6 facts about sexual health that you should know

1.       Douching is a no-no

You have probably heard all the fishy-smell jokes by now, so you do not want to be the woman with the vag with THAT smell. So you do all you can, buy all the products that promise to make you squeaky clean down there, but really, you should not.

What you can do: The vagina is an amazing organ that comes with its own self-cleaning mechanism. If it has a strong odour you should get checked as that could mean you have an infection. Other than that, avoid heavily scented soaps and douching products as they may upset the natural balance of good bacteria. Mild soap and water is more than enough to cover it.

2.       Never in the mood? Check your pill

Most birth control options involve manipulating hormone production so that you do not ovulate. However, some of these hormones contribute to your sex drive, including the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).  This hormone reduces the amount of testosterone, but this may work against you in terms of desiring sex, because testosterone is thought to enhance your sex drive. Studies show that women on birth control have up to four times the normal amount of SHBG in their bodies, meaning less testosterone. In addition, less oestrogen, which is also reduced by the pill means it may be harder to get wet during sex, which makes it painful and less desirable.

However, most women’s sex drive is not adversely affected (it may even be increased for some) but according to a 2013 review in the European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 15 percent of women are affected.

What you can do: If you are among the fifteen, talk with your gynaecologist about possible birth control alternatives. You can choose non-hormonal contraceptives such as an intrauterine device (IUD) which is sometimes called a coil.

3.       Working out too hard can cause infertility

Exercise is great for your health and fertility, but too much of it can have the opposite effect, according to a Norwegian study headed by Sigridur Lara Gudmundsdottir. Training every day to the point of extreme exhaustion raises your risk of infertility.

What you can do: According to the study, this can be reversed by going back to moderate exercise.

4.       Pelvic organ prolapse

This is when the pelvic organs (rectum, bladder, uterus) that are supported by the pelvic muscles drop from their normal position and press against the vagina or protrude through it. The bladder is the organ that most commonly does this. Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the pelvic muscles are weakened, mostly during childbirth but can also be caused by surgery to remove the uterus, which can leave other organs without support. This prolapse happens years after childbirth.

What you can do:  To lessen the risk of undergoing pelvic organ prolapse, do exercises that strengthen the pelvic muscles, such as kegel exercises. Also ensure that you maintain a healthy weight, do not smoke, and take measures to control constipation, which exacerbates the weakening of the pelvic muscles.

5.       Narrowing of vagina during menopause

You might have enjoyed sex during your younger years, but as you grow older, you may have found that it gets more painful. This can not only be caused by dryness of the vagina, but also   narrowing of the vaginal canal, as it becomes less elastic. This is the vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) which is the thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls. The bad news is that this can begin as early as in your late thirties (during perimenopause – the period before menopause), when your ovaries start producing less oestrogen. By the time you hit real menopause, your ovaries don’t produce any oestrogen, which produces lubrication, resulting in more dryness.

What you can do: The good news is, having more sex can help the situation. This helps to maintain some elasticity. Also, you can use vaginal moisturizers even when not being sexually active to keep things fresh. You can also get your doctor to prescribe oestrogen cream or pills and use lubricants during sex.

6.       More stress = worse sex life

Good sex is largely governed by hormones. When you are stressed out, the body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which reduces your sex drive.

What you can do: Luckily, you can combat excessive levels of cortisol through stress-fighting hormones known as endorphins, which are produced during exercise. They are literally feel-good hormones and they are also produced during any activity that produces calmness, relaxation or happiness. These include meditation and deep breathing exercises. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and good nutrition also helps.