When should I consider egg freezing?

 

The discussion of fertility and family planning should take a front seat in your early 30s. We know that fertility declines significantly in your mid-30’s and declines even more closer to 40. If you are single and you’re not even thinking about future fertility, it may be time to have a conversation about egg freezing. OB/GYN’s are at the forefront when it comes to women and their fertility.  We need to be the ones to educate and enlighten our patients with the hard facts are their biologic clock. You may have to be the one to start this conversation with your healthcare provider in order to make plans for a possible future family. 

 

Can I get pregnant during your period?

 

While it’s hard to get pregnant during your period there are many women who use their period as a form of contraception.  For some women with shorter intervals between periods (for example 21 days between each period) these women ovulate on day 7 or 8 so they are prone to getting pregnant at the end of a long period.  Ovulation is the 24-hour window when the egg is available for the sperm to fertilize.  With fewer days between each period, you will ovulate earlier in the month.  For women who have a period every 21 days and a period lasting 7 days they can get pregnant on day 5, 6 or 7 if they have unprotected sex. Even though the risk is small, pregnancy can happen since sperm can live for 3 days!   

 

What is safe sex?  

Safe sex means condom use during vaginal or anal intercourse and oral sex (during which dental dams are used to protect the throat from HPV). And if there isn’t a dental dam in grabbing distance, plastic wrap or a cut condom will do the trick. Prevention is the best defense against STI’s. Male and female condoms are the current way to help reduce your risk of common sexually transmitted infections including HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.

 If my partner tells me they are negative for STI’s do I still need him to wear a condom?  

 

Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are on the raise. Condoms are often used as a form of birth control and a way to prevent STI’s. Even if your partner goes to his/her doctor to get an STI check-up and gets a clean bill of health, there is still a chance to contract a STI’s through sexual activity. HPV and HSV are 2 viruses that are difficult to find during a routine checkup on a man penis or woman’s vagina unless there is an active wart or lesion.   These 2 viruses’ can be transmitted through sexual contact even if tested negative during a physical exam. Following the practice of “safe sex” and using condoms is still the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections even if your new partner tests negative for STI’s during a pre-sex health care checkup. Using condoms regularly will help protect you against contracting HPV but it is not a 100% guarantee. Prevention is the best defense against STIs.

Is something is wrong with me if I am not getting a period every month while taking the birth control pill?

One of the side effects of the birth control pill is a light or non-existent period. For many, this is a welcomed side effect especially if your periods are traumatic!  When some women stop taking the pill, their periods may take 1 to 3 months to return to normal.  Many young women start the pill in their teens before they know whether or not they have regular or irregular periods.  So when they decide to go off the pill if they have irregular periods, it is not caused by the birth control pill. The birth control pill doesn’t cause you not to have a period.  It may be once you are off the pill you may find you have an underlying hormonal problem that has been masked by taking the birth control pill.  If this is the case, you should alert your health care provider

Is there withdrawal method a reliable birth control method?

 

The withdrawal method is not a reliable birth control method. It tends to be passed on as a great birth control method by your group of best girlfriends. Right before ejaculation your partner might have released some fluid called “pre-ejaculation” which is the liquid that comes out of the penis before ejaculation.  The liquid may have active and viable sperm that can make you pregnant.  

 

If I have itching and a discharge, does it mean I have a yeast infection?

 

You may be tempted to go to the drug store and buy over-the-counter medication for a yeast infection if there is any kind of vaginal discharge or itching.  Unfortunately, this can make the symptoms worse and delay a proper diagnosis and treatment.  Vaginal cultures can and should confirm what organism is causing your disruptive symptoms so the best treatment can be prescribed. Before you start putting yogurt into your vagina or trying other remedies, it’s best to take a trip to your healthcare provider to check things out properly.

 

Is there something wrong with me if I don’t have an orgasm with vaginal penetration

 

With its 10,000 highly sensitive nerve endings, the main function of the clitoris is to give pleasure. When stimulated, it becomes 3 times its size, and will ultimately bring you to an orgasm.  During vaginal penetration, if may be difficult to have a clitoral orgasm but you can have a vaginal orgasm.  2/3 of women do not have an orgasm with vaginal penetration. The majority of women have a clitoral orgasm only during oral and manual stimulation of the clitoris. With patience and practice you can learn to have a vaginal orgasm.

 

Will the birth control pill makes me fat?

 

The birth control pill definitely has noticeable side effects during the first 2 to 3 months of taking it. The main side effects that 95% of women get include breakthrough or irregular bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, bloating and headache.  You might experience one or two of these side effects when transitioning onto the pill.  Others note some water or fluid retention and as a result notice some weight gain.  The scale may show a 1–3-pound weight gain but studies show that this is a temporary side effect and goes away after the first 3 months.  A review of the medical literature shows that there is no evidence that the birth control pill causes weight gain in the vast majority of women.

 

 Is the vagina self-cleaning?

 

The vagina is equipped with over thirty organisms that help the pH balanced and free of infections. These organisms produce secretions (discharge) to naturally clean the vagina, much like the mouth does with saliva and the eyes do with tears. The cervical glands also contribute to the vaginal secretions (discharge). Depending on the time of month, vaginal discharge will change in consistency, texture, and smell. These organisms are responsible for keeping the vagina clean and free of harmful infections.

I like to think of the vagina and vulva like your oven at home. It may be self-cleaning but you still have to clean the stove top. The inside of the vagina has an army of healthy bacteria that cleans itself with a normal vagina discharge…similar to how tears help clean your eyes. The vulva and the entrance to the vagina need special attention given the exposure bacteria, sweat glands and hair.  I like to think the vulva should have the same feminine hygiene ritual as we do for our face. It needs to be cleaned, hydrated and moisturized with the same love and attention. Using vulva and vagina friendly products keep the skin of the vulva hydrate, moisturized and cleansed properly.  

Keeping the skin hydrated, clean and cared for will help prevent dryness. Other helpful daily hygiene rituals include using a gentle, non-fragranced soap and natural skin moisturizer daily especially ones made specifically for the vulva.  Taking a 20-minute warm bath with a handful of extra virgin coconut oil 3 to 4 times, a week will also rehydrate the skin of the vulva. Adding oral or vulva pro-biotics to your daily regimen will also keep the vulva hydrated and in complete balance and harmony.

Balance in life and balance in the vulva and vagina go hand in hand. The vagina is normally acidic.  This sounds pretty scary however it is the preferred pH balance and is perfect for the many protective organisms which all live happily together in the vagina. Anything that disrupts this delicate balance could lead to vaginal misery such as an infection, dryness, itching or burning. Skin dryness involving any part of the body is uncomfortable and annoying, especially when it comes to the sensitive tissue of the vagina and vulva.