Archive for 'sexual intercourse'

Vaginal Itching Causes

Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 5:10 pm  
Comments (1)

Vaginal itching is itching of the vagina and/or the vulvar skin that surrounds the vagina. Almost all females experience vaginal itching at some point in their lives.

The causes of vaginal itching can vary. Here are a few other common ones:

Chemicals in certain products can cause irritation or allergic reaction that can result in itching. Such products include laundry detergent and fabric softeners; bath soaps and deodorants; ointments creams, and lotions; ; and foams and jellies used during intercourse. Vaginal infections, particularly vaginal yeast infections, frequently cause intense symptoms, including vaginal itching. Common causes of vaginal yeast infections include the use of antibiotics or the Pill, (with or without condom usage), menstruation, pregnancy, diabetes, and a weakened immune system.

Other and (STDs), including bacterial vaginosis (BV), genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and pubic lice, may also be to blame.

Women who have vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina, may also experience vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, and inflammation along with their itching. Vaginitis frequently occurs in girls who have not yet reached puberty; however, it’s important to rule out STDs and to determine whether sexual abuse has occurred. Stress is a frequent contributor to the development of many health conditions, including vaginal itchiness. If you’re experiencing stress, learning some stress relieving techniques may help to reduce or prevent vaginal itching. Perimenopausal women approaching menopause and the post-menopause years frequently experience vaginal itching. Menopause-related vaginal itching usually occurs in association with vaginal dryness.

Other possible, but less common, causes of vaginal or vulvar itching include the presence of other skin conditions that may or may not be precancerous, and pinworms — a condition that primarily infects children.

Notify your doctor immediately if you experience vaginal itching accompanied by severe pelvic or lower abdominal pain, and / or a fever.

Sources:

Medline Encyclopedia; Vaginal Itching – Common Causes; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/003159.htm#Common%20Causes; accessed 06/11/09.
Women’s Health.gov; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Frequently Asked Questions; http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/sexually-transmitted-infections.cfm; accessed 06/16/09.

View the here

Tags: particularly vaginal yeast infections, sexual abuse, certain products, vaginal itchiness, Bacterial vaginosis

Urinary Tract Infections

Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 11:16 am  
Leave your comment

The urinary tract is the body’s filtering system for removal of liquid wastes. Because we have a shorter urinary tract, women are especially susceptible to bacteria that may invade the urinary tract and multiply — resulting in infection known as a urinary tract infection, or UTI.

Although most UTIs are not serious, they can be a painful nuisance. Approximately 50 percent of all women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime with many women having several infections throughout their lifetime. Fortunately, these infections are easily treated with antibiotics. Some women are more prone to recurrent UTIs than others and for them it can be a frustrating battle.

Treatment and Prevention Of Recurrent UTI

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

The most common cause of UTIs are bacteria from the bowel that live on the skin near the rectum or in the vagina, which can spread and enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Once these bacteria enter the urethra, they travel upward, causing infection in the bladder and sometimes other parts of the urinary tract.

Sexual intercourse is a common cause of urinary tract infections because the female anatomy can make women more prone to urinary tract infections. During sexual activity, bacteria in the vaginal area are sometimes massaged into the urethra.

Women who change sexual partners or begin having more frequently may experience bladder or urinary tract infections more often than women who are celibate or in monogamous relationships. Although it is rare, some women get a urinary tract infection every time they have sex.

Another cause of bladder infections or UTI is waiting too long to urinate. The bladder is a muscle that stretches to hold urine and contracts when the urine is released. Waiting too long past the time you first feel the need to urinate can cause the bladder to stretch beyond its capacity. Over time, this can weaken the bladder muscle. When the bladder is weakened, it may not empty completely and some urine is left in the bladder. This may increase the risk of urinary tract infections or bladder infections.

Other factors that also may increase a woman’s risk of developing UTI include pregnancy, having urinary tract infections or bladder infections as a child, menopause, or diabetes.

What Are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections?

Symptoms of UTI or bladder infection are not easy to miss and include a strong urge to urinate that cannot be delayed, which is followed by a sharp pain or burning sensation in the urethra when the urine is released. Most often very little urine is released and the urine that is released may be tinged with blood. The urge to urinate recurs quickly and soreness may occur in the lower abdomen, back, or sides.

This cycle may repeat itself frequently during the day or night–most people urinate about six times a day, when the need to urinate occurs more often a bladder infection should be suspected.

When bacteria enter the ureters and spread to the kidneys, symptoms such as back pain, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting may occur, as well as the previous symptoms of lower urinary tract infection.

Proper diagnosis is vital since these symptoms also can be caused by other problems such as infections of the vagina or vulva. Only your physician can make the distinction and make a correct diagnosis.

How Is a Diagnosis of UTI Made?

The number of bacteria and white blood cells in a urine sample is the basis for diagnosing urinary tract infections. Urine is examined under a microscope and cultured in a substance that promotes the growth of bacteria. A pelvic exam also may be necessary.

