are normally harmless. Your immune system generally stops the bacteria from developing further, but due to the nature of where the bacteria thrives it can sometimes develop because the vagina is a warm and moist environment where bacteria can develop. Other areas where candida infections can be caused include the groin, mouth and nappy area in infants, for the same reason.

 

The second most common reason for vaginal discharge is thrush, with the first being bacterial vaginosis. The discharge from the vagina is usually creamy and white, but it can also be thin and watery. This can lead to itchiness and redness, as well as pain and discomfort in this area. You may find that having sex or passing urine is painful as well. Although thrush doesn’t harm the vagina, it can be uncomfortable – it sometimes clears itself without the need for treatment, but often it requires an anti-fungal treatment in order to clear the infection fully. If you’re pregnant, there is no risk to your baby. More than half of all women get at least one bout of thrush in their lifetime, usually with no specific cause. There are conditions which increase the risk though, such as new medications, the vagina naturally making mucus which gives the bacteria a place to thrive, or if your natural defences are down and your internal balance is shifted. Although you don’t always need a test to diagnose this problem, don’t assume that all vaginal discharge is thrush – there can be many causes for discharge, so you will need to speak to your GP in order to determine if what you have is indeed vaginal thrush.

 

As previously mentioned, there are several forms of treatment, which work quickly and effectively to treat the infection and stave off the itchy symptoms. But there are also ways you can prevent vagina thrush from developing. These include wearing cotton underwear, as opposed to polyester, so that the skin can breathe and your genital area doesn’t become too moist and hot. You should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes for the same reason. It may also be helpful to avoid using perfumed products in the vaginal area, such as soaps and shower gels which may cause further irritation. There are some ‘natural’ remedies which offer little scientific proof of effectiveness, but that some women find to be soothing and helpful with regards to symptoms. These include inserting live yogurt into the vagina, adding a little vinegar or bicarbonate of soda to your bath to alter the acidity of the vagina, or using a tampon which has been impregnated with tea tree oil. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, and male partners don’t need to be treated unless they have symptoms on the tip of their penis – these include redness or itching of the penis, or a soreness in the foreskin. However, women can’t catch thrush from men who have no symptoms.

Categories: area, Bacteria, candida spp, female health, thrush, vagina, vaginal, vaginal area, vaginal discharge, Women

What are the Causes of Painful Intercourse?

Most of the people who get pain during sex are women – painful intercourse rarely affects men. A study carried out in Sweden found that 9.3 percent of women suffer with painful sex, and this is higher in young and inexperienced women, and fairly low in those over 50. Sex is meant to be enjoyed, so pain can ruin this experience for those suffering with this problem – usually the problem will resolve itself if time is spent on foreplay so that the woman can relax and become more aroused. Lubricants can help with this problem as well, as many people find that they can’t get aroused and this means that the body doesn’t produce natural lubricants. If you’ve experienced just one or two episodes of painful sex, you don’t need to worry – it’s natural that you’ll feel discomfort from time to time when a sensitive part of your body is being prodded quite hard. But you don’t need to put up with regular occurrences of painful sex. This usually means that there is something wrong, so you should seek advice from your GP when this happens. You may prefer to opt for a family planning clinic, or seek out a female IPM-trained doctor privately who is specially trained to deal with this problem – this is the advised route. There are also some great NHS-funded psychosexual clinics where they can offer advice on this issue – Sheffield, Preston, Tooting and Paddington are some of the best in the country. If you’re looking for a low-cost option, you may want to speak to a counsellor at a relationship clinic, such as Relate. While there are obviously physical reasons why you may be experiencing pain during sex, it’s important to remember that there is usually an emotional element as well. At the very least, experiencing pain during sex can be distressing which makes sexual activity stressful and anxiety-inducing.

 

Some of the physical reasons for pain during intercourse are serious, but the majority aren’t and are easily treatable. Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia to use its medical term, can be tested for by a vaginal examination and tests depending on what your GP believes it is. If you can note down your symptoms this will make it easier to narrow down the problem. Vaginismus is a condition which leads to deep and superficial pain, and is a common cause of painful intercourse. This is mainly caused by the fear of being hurt and leads to a spasm of the vaginal muscles. Some women with this problem have a fear of the vagina being touched, so may never have had sex or even had a smear test. It can lead to strong emotions and can make those who have it very angry with partners or doctors, and even themselves – it’s no-one’s fault though and cannot be helped. It’s commonly caused by a restrictive upbringing where sex was viewed as dirty or sinful, a medical history of painful vaginal infections, a history of rape or childhood abuse, or unease with a partner. This is best treated with therapy or counselling, as well as ensuring that you’re in a loving and supportive relationship with someone who makes you feel relaxed and at ease. Other problems include trouble with the womb, endometriosis, ovarian problems and pelvic inflammatory disease. Superficial pain can be caused by a lack of lubrication, which can be easily dealt with by using an effective store-bought lubricant. A well-endowed partner can also cause pain during sex, as some women find that their partner’s penis is simply too big - if they have a particularly narrow vagina, this can make the problem even worse. Although most women should be able to accommodate any man, given that the vagina stretches, some women find it a problem. This is something that can be overcome by simply relaxing and easing into sex, or using a new product which acts as a cushion around the penis and shortens the length of the shaft.

Categories: Pain, Sex, vagina