Scary Symptoms in Intimate Areas: 7 Vaginal Conditions

Not only does the odd twinge or sudden onslaught of vaginal pain hurt; it can cause you to be concerned for your overall wellbeing. Your vagina is your most intimate space, so it’s really scary when something might be going awry. Therefore, it’s good to know the main conditions that affect vaginal wellness, so that you know what symptoms to look out for. If any of the following sounds familiar, you should talk to your doctor.

 

1. Vagititus: According to sexual health and wellness writer Natasha Burton, author of The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags, vagititus ‘is a catchall medical term to describe vaginal pain, burning and itching that coincides with an infection or inflammation happening between your legs. The discomfort can be caused by an influx of bacteria, irritation from creams, or a sexual partner.’

 

2. Dyspareunia: ‘One-fifth of women experience this condition of painful sexual intercourse, which can happen before, during, or even after sex,’ Burton explains. ‘Dyspareunia is most common in menopausal women due to their reduced oestrogen levels, which lead to thinner vaginal walls, lower levels of lubrication and reduced sexual sensation.’ Sara Gottfried, MD, OB/GYN, author of The Hormone Cure, adds, ‘Up to 25% of the Pill users have vaginal dryness and pain with sex, which totally defeats the purpose of going on these puppies. Other causes include infections of the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes or lower urinary tract, scarring from childbirth, a prolapsed womb, endometriosis, radiotherapy, allergies, and stress.’

 

3. Vaginismus: Burton notes that, similar to dyspareunia, vaginismus ‘is more specific to pain that happens during penetration. Basically, the pubococcygeus muscle reflexes in a way that makes the vagina tense suddenly, making it nearly impossible to have sex or even insert a tampon without your vagina hurting really, really badly. Causes can include stress, fear, partner issues, trauma, childbirth, menopause, and certain medications.’

 

4. Vulvodynia: Vulvodynia ‘is characterised by burning, stinging or sharp pangs at the vaginal entrance, labia and vulva,’ says Burton. ‘The condition can flare up once in a while or happen constantly, but either way, this condition can last for years.’ Gottfried points out, ‘Women of any age can contract vulvodynia, and scientists are still trying to determine exact causes. Causes may include nerve injuries, trauma, genetic factors, inflammation, hypersensitivity to yeast infections, allergies, history of sexual abuse or frequent antibiotic use.’

 

5. Dysmenorrhea: Burton notes, ‘This intense pain before and/or during your period can include sharp pain, shooting pain or burning sensations. (Think of this condition as, like, the worst cramps ever.) Typically, this pain will ebb as your period slows down but if the pain is really intense, it could be a symptom of endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis (narrowing of the opening to the uterus), a tumour, or even toxic shock syndrome.’

 

6. Menorrhagia: ‘This condition sometimes comes along with dysmenorrhea and is characterised by a super heavy—or super long—period, which could be caused by abnormal blood clotting or disruption in how your hormones regulate your cycle,’ Burton details. Gottfriend advises, ‘Any period lasting longer than seven days should be discussed with your friendly neighbourhood gynaecologist.’ While you’re waiting for your appointment, Gottfriend recommends noshing on kale (for the iron).

 

7. Adenomyosis: Burton outlines, ‘The pelvic pain you’d feel from this condition occurs when the cells that typically line your uterus grow into the muscular tissue of the wall of your uterus. Typically, there are no other symptoms except your cramps getting worse with every period you have (the condition can also cause both dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia)…The cause of this condition is still unknown and while there are treatments available to ease the discomfort, sometimes a full hysterectomy is the only cure.’

Categories: burton, burton notes, condition, Dyspareunia, nbsp, Pain, vaginal, vaginal pain, vaginismus, Vagititus

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

Not a Dirty Subject: Let’s Talk About Discharge

Having discharge is a normal part of female sexual wellness and wellbeing, but many women feel embarrassed to talk about it and so don’t know what is normal and what is not. The vagina produces these secretions in order to stay healthy clean, protected against germs and infections and lubricated.

 

Normal vaginal discharge will be transparent and should be either odourless or have a very mild odour. It can look white at times and the amount varies due to hormonal changes at different times of the month. The amount also varies between women.

 

Some young girls find that before their periods start, they begin to get vaginal discharge, and this is totally normal. It is a sign that the hormone levels are changing in the body and that it is gearing up for the arrival of puberty and menstruation. It could still be six months to a year before your first period arrives following on from this increase in discharge.

 

Most women don’t need to take any special considerations for their vaginal discharge, although others feel more comfortable if they are wearing some kind of thin liner or pad when it is at its heaviest.

