Intimate hygiene in women

Hygiene is next to godliness is an ancient saying found in many nations. Nowadays, people are taking more than one shower a day and if you are a woman, you should know that excessive use of aggressive soaps can seriously disrupt the delicate balance of microflora in the intimate regions and reduce the possibility of self-defense. Almost every modern woman has experienced tingling, itching or pain in the vagina accompanied by exaggerated secretion at least once in her life. These problems rarely stop on their own and they are usually one of the main reasons to visit a gynecologist.

In the period of puberty, women experience the process of secretion in this area which occurs due to the peeling of cells located in the lining of vagina and cervix. The smell,, color and the quantity of secretions vary depending on the period of the cycle. The secretion contains millions of bacteria and the vast majority of them are harmless. The most important microorganisms in the intimate region are the lactobacilli that can turn glycogen into lactic acid. The glycogen can be found in the cells of the vagina and the lactic acid is here to maintain the protective pH value. Disorders in the microflora and changes in the pH levels of the vagina can occur for various reasons – stress, low immunity, fatigue, hormonal changes and misbalance, antibiotic therapy, pregnancy, menopause etc. Wearing a thong or too narrow pads, pants and underwear made of synthetic material contributes to the development of the imbalance because it prevents the skin to breathe and favor the transmission and spread of bacteria.

In order to avoid discomfort, it is crucial to take proper care of your intimate hygiene. There is a huge choice of products and means for keeping proper maintenance of the hygiene in the intimate area on the market. Almost all famous cosmetic brands produce baths, gels, shower gels, wet wipes etc. What is important is to choose a product that has pH value of about 4 and doesn’t contain perfumes. You should be especially careful with shower gels because many of them don’t have pH adjusted to the pH value of skin. This value is about 5.5 and the pH of intimate areas is 3.8 or 6.8 in women in post-menopause period. Since it is not a wise choice to overdo things, don’t overuse these products too. It is enough to apply them once a day or even less frequently. Many gynecologists even advise to wash only with water in order to give chance to the microflora to regenerate in a natural way. When you are traveling, use wet wipes which are specially designed for intimate care, but keep in mind that they are not an appropriate alternative for washing. Intimate hygiene is especially important during the period of menstruation. By practicing proper hygiene you will be able to reduce the risk of development of airborne bacteria and fungi. Try to change the tampons every 2-3 hours and replace them over night too. They should be made of completely natural materials.            

Choosing the Right Type of Birth Control Pills

Choosing the shape, content and type of birth control pills depends on the individuals that want to use them and the final decision is left to the gynecologist. The main goal in this process is to find pills that provide minimal intake of hormones in the body and secure regular menstrual cycle. These pills prevent pregnancy through: prevention of ovulation, affecting the mucosa and cervix in order to block the path of the semen, affecting the uterus so it won’t accept fertilized eggs or affect the fallopian tubes. In addition to the many advantages they have they also have some unwanted side effects too.

The so-called combined contraceptives, those that contain progesterone and estrogen are the most efficient way to prevent unwanted pregnancy (in addition to surgical procedures) and they are available in a form of pills. There are several types of birth control pills – monophasic, biphasic, three-phase pills and pills for a 91-day cycle. A woman can start practicing this form of contraception only after approval by a gynecologist who determines the type of pill and approves the end of this method at patient’s request. These pills can usually be bought only on prescription. 

Monophasic birth control pills contain both progesterone and estrogen and they consist of sets for the entire cycle – 21 days. They come in the same color and they are most appropriate in cases of switching the menstrual weeks. After 21 days of taking these pills there should be a one week break when the period occurs. If a woman wants for some reason to get her period a week earlier than usual she can simply avoid using the last seven pills. Ortho Tri-Cyclen 

Buphasic birth control pills contain two different doses of progesterone. The amount of progesterone intake starts to increase at halfway through the cycle. The amount of estrogen remains the same throughout the entire cycle. Some experts suggest that lack of biphasic pills can lead to bleeding.

Three-phase birth control pills gradually increase the dose of estrogen during the cycle. Some of them even increase the dose of progesterone. They usually come in four colors and in case when a woman that uses this type of pills want to change the date of her period it is more likely that she will experience increased bleeding.

91-day birth control pills are actually a type of monophasic contraceptive pills