Women's Health Discussions

[Princess08]

Should you use Vaginal Douches?



We've probably seen the variety of vaginal douche products for sale at your local drug store. We can buy vaginal douches in an array of scents, in pretty boxes designed to entice you into buying them. The companies that make vaginal douches make millions of dollars every year from women who use their products.


Vaginal douches usually contain water with vinegar, or some type of fragrance. You squirt the douche fluid into your vagina to wash it out. Some women like to use vaginal douches after their periods to feel clean inside. Other women use vaginal douches after sexual intercourse. But do we really need to use vaginal douches? Do women need to douche to clean themselves out after menstruation or sexual intercourse?


The answer to these questions is simply, “No.” Women don’t need to use vaginal douches at any time. In fact, doctors don’t recommend using vaginal douches. The vagina cleans itself –- naturally -– with no products required. Natural fluids in the vagina keep the inside of the vagina fresh and clean.
Vaginal douches are not the only unnecessary feminine hygiene product on the drug store shelf. You can leave most of the other feminine hygiene products including sprays, powders, and soaps on your drug store shelf, as well.
The truth is that some of these products, particularly vaginal douches, may be harmful to your health. Vaginal douching increases the risk of developing a serious infection by upsetting the balance of the naturally occurring vaginal substances that keep the vagina healthy. All that’s needed to clean the outside of your vagina is a warm bath or shower with gentle, preferably unscented, bath soap. Maybe, you’ve heard you can prevent pregnancy by douching after *** –- you can’t. Vaginal douching is not a contraceptive. Vaginal douching after *** also does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. In fact, trying to use a vaginal douche as a method of birth control or to prevent STDs may have the opposite affect and actually increase the risk of pregnancy or getting a STD or other vaginal infection by pushing sperm or bacteria further up into the reproductive tract.


an infirmative thread to all women,


-princess-

[Princess08]

8 Myths and Misconceptions About STDs

How much do you know about sexually transmitted diseases or STDs? Chances are that as informed as you may think you are about STDs, misinformation about some of the facts about sexually transmitted diseases is abundant. Learn about some of the most common misconceptions about STDs, as well as the truth before you suffer the potential long-term effects. These effects include damage to your reproductive system, as well as the possibility of losing your life.


1. Myth: “I haven’t been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases because we haven’t gone all the way. We usually only kiss and touch each other – well we did have oral ***, but only once.”
Fact: There are three ways to transmit sexually transmitted diseases. These ways are vaginal or anal intercourse and oral ***. Don’t deceive yourself just because you’ve only had one or a few sexual experiences. Being sexually active even once puts you at risk for both STDs and unplanned pregnancy.
2. Myth: “I’m protected from sexually transmitted diseases because I take The Pill.”
Fact: This myth about sexually transmitted diseases is probably one of the most common and dangerous misconceptions about STDs. While taking The Pill decreases your risk of unplanned pregnancy drastically, when taken as directed, oral contraceptives and other birth control methods never offer protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
Tip: Even if you are taking The Pill or using another contraceptive method, you need to know that your risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases can only be reduced through consistent and proper use of either male or female condoms, never both types, during every sexual encounter.
3. Myth: “My boyfriend has herpes but we never have *** when he has outbreaks of herpes and sores or blisters are visible. We are always careful, so I’m sure I won’t get infected with the herpes virus.”
Fact: Just because visible signs of genital herpes aren’t clearly present when you engage in *** with someone infected with herpes doesn’t mean the virus is not present and in the earliest stage of herpes outbreak. In fact, genital herpes is transmittable for several days prior to the appearance of herpes sores or blisters. While using condoms does offer almost certain protection against most STDs, the herpes virus is often present on areas of the male or female genitalia not covered by a condom, which increases your risk of getting genital herpes through skin-to-skin contact. If your partner has a history of herpes outbreaks, take care of yourself and be sure your partner is seeing a physician regularly and taking any prescribed medications. Also, make sure that (s)he learns to become more aware of their body and the symptoms that often occur at the onset of each herpes outbreak.
4. Myth: “I had a sexually transmitted disease and took most of the medicine the doctor gave me, so I didn’t go back for my follow up appointment because my prescription got rid of the STD.”
Fact: The number one rule for anyone diagnosed with any type of sexually transmitted disease is to take all your medication as prescribed, as well as to follow all other instructions (including follow up appointments) as directed by your health care professional. Not finishing all of your medication, exactly as prescribed, may result in the STD still being present -- regardless of whether or not you have any signs or symptoms. The only way to know if the sexually transmitted disease is no longer present is to follow-up with your doctor for retesting and examination. Previously diagnosed STD patients should also be sure to always use condoms to protect themselves from, potentially fatal, sexually transmitted diseases.
5. Myth: “I don’t have any of the signs or symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, so I can’t be infected.”
Fact: It isn’t uncommon for women, in particular, to have a STD without experiencing any of the common signs or symptoms. The symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases are often confused with other conditions, which results in a misdiagnosis, and delay in proper treatment.