 

Vaginal discharge changes throughout the month in response to the various stage of the menstrual cycle and also environmental factors too. When ovulation occurs, the cervix generally produces more fluid, theoretically to help the sperm pass through the cervix and fertilise the egg. Women who are in the middle of their cycle may notice that their discharge becomes heavier and also sticker, like egg white.

 

Pregnancy can also cause an increase in vaginal discharge, as can sexual arousal, and you may also find that there are other factors that can lead to a change in your vaginal discharge, such as stress, certain drugs (such as contraceptives), diet changes and breastfeeding.

Categories: discharge, nbsp, normal, vaginal, vaginal discharge, Women

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

The Hidden Culprits: Why You Keep Getting Yeast Infections

Isn’t it just sod’s law that you first become aware of sexual health issues when you’re out and about? It’s often when you’re in a meeting or out running errands that you suddenly experience an uncontrollable itch…down there…and you know exactly what your wellness has been affected by: a dreaded yeast infection. Gynaecologist Rebecca Booth, MD, co-founder of the VENeffect skincare line, explains, ‘Wherever there is sugar or carbohydrates (which the body has), the yeast will feed on that. We don’t ever entirely rid our bodies of yeast. What we do is we keep it in check.’ There are well-known causes of yeast infections; antibiotics, douches, weak immune systems or tight clothes made from barely breathable fabrics. However, some other, hidden causes may also be preventing you from keeping yeast in check:

 

1. Low oestrogen: Oestrogen feeds acidophilus, keeping yeast at bay, but right before your period, your levels of oestrogen levels dip and this enables yeast to grow. Booth notes, ‘A lot of women will say that they get symptoms right around their period that later go away.’ If this sounds all-too familiar, Booth suggests doubling up on probiotic supplements in the week before your period, as well as avoiding sugar or extra carbs and eating more yoghurt. Booth comments, ‘I think prevention is best, rather than treatment. We need to think of keeping ourselves in balance so we’re not symptomatic.’

 

2. Too much sugar: Booth’s mantra goes, ‘Wherever there’s sugar, there’s yeast.’ This means that your obvious offenders, such as sugary snacks, invite yeast into the picture, but you also need to be wary of consuming lots fruit, juice or high-carb foods. These seemingly healthy foods can also cause your blood sugar to spike, especially in the morning when your blood sugar is low. Booth warns, ‘The kind of morning diet that causes a jump in blood sugar can stimulate the yeast to take over.’ This is especially true if you have coffee alongside your sugary breakfast: ‘When you combine caffeine with sugar, the yeast basically has a party and takes over.’ So, what should you eat instead? Booth recommends, ‘Anything to stabilise blood sugar so as not to feed the yeast.’

 

3. Pantyliners: According to Booth, ‘Pantyliners cause a low-grade irritation that can decrease the skin’s immunity. When our defences go down, we get more symptomatic.’ The same goes for scented or synthetic tampons, especially if your tissue is ultra-sensitive. Moreover, the synthetic fibres in pantyliners block airflow, and yeast loves environments with little air. Therefore, you’re much better off wearing cotton underwear with no liners, and using an unscented, cotton tampon if you tend to get frequent infections.

 

4. Vaginal eczema: Eczema is characterised by scaly, itchy rashes that tend to crop up on your arms or legs, but did you know that it can also show up on your vulva and vaginal tissues? When this happens, Booth details that it ‘causes chronic inflammation and irritation, so some people can develop yeast infections.’ If you find that this is the case, Booth advises that you speak with your gynaecologist about treating the vaginal eczema. Once the eczema is treated, the yeast issue should clear up as a result.

 

5. Spermicidal condoms: Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingredient you’ll find in most spermicides, and it’s not the gentlest substance. Booth explains, ‘If the spermicide is irritating for the woman, then that will disturb her vaginal immunity and allow [yeast] to take advantage.’ This is also true of spermicide creams, jellies, foams, gels, films and suppositories, as well as diaphragms, which are usually paired with spermicidal creams, jelly or gels that can cause irritation. Again, talk to your gynaecologist about alternatives, such as Durex condoms.

Categories: Blood Sugar, booth, keeping yeast, Low Oestrogen, nbsp, Pantyliners, Sugar, vaginal, vaginal eczema, yeast, Yeast Infections

Remastering Sex: Are Vaginal and Clitoral Orgasms Different?

