Sexual health tips for EVERY woman
There are also a host of signs and symptoms that things aren’t as they should be – often caused by lifestyle or even medication. Women’s health experts Tania Adib, a consultant gynecologist at The Medical Chambers in London’s Kensington and Dr Sarah Brewer, Medical Director of Healthspan, reveal everything you wanted - and need - to know.
BE WARY OF FEMININE WASHES AND WIPES
There are a whole host of feminine care products available online and instore nowadays. However, many of these products can actually do more harm than good, by disrupting the natural ph balance of the vagina and causing damage to the vaginal tissues. This can lead to a whole host of undesirable problems, from itching and burning sensations, to infections such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis, so it’s important to know what’s safe to use and what might cause a problem. Generally, I advise avoiding feminine care products altogether, and instead recommend that women use an unperfumed soap – or ideally, nothing at all. It’s important to remember that the vagina itself is selfcleaning. The mucous discharge all women have is doing the job of keeping it clean and healthy. When it comes the inner mucosa of the vagina (the part inside the vulva) using just water during a bath, shower or even with a bidet to wash away any menstrual blood or sweat is fine. However, if women really want to use wipes or shower gel then I would advise opting for products that contain natural ingredients. Also, never douche! Douching – the practice of sluicing water up your vagina with a pumped device – is associated with a range of health problems, including the infections mentioned above and also increased rates of cervical cancer and ovarian cancer.
I GET CLOTS IN MY PERIOD. IS THIS NORMAL?
Clotting will be normal for some women - however, it does show that your periods are heavier than they should be. When it comes to menstruating, your body usually knows that this kind of bleeding is non-harmful, so it doesn’t need to clot in the usual way, as say when you cut your knee. Anti-coagulants usually thin the blood, allowing it flow freely. A heavy period overwhelms the natural anticoagulants – hence the clots. Heavy, clotty periods can be very inconvenient, they can also be harmful to health. If a patient came to me with blood clots, I would be concerned she might be anemic due to the heavy blood loss. The first line of treatment would be a drug which has a chemical action that reduces bleeding. Controlling your periods with oral contraceptives or the Mirena coil is another option. The coil provides contraception and can lessen periods – although you should be aware that symptoms may get worse initially. If that doesn’t work, and you don’t wish to have children, there are other surgical options, such as an endometrial ablation. The latest techniques mean they can be done under local anesthetic in day surgery, or if you prefer under a general anesthetic.