6. Myth: “I have a vaginal discharge and am a little itchy. I don’t need to see a doctor when I can just buy one of those vaginal yeast infections that are sold at my pharmacy or grocery store.”


Fact: Not all vaginal infections are vaginal yeast infections. You should never buy a product for self-treating a vaginal yeast infection, unless a doctor has previously diagnosed yeast infection, and you’re confident that this is the exact same infection. Although, you may think that vaginal yeast infections are the most common cause of vaginal discharge, many STDs cause discharges, and actually the most common cause of vaginal discharge is actually bacterial viginosis.
7. Myth: “I think I might have some type of sexually transmitted disease. But I’m not too worried, after all I just need to get a prescription and it will be gone.”
Fact: This casual attitude toward sexually transmitted diseases is likely one reason that the rate of STDs continues to increase. Simply taking a pill won’t cure all types of STDs. A virus is the cause of several sexually transmitted diseases. Antibiotic treatments only cure STDs caused by bacteria. Viral STDs are lifelong diseases that you must constantly remain aware of their continual presence. Sexually transmitted diseases caused by viruses include HIV, the virus that causes AIDS; the human pappilloma virus or HPV, genital herpes; cytomegalovirus a virus often called CMV; and .
8. Myth: “I’ve only been sexually active with one person, so I don’t have to worry about STDs.” Fact: That’s great, but how many other people did your partner have *** with before you? Even if (s)he says you’re their first, it’s impossible to be sure that you’re getting the full truth. Always worry about STDs. The only way to 100 percent protection from sexually transmitted diseases is sexual abstinence. Condoms provide a significant amount of protection against STDs, but things can sometimes go wrong and the possibility of getting or catching sexually transmitted diseases is always there.


-princess-

[Princess08]

12 Ways to Prevent Abnormal Vaginal Discharge and Infection

Many factors can play a role in the occurrence of vaginal infections and discharge. What can you do to reduce your risk of vaginal infections? Practicing these simple tips significantly reduces your risk of getting a vaginal infection:

1. Always wear white cotton panties. Cotton allows your genital area to breath, helping the vaginal are to stay dry. It's also a good idea to wear panties only during the day and not at night when you are sleeping.
2. Don't use vaginal douches.
3. Never use petroleum jelly or oils for vaginal lubrication. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria to grow.
4. If you are being treated for a vaginal infection, use all the medication as directed even if you think you are better.
5. Don’t have sexual intercourse during treatment for a vaginal infection and until you have no more symptoms.
6. Avoid vaginal contact with products that can irritate the vagina such as feminine hygiene products, perfumed or deodorant soaps, powders, lotions, and bubble baths.
7. Always avoid prolonged wearing of tight-fitting clothing such as bathing suits, exercise wear, pantyhose, or slacks.
8. Many times, vaginal infections cause intense itching – don’t scratch! Itching infected, inflamed areas will only make things worse.
9. If your period starts while you are using vaginal creams or suppositories, continue your regular medication schedule during your period and don’t use tampons – use pads instead.
10. If you are self-treating a vaginal infection and your symptoms are not improved after treatment, see your health care provider for a vaginal exam. Don’t use any vaginal products or treatments for 48 hours before your appointment.
11. Always use condoms during sexual intercourse unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship.
12. Always wipe from front to back after urination or having a bowel movement. Improper wiping easily spreads bacteria to the vagina and may lead to vaginal discharge and infection.

Of course good basic hygiene, plenty of sleep, and well-rounded nutrition with an appropriate fluid intake are always good idea for vaginal health, as well as for your overall health and well-being.


-princess-

[goodies]

thanks for the tips... hehehehe

[Princess08]

no prob!! ill post mor of womens health soon!

