Vaginal Health

Vaginal health is as important as a woman’s health since vaginal problems can affect a woman’s fertility, desire for sex, intimacy with a lover, ability to achieve an orgasm, self-confidence in overall life etc

There are many factors that can affect vaginal health, some can be modified and some cannot. Below are some examples of those factors.

1.  Hormonal factors: The vaginal health can be affected by changes in hormone levels. Estrogen hormone production declines after menopause, after child birth and during breast feeding. Loss and/or reduction of estrogen hormone can cause vaginal atrophy or vaginal lining to thin and this may make sex painful.

2.     Old age: Old is not gold for vagina either. After menopause the vagina loses most of its elasticity. Menopause is the end of fertility and menstruation.

3.     Pregnancy and childbirth: Vaginal discharge often increases during pregnancy thus proper hygiene is required during this phase. Vaginal tears are common during child birth. Sometimes an incision is made between the vagina and anus during child birth, called episiotomy. A vaginal birth can also decrease vaginal muscles tone.

4.     Social-psycho issues: Anxiety and depression can cause a decrease in sexual arousal thus resulting in painful sex. Sexual trauma normally caused by sexual abuse or initial painful sexual intercourse can also lead to pain associated with sex.

5.     Birth control products: Some spermicide products can cause vaginal irritations. Using diaphragm can also induce toxicity inside the vagina. Some women also react to birth control pills e.g. making the vagina dry or abnormally wet.

6.     Unprotected sex: It is possible to acquire a sexually transmitted infection if you have unprotected sex.

7.     Aggressive sex: Forceful sex, dry sex, sex when less aroused, rough sex, severe sexual mismatch e.g. deep penetration for shallow vaginas, can result in vaginal trauma.

8.     Health conditions: Some health conditions like diabetes can cause vaginal dryness.

9.     Medications and feminine hygiene products: Prolonged use of antibiotics can result in vaginal yeast infection. Some antihistamines also cause vaginal dryness and loss of sexual desire. Superabsorbent tampons can lead to toxic shock syndrome — a rare, life-threatening complication of a bacterial infection.

Maintaining a healthy vagina

1.     Be sexually responsible: Insist on always using a condom during sexual intercourse or be faithful to one partner who is healthy.

2.     Kegel regularly: Kegel exercises assist in maintaining the tone of your vaginal muscles and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Tighten your pelvic muscles as if stopping a stream of urine. Once you get used to it, do at least 6 sets of 10 kegels daily for the rest of your life. This is highly recommended for women who have just given birth.

3.     Discuss your medication with doctors: Before you take certain medicines know their side effects and possible effects upon the vaginal health.

4.     Maintain proper hygiene: Maintain high cleanliness in your vagina. Avoid tight fitting pants that don’t allow proper aeration. Avoid vaginal douching. Don’t wash your vagina with perfumed soaps instead wash it with clean water. If you use sex toys, ensure that it is very clean before using it and wash it after use.

5.     Don’t smoke or use alcohol: Alcohol use and drug abuse can cause sexual dysfunction like lack of sexual arousal. Nicotine can also lower your sexual arousal.

Problem indicators that might warrant visiting a medic

1.     Sudden change in your vaginal secretions odor, color, or the amount of discharge especially if it is accompanied by fever or other symptoms.

2.     A bulge in your vagina that was not there.

3.     Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse or after menopause.

4.     A sensation of pressure or heaviness in your vagina.

5.     Vaginal itching, redness or irritation.

6.     Pain during urination or blood during urination.

7.     Sudden change in sexual reactions e.g. intense pelvic pain after sex.

8.     Pelvic pain, ovarian pain, uterine pain, etc

9.     Employ common sense. If it is uncomfortable, consider consulting your doctor before it is too late.

It is good to go for regular check up to your gynecologist. Don’t let embarrassment hinder you from going for check ups.