Back in the fifties, Dr William Masters and Virginia Johnston were pioneers in the world of sexual health and wellbeing. As you may have seen on current Channel 4 series Masters of Sex, Masters and Johnston broke boundaries, challenging everything wellness experts ever thought about sexuality – particularly female sexuality. Before Masters and Johnston came along, women who climaxed from vaginal stimulation alone – i.e. without the help of a big, strong man – were thought to be mentally unbalanced. Still, while Masters and Johnston found no medical difference between clitoral and vaginal orgasms, thereby breaking down misconceptions that female sexuality was linked to poor mental health, a new series of essays has found that there may be differences between the two kinds of orgasm after all.

The new series of essays, which were published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, lays out the evidence that vaginal and clitoral orgasms are, in fact, separate phenomena, activating different areas of the brain. This may indeed reveal key psychological differences between women.  Emmanuele Jannini, a professor of endocrinology at the University of Aquila in Italy, who organised and contributed to the essay series, notes, ‘We have plenty of evidence regarding the difference between the two main orgasms, clitoral and vaginally activated orgasm.’

In one essay, French gynaecologist Odile Buisson argues that the front wall of your vagina is inextricably linked with the internal parts of your clitoris, and so it may be next to impossible to stimulate the vagina without activating the clitoris. Out of this point, Buisson concludes that “vaginal” orgasms could be clitoral orgasms by another name. Still, researchers like Barry Komisaruk of Rutgers University claim that the different kinds of orgasm are reflected in different responses in your brain. ‘If the vagina stimulation is simply working via clitoral stimulations, then vaginal stimulation and clitoral stimulation should activate the exact same place in the sensory cortex,’ Komisaruk says. ‘But they don’t.’ While these clitoral, cervical and vaginal stimulation areas are close together in the brain, they only overlap slightly.

Then you have anecdotal reports from women that vaginal and clitoral orgasms feel different. If you have a spinal cord injury that cuts off all communication between your clitoris and your brain, you can still have orgasms via vaginal stimulation. If you’re a very fortunate lady indeed, it’s even possible to think yourself into having an orgasm, or to have one from a tough abdominal workout at the gym. According to Rutgers University professor emerita Beverly Whipple, one of the discovers of the also-controversial “G-spot,” ‘[O]rgasm in women is in the brain, it is felt in many body regions, and it can be stimulated from many body regions as well as from imagery alone.’

So what does this all mean for you? While these new fMRI studies and more sophisticated understandings of anatomy are unravelling what Jannini refers to as a woman’s “very complicated machinery,” this is not to say that you should feel inferior if you don’t orgasm vaginally. She explains, ‘A woman should have an understanding — who is she, how is her body composed, what is the possibility of her body, but she should not be looking for something like a race, like a game, like a duty. Looking for the G-spot orgasm or the vaginal orgasm as a need, as a duty, is the best way to lose the happiness of sex.’ Doing that puts us right back to before Masters and Johnston changed the way we view sex and – trust me on this – you don’t want to go back there.

Categories: body regions, clitoral, clitoral orgasms, female sexuality, orgasm, Orgasms, Research, rutgers university, vaginal, vaginal orgasms, vaginal stimulation

Could You Be Suffering From the Condition Vaginal Atrophy?

If you are going through the menopause, there are many different areas of your wellness and wellbeing that can be affected, and your sexual health is one of the most important ones. Unfortunately, this is the area of menopause that is less often talked about, as women often feel uncomfortable and embarrassed to discuss them – even with their GP – even although most know that the menopause is a natural part of getting older.

 

Whilst symptoms such as difficulty sleeping and hot flashes are frequently discussed by menopausal women, it is less common to hear dialogue regarding issues such as vaginal itching and burning, vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, frequent urinary tract infections, urgent or painful urination and bleeding during intercourse. These are all signs of something called atrophic vaginitis, which is also known as vaginal atrophy.

 

These symptoms are distressing and debilitating and can have an impact on your emotional health, as well as your physical health. Pain during intercourse in particular can be distressing as it can interfere with your ability to enjoy intimacy with your partner. The pain that women experience in this area can range from mild and temporary to long term and debilitating. It is very important to talk to your healthcare provider about this symptom, as there are things that can be done and there is really no need to suffer in silence.

 

The reason that vaginal atrophy occurs is due to the decreasing of oestrogen during the menopause. This hormone keeps the vagina flexible and produces natural lubricants, and so during the menopause the elasticity is diminished and a decrease in blood flow often occurs. This can lead to dryness and to cracking of the vaginal tissues.

 

The good news, however, is that vaginal atrophy is highly treatable, and so it is really worth contacting your healthcare professional if you are suffering from any of the above symptoms.

Categories: atrophy, intercourse, Menopause, nbsp, vaginal, vaginal atrophy

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