Have you Tried Improving Sex With the Valsalva Manoeuvre?

Have you ever heard of the Valsalva manoeuvre? This is a technique employed in emptying the bladder, and can enormously benefit your physical wellness and wellbeing. The Valsalva manoeuvre is often taught as part of sexual therapy, and it can help to treat the very common male problem of premature or rapid ejaculation during sex.

 

This is a fairly simple technique, and it involves holding the breath whilst bearing down, as if you are trying to have a bowel movement.

 

Flaccid bladder is a condition where sufferers find it hard to fully empty their bladder, and the manoeuvre is used in these cases at the end of urination, in order to squeeze the last little bit out. To do this, sufferers have to remain seated on the toilet, finish urinating, and then hold their breath, leaning forward slightly. They then bear down slightly as if having a bowel movement and should find that the last bit of urine is drained from the bladder. This helps to empty the bladder completely, and is commonly suggested for people who are suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects motor and sensory control and can lead to complications such as flaccid bladder.

 

When it comes to premature ejaculation, the manoeuvre is generally used differently. The aim of the manoeuvre in this case is to increase the intimacy between partners and help the male to regain his sense of ejaculatory control.

 

A man who is employing the valsalva manoeuvre during sex will normally do so alongside the start-stop technique. After the start-stop technique has been introduced (along with the important communication that is vital for sexual therapy) a man can try the valsalva manoeuvre to help him regain control. When he feels as if he is about to ejaculate, he holds his breath and then bears down as if he is trying to do a poo and this should delay ejaculation.

Categories: bladder, bowel movement, Ejaculation, flaccid bladder, manoeuvre, nbsp, sexual therapy, technique, valsalva, valsalva manoeuvre

How Healthy Are You? Your Bowel Movements Could Tell You

A lot of people don’t realise that their bowel movements can tell them a lot about how healthy they are. Everything from how many times you go to to the colour and how much waste you expel will tell you so much about your digestive health. The digestive tract contains more bacterial cells than in the entire body, so it’s important that we pay attention to their health. If our bowels don’t work properly, it could mean that a vital bodily function isn’t working properly either. Our digestive tract needs to work properly in order to absorb the nutrients from our diets and to keep out toxins and chemicals that could lead to damage and ill health. Most people don’t think too much about what happens in the bathroom, but knowing what is right for you is important. Your diet is often to blame for a change in your bowels, but it may also be an infection or a serious condition. Here are five things to look out for:

Colour

The colour of your stools is usually a reflection on what you’ve been eating – obviously, different shades of brown are normal, but black and yellow aren’t. A black stool could indicate bleeding in the stomach or the entrance of the small intestine, and iron supplements can also darken your stools. A bright red stool could be blood coming from the lower part of the digestive system, such as the rectum or large intestine. Also, pale white or yellow stools can mean a problem – it may be a problem with the bile ducts, or even pancreatic cancer.

Shape

A change in the shape of your bowel movement could be a cause for concern, with some studies indicating that narrow and pencil-thin stools possibly indicating colon cancer. This is because it may show that there is a blockage in the intestine, making it difficult for fecal matter to pass through.

Smell

The smell of poo is never pleasant, but smells which are particularly strange or unpleasant shouldn’t be ignored. This is because it could indicate a health problem that your GP needs to be aware of. There are a number of reasons why your poo may smell worse, such as blood in the stools or medication, as well as a change in diet. If you’re worried, you should speak to your GP.

Constipation

Dry and hard stools that are difficult to pass are an indicator of constipation, and people who are constipated may only have a bowel movement a couple of times a week. It’s common for many people and almost everyone has experienced it at least once in their lives. The most common causes are a lack of hydration, poor diet, certain medications, a lack of exercise or numerous bowel disorders. A high fibre diet is often the best solution, as well as drinking more water. However, if you’re still struggling to pass stools, speak to your doctor.

Diarrhoea

When your stools are loose and watery, this is diarrhoea. Usually this only lasts for one or two days. Much like constipation, a change of diet or bacterial infections can lead to this problem. If left too long, it can lead to dehydration. If it’s lasted for a few weeks without any improvement, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Interestingly, it could also be a sign of you chewing too much gum – there are some ingredients in chewing gums that could lead to diarrhoea.

Categories: bowel, bowel movement, bowel movements, diet, digestive health, digestive tract, health concerns, people don, problem, stools, work properly

Haemorrhoids: How can you prevent them?

Haemorrhoids affect people for a variety of reasons and are commonly associated with pregnancy – they are small, blood-filled swellings which are caused by dilated varicose veins. They begin developing inside the anus, referred to as internal haemorrhoids, but they can sometimes protrude to become external haemorrhoids. They aren’t dangerous to your health in any way, but may have some unpleasant side effects. Constipation and prolonged straining when going to the toilet can contribute to them, as this increases the pressure in the veins. They can be present for years without you noticing, as they can remain within the body for a long time undetected, but they can also cause anal bleeding, itching, pain and discomfort. Usually, the bleeding is limited to small quantities of fresh blood on the toilet paper, but when stools are passed this may result in larger and more severe bleeding. You may also feel a lump in the anus which gives you a sensation that you haven’t had a full bowel movement. You should visit your GP if you find blood in your stools, as they can advise if you have haemorrhoids or another health problem which may require treatment. Your GP will test for haemorrhoids with a digital rectal examination and may go on to inspect the mucus membrane of the rectum, and the lower part of the large intestine, using a tube called a proctoscope or sigmoidoscope.

 

Haemorrhoids do sometimes heal themselves without treatment, and this can happen if they are caused by constipation. Your GP may suggest a change of diet which is higher in fibre and roughage, particularly green vegetables, fresh fruit and wholegrain cereals. You should also up your intake of water – experts recommend around eight to ten glasses each day. Although you may feel the need to, try not to strain when you go to the toilet as this is a sign that you need more fibre in your diet – no-one should need to strain to go the toilet. Some people find it beneficial to place their feet on a low footstool to aid the bowel movement if they’re struggling. You can sit in a shallow bath of hot water for 15 minutes several minutes a day to help relieve the pain from constipation. If you have piles which are protruding and painful, a day’s bed rest with an ice pack on the anal area could help. You may find a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel to be useful for this, though you should be careful that the ice doesn’t come into direct contact with the skin – do this for just 20 minutes and limit it to just three times a day.

 

Minor haemorrhoids can be treated with topical creams which you can buy from the pharmacy or have a prescription from your GP. They generally heal within a few days with this, and it will help with irritation as well. Rubber band ligation can also be carried out at your GP surgery or an outpatient clinic, and won’t require a hospital visit – it involves placing a small rubber band at the base of the haemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply, which will help it to fall off of its own accord after a few days. After your haemorrhoids have been removed, you will have small skin tags which develop beside the anus. These may be painful or itchy, and if they cause difficulty with your persona hygiene they can also be removed with a minor surgical operation. You should maintain a fibre-rich diet to avoid constipation, as this can cause it to recur.

Categories: Blood, bowel movement, constipation, diet, haemorrhoids, piles, rubber band, small, toilet