[szichri]

12 Ways to Prevent Abnormal Vaginal Discharge and Infection

Many factors can play a role in the occurrence of vaginal infections and discharge. What can you do to reduce your risk of vaginal infections? Practicing these simple tips significantly reduces your risk of getting a vaginal infection:

1. Always wear white cotton panties. Cotton allows your genital area to breath, helping the vaginal are to stay dry. It's also a good idea to wear panties only during the day and not at night when you are sleeping.
2. Don't use vaginal douches.
3. Never use petroleum jelly or oils for vaginal lubrication. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria to grow.
4. If you are being treated for a vaginal infection, use all the medication as directed even if you think you are better.
5. Don’t have sexual intercourse during treatment for a vaginal infection and until you have no more symptoms.
6. Avoid vaginal contact with products that can irritate the vagina such as feminine hygiene products, perfumed or deodorant soaps, powders, lotions, and bubble baths.
7. Always avoid prolonged wearing of tight-fitting clothing such as bathing suits, exercise wear, pantyhose, or slacks.
8. Many times, vaginal infections cause intense itching – don’t scratch! Itching infected, inflamed areas will only make things worse.
9. If your period starts while you are using vaginal creams or suppositories, continue your regular medication schedule during your period and don’t use tampons – use pads instead.
10. If you are self-treating a vaginal infection and your symptoms are not improved after treatment, see your health care provider for a vaginal exam. Don’t use any vaginal products or treatments for 48 hours before your appointment.
11. Always use condoms during sexual intercourse unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship.
12. Always wipe from front to back after urination or having a bowel movement. Improper wiping easily spreads bacteria to the vagina and may lead to vaginal discharge and infection.

Of course good basic hygiene, plenty of sleep, and well-rounded nutrition with an appropriate fluid intake are always good idea for vaginal health, as well as for your overall health and well-being.


-princess-

thanks for the info... specially no. 1... hehehehe... (i'll let my wife read this... )

[Princess08]

"Am I pregnant?" is probably the most common health question women ask. The signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are easy to recognize, particularly if this is not your first pregnancy. No matter how many times you get pregnant, the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are the same. However, this does not mean that you will experience every pregnancy the same way. For example, during one pregnancy, you may experience incredible breast pain or nausea and vomiting, while during another pregnancy you might not experience these symptoms at all. The simple fact is that each pregnancy, just like each newborn, is different. So, don't count on having the same symptoms or the same intensity of symptoms during consecutive pregnancies.
Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

• Swollen, tender, or sore breasts and/ or nipples – Often this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. In fact, some women know when they are pregnant based on this sign alone. The reason breasts and/ or nipples are often sore, swollen, or tender during early pregnancy is because the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding. The reason for this is the increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone that occurs and the breasts and/ or nipples are often particularly painful during a first pregnancy.

• Fatigue or unusual tiredness

• – Early pregnancy is time when a woman’s body is working very hard to keep up with the changes that occur. This means increased hormone production, as well as the fact that the heart is pumping harder and faster due to the escalation of blood flow – necessary to bring nutrients to the growing fetus. Increased progesterone production is the primary reason for the extra fatigue most pregnant women experience early in their pregnancy. Progesterone, known to cause sleepiness and a natural central nervous system depressant, is the reason this occurs. Another reason for fatigue and unusual tiredness during early pregnancy are the emotional extremes experienced often during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for a pregnant woman to burst into tears for no apparent reason other than the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this time. This symptom is also a sign to get more sleep before your baby arrives when you’ll need your energy to care for your newborn baby.

• My Period is Late, Am I Pregnant?

• – The most common reason for missing your period is pregnancy and this is often the first sign that makes you suspect pregnancy. Only a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam, can tell you positively whether you are pregnant. Once your health care provider rules out pregnancy as the cause of your late or missed periods, the next step is usually to rule in or out several other possible explanations for absence of menstruation or amenorrhea.

• Light bleeding and/or cramping

• – The most common reason for light bleeding during early pregnancy is implantation. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining and usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Bleeding caused by implantation is very light, often the only sign you might notice that indicates implantation has occurred is a small (can be as small as a pinhead followed by no further bleeding) spot of blood left on your panties. Cramping that is similar to menstrual cramps occurs very early during pregnancy and happens when the uterus begins to expand to make room for the embryo to develop into a fetus that continues to develop for a total of 40 weeks gestation when your baby is born.

• Morning sickness – Nausea during pregnancy can occur with or without vomiting. While morning sickness is most common between weeks four and eight during pregnancy, many women experience this symptom beginning about two weeks from their date of conception.
  Morning sickness is a misnomer since it can, and often does, occur at anytime of the day or night. The most common reason for this symptom seems to be the rapid rise in estrogen, produced by the fetus and placenta. Another trigger for nausea is odors. During pregnancy, a woman’s sense of smell increases considerably and can make almost anything from everyday household odors, foods, perfume, and smoke, to name a few, trigger a bout of morning sickness or nausea and vomiting. The most common foods to trigger morning sickness are coffee during the first weeks of pregnancy, meat, dairy products, and spicy foods. However, it’s essential to understand that literally anything can trigger nausea and/ or vomiting during pregnancy. In fact, I personally know someone who became nauseated during one of her pregnancies every time she passed a microwave in operation.

