Feminine Intimate Healthcare: What you need to know about your Vagina
Feminine Intimate Healthcare: What you need to know about your Vagina.
“What's the big mystery? It's my vagina, not the sphinx! “
-Sex and the City.
It’s not easy being a woman. Women are primary care givers and nurturers in any family. Those who work outside have the additional challenge of juggling domestic responsibilities with professional aspirations. However, even as women effortlessly go about their varied roles, many end up neglecting their own health. And the one aspect of health that is perhaps the most neglected is “Intimate Care” with over 75% of all women being completely unaware of the need for a separate intimate care regime. Most women seek curative measures and visit a doctor only when they experience discomfort and irritation in their intimate areas. Poor intimate health can get in the way of having a pleasurable sexual experience for those who are sexually active. Also, this can affect the overall sense of well being because of the discomfort that comes with it all. Luckily, understanding a bit about intimate wellness can help with any issues you may have which in turn will boost your confidence as a woman. Intimate health can refer to a number of different aspects of a woman's reproductive and sexual health. This term may be used in references to a variety of different conditions that affect the female genitalia or her reproductive organs (such as STI’s, yeast infections, vaginitis, etc). These are issues that make it difficult for a woman to enjoy sexual intercourse. For women, sexual changes are often a part of aging and menopause. “Feminity is your greatest power. Embrace it!” -Stacey Martino. The following are common problems women may have with intimate wellness:- Vaginal dryness : this occurs due to decreasing estrogen (the major female hormone which promotes the development and maintenance of the female characteristics). This may be associated with menopause and some medications may also cause this.
- Vaginal laxity: this is a looseness that occurs in the vagina. It can happen after vaginal childbirth but it may also be associated with menopause or aging. Laxity can cause a loss of sensation during sexual intercourse.
- Low sex drive: this may be caused by physical factors such as hormone imbalance or vaginal discomfort. Other issues related to menopause like fatigue, insomnia and mood swings can also contribute to a low libido.
- Vaginal infections: these are the most common intimate health conditions. They include; chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, thrush, pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomoniasis, cystitis etc.
- Lucy .H. Pearce.