Note: If you have recurrent UTIs and bladder infections, you may be interested in purchasing an at-home test for UTI, which is available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. The test consists of a dipstick that changes color when you have a urinary tract infection. The test detects the presence of nitrite. Bacteria changes normal nitrates in the urine to nitrite. The test, which works best on first morning urine, is about 90% reliable.


View the here

Tags: bladder infection, several infections, recurrent utis, shorter urinary tract, vaginal area

Vaginal Itching

Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 10:18 pm  
Leave your comment

Vaginal itching can be caused by or infections. If you’re pregnant when you experience vaginal itching, you should know that the most common reason for vaginal itching during pregnancy are the normal changes to the vaginal PH level which can cause topical irritations. Vaginal yeast infections also are notorious for persistent vaginal itching.

Before trying any self-treatments or over-the-counter medications for vaginal itching, especially during pregnancy, you should see your healthcare provider to be sure you don’t have any STDs or STIs. If vaginal itching is found to be caused by the normal PH changes of the vagina that occur during pregnancy, there are a number of self-help treatments that you can try to relieve the itching and lower the PH of the vagina. Vaginal PH can be lowered by taking baking soda baths. You can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply the paste to the area that itches. There is a possibility that having may help due to the lower PH levels of the male semen. Some women find that cold compresses help relieve vaginal itching. Practice good hygiene. Keep the vulvar / vaginal area clean and dry. Always wipe from front to back after a to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina. Don’t use . Use only fragrance-free soaps, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners. Practice good hand washing habits. Wear clothing that is not tight or binding especially in the crotch. Wear white cotton panties and avoid wearing nylon panties or hose that decrease the airflow to the vaginal area. Wear a nightgown with no underwear to encourage airflow to the vagina during the night. Use warm bath water and do not add bubble baths or other fragrant products which can irritate the vagina and urinary tract. Use a bath soap for sensitive skin. Although you might think that Ivory soap is gentle, it is not! In fact, Ivory soap is one of the most drying and thereby itch causing bath soaps on the market. The use of hydrocortisone creams is not usually recommended since it can contribute to the breakdown of the skin, causing continued itching. Lidocaine gel is good for relieving vaginal itching because it is a pure anesthetic. If you have a genital yeast infection, one of the over-the-counter yeast infection creams or vaginal suppositories should quickly relieve the itch, as well as the other symptoms of vaginal yeast infections. Some women find relief from vaginal itching just by using a yeast infection cream externally once or twice a day. To your bath add:

Source:

Vaginitis: Causes and Treatments. ACOG Education Pamphlet.http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp028.cfm. Accessed 08/26.09.

View the here

Tags: continued itching, soap for sensitive skin, genital yeast infection, Health Medical Pharma, warm bath water

Vaginal Douching – To Douche o

Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 9:14 pm  
Leave your comment

A vaginal douche is a process of rinsing or cleaning the vagina by forcing water or another solution into the vaginal cavity to flush away or other contents. Vaginal douches are available over-the-counter and are made in a variety of fragrances by several manufacturers; they are also available by prescription to treat certain conditions or prepare for certain procedures.

Women choose to use douches for a variety of reasons. Many of these are related to myths or misinformation about what vaginal douches can do. A woman may use a douche to: Rinse away any remaining menstrual blood at the end of the monthly period. This is not necessary since the body will clean itself. Avoid pregnancy or following . However, douching is neither a contraceptive nor a preventatives measure against STDs or other infections. It can, in fact, increase the risk of developing an infection. Reduce vaginal odors. Women who have an unusual vaginal odor need to see their clinician for proper diagnosis since extreme odor may be sign of an infection or other serious problem, and using a douche may only complicate the condition. Feel “cleaner.” The vagina actually cleans itself so vaginal douches are not necessary. Follow a doctor-prescribed treatment for chronic yeast infections or chronic bacterial infections. Douching for this purpose should be done only under your doctor’s supervision using the special solution provided. Simply stated, the answer is “No.”

According to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health, douching may reduce a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant during a particular month by approximately thirty percent.

Regular vaginal douching changes the delicate chemical balance of the vagina and can make a woman more susceptible to infections. Douching can introduce new bacteria into the vagina which can spread up through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Researchers have found that women who douche regularly experience more vaginal irritations and infections such as bacterial vaginosis, and an increased number of .

Furthermore, regular users of vaginal douches face a significantly higher risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) — a chronic condition that can lead to infertility, or even death, if left untreated. Bacterial vaginosis and PID can have serious adverse affects on pregnancy including infections in the baby, labor problems, and preterm delivery.

For these reasons, douching is no longer recommended as a safe or healthy way to routinely clean the vagina. The only safe and healthy way to clean the vagina is to let the vagina clean itself. The delicate chemical balance of the vagina is very sensitive and easily disrupted by routine vaginal douching.

The vagina cleans itself naturally with its own mucous secretions. When bathing or showering use warm water and gentle unscented soap to cleanse the outer areas of the vagina. Feminine hygiene products such as soaps, powders, and sprays are not necessary and may lead to irritation of sensitive tissues.