• Running to the bathroom – During the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s easy to believe you might have to “move” into your bathroom since it seems you are constantly running to make to the bathroom. The growing uterus causes frequent urination during pregnancy. The first and third trimesters of pregnancy are typically when the most intense frequent urination happens.

• Headaches – Headaches that occur during pregnancy are often intense and caused by increased hormone levels.

• Mood swings

• – Don’t think you’re crazy if you suddenly develop atypical mood swings or if you are unusually emotional during pregnancy, these are very normal reactions during pregnancy. Many times, pregnant women burst into tears for reasons that are unclear to anyone, including the pregnant woman. Another symptom caused by increased hormone levels.

• Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy

• – Caused by the circulatory system as dilation of the blood vessels occur. Low blood sugar, early in pregnancy, also triggers these symptoms.

• Increased basal body temperature or BBT

• – Your basal body temperature is your temperature immediately upon rising in the morning. BBT normally increases during ovulation and decreases when menstruation occurs. However, when pregnancy takes place increased basal body temperature continues after menstruation is late. BBT is a good indicator of pregnancy for women who have used it, either to prevent pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.

• Constipation

• – Food digests slower than usual during pregnancy due to increased progesterone production. Slower digestion sometimes causes constipation during pregnancy.

I have one or more of these symptoms, does that mean I am pregnant?

Not necessarily, sometimes these signs and symptoms mean that you’re sick or that menstruation is about to begin. Another point to remember is that while these symptoms are common during pregnancy, sometimes none of these symptoms occurs.

If you experience the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, buy a home pregnancy test and see your doctor – either to begin prenatal care and confirm your pregnancy or to determine the cause of your symptoms if you’re not pregnant.
Tip: Keep track of your periods. Mark the first day, as well as the last day, of your period on a calendar – day one of the menstrual cycle is the day your period starts and is the basis for determining due dates during pregnancy.



-princess-

[Princess08]

10 Ways to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections or UTI

What can you do to help prevent urinary tract infections from interfering in your life? According to the National Institutes of Health, health professionals recommend the following tips to reduce your risk of developing UTI.

1. Water helps flush your urinary tract, so make sure you drink plenty of plain water daily.
2. Don't hold it when you need to urinate! Women are often guilty of trying to finish a task before they go to the bathroom. Holding it, when you need to go, can help any bacteria that may be present develop into a full-fledged urinary tract infection.
3. You've probably heard that you should wipe from front to back after a bowl movement. This is especially important to help prevent bacteria from the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
4. Taking showers instead of tub baths helps to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra and causing a UTI.
5. Always wash your genital area both before and after sexual intercourse to help prevent transferring bacteria to the urethra or vaginal area which can create a breeding ground for UTI.
6. Feminine hygiene sprays and douches, particularly scented douches, can irritate the urethra and possibly begin a case of UTI. So, be safe and learn to say "No" to feminine hygiene sprays and douches. Doing so will help prevent not only urinary tract infections, but also other infections and irritations that these products may cause.
7. Drinking cranberry juice is a fairly well known and natural way to both help prevent urinary tract infections, as well as help speed the recovery process when UTI develops. Just drinking two 4 ounce glasses of cranberry juice daily is often enough to both prevent UTI and speed recovery when an infection does develop.
8. Another nutritional route that may help prevent UTI is Vitamin C supplements taken on a regular basis. Vitamin C increases the acidity level of urine which in turn helps decrease the number of harmful bacteria that may be present in your urinary tract system.
9. Always wear panties with a cotton crotch. White cotton panties are even better. Cotton fabric lets moisture escape while other fabrics can trap moisture, creating a potential breeding ground for bacteria.
10. If you are one of a large number of women who suffers from frequent, recurrent urinary tract infections, a change in your position during sexual intercourse may help reduce the number of UTIs that you experience. Changing sexual positions may reduce friction on your urethra and reduce your risk of recurrent UTI. Women who suffer from extremely frequent urinary tract infections may be prescribed an antibiotic to take immediately after *** to help prevent the likelihood of urinary tract infection occurrence.

Source: NIH Publication No. 04-2097


-princess-

[orkayl]

interesting!!! guys please take note!!!

[P-Chan]

interesting!!! guys please take note!!!

guys why??