View the here

Tags: vaginal discharge, monthly period, menstrual blood, American Journal of Public Health, vaginal odors

Vaginal Yeast Infections

Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 7:59 pm  
Leave your comment

Seventy-five percent of all women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection during her life and many are plagued by recurrent yeast infections. Learning to recognize the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection is vital before women attempt self-treatment.

Symptoms of yeast infection include itching, burning, redness, and irritation of the vaginal area. Severe yeast infections may cause swelling of the vulva and in some cases women experience painful and/or frequent urination which is caused by inflammation of the urinary opening.

Excessive which is thicker than normal, appears whiter and curd-like (almost like cottage cheese) will be apparent in women experiencing vaginal yeast infections. Sexual intercourse may be painful due to the inflammation and dryness of the .

Canidida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that is often found in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract; it is a normal inhabitant of humans that usually does not cause any adverse effects. Canidida of the mouth is known as thrush and is often found in infants and people with a variety of health conditions. When canidida is found in the vagina it is known as yeast infection or monilial vaginitis.

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the normal fungi that lives in the vaginal area. The most common fungi is Canidida albicans. Overgrowth of Canidida is often a result of recent use of antibiotics, or by wearing clothing such as nylon or lycra that traps moisture and heat. Other factors that often contribute to yeast infections include pregnancy, obesity, PMS, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes.

Yeast infections are common among women infected by HIV and women who suffer from recurrent episodes of yeast infection should be tested for HIV infection. Other possible causes include the use of , and consuming large amounts of sugars, starch, and yeasts.

Bacterial vaginitis is a far more prevalent vaginal infection than yeast infection and is characterized by a foul odor which is not present in yeast infection. Untreated bacterial vaginitis can result in pelvic inflammatory disease and lead to future infertility. It is imperative that a woman who is self-treating what she thinks is a yeast infection be positive that her vaginal infection is actually caused by yeast and not some other infection or STD.

Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and herpes can be mistaken for yeast infections because some of the symptoms are similar — there is discharge associated with gonorrhea, and herpes may often cause itching. Unless a woman is absolutely positive that her vaginal infection is yeast, she should seek the advice of her physician before self-treatment begins.

View the here

Tags: pelvic inflammatory disease, Seventy-five percent, yeast-like fungus, Canidida albicans, yeast infections

Use A Female Condom

Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 3:59 pm  
Leave your comment

The female condom is a sleeve-like device made of polyurethane. It has a small closed end, and a larger open end. Each end contains a flexible ring. Use this simple step-by-step guide to using female condoms to assure that you are using them properly during vaginal and/or rectal intercourse.The female condom must be properly positioned before any contact occurs between the penis and vagina and/or rectum. The female condom may be used for both vaginal and rectal .For vaginal use, squeeze the smaller ring and insert it into the vagina. The large end should be place over the vaginal opening to protect the outer genitalia from infection. For rectal use the small ring should be removed. Place the condom over the erect penis. The condom will be inserted with your partner’s penis.Be sure the penis goes directly into the large ring to preclude unprotected sexual contact between the penis and the vagina or rectum.Remove the condom immediately after and before standing up. To avoid semen leakage the large outer ring should be twisted. Carefully pull the condom out and dispose of it. Use care when storing condoms. They should not be kept in places with extreme temperatures either hot or cold. Do not store them in a pocket or billfold.Use a new condom for each act of sexual intercourse. Do not use the same condom for vaginal and rectal sex.Never use a male condom and female condom at the same time. Always use water-based lubricants with condoms. Oil-based lubricants will destroy latex condoms. Lubricants are not needed when condoms are used for oral sex.Never throw a used condom into your toilet, they can easily clog up your pipes and require expensive plumbing repairs.Water-based lubricantFemale condomif(zSbL

View the here

Tags: female condom, large outer ring, sexual intercourse, The female condom, outer genitalia

The Human Papillomavirus HPV: More Common Than We Can Imagine and Deadly

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 am  
Comments (10)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. Experts estimate that up to 24 million Americans infected with HPV, and the occurrence of infection and disease seems to be escalating. More than 60 kinds of HPV have already been discovered by researchers.

Several forms of the virus cause typical skin warts.

About one-third of the HPV kinds are passed via and dwell only in genital tissue. Low-risk types of HPV produce genital warts, by far the most recognizable indication of genital HPV contamination. Other high-risk sorts of HPV cause cervical cancer along with other genital cancers.

Just like most sexually transmitted microorganisms, HPV usually results in a quiet infection, that is, without visible symptoms. One particular research sponsored through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) documented that almost half of the women infected with HPV had absolutely no obvious symptoms.

Because the viral infection persists, individuals may not be conscious of their illness or the the risk of transmitting to others as well as suffering complications. If you are unsure whether or not you have HPV, I strongly encourage you to get tested – especially if you have been promiscuous at any time in your life. This is very important for women who could develop cervical cancer if the HPV is not properly diagnosed and treated. Get check out!

Reprinted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Tags: Sexually transmitted disease, national institute of allergy and infectious diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases View, genital tissue, quiet infection

SEO Powered By SEOPressor

Fitness Through Fasting Blog is Stephen Fry proof thanks to caching by WP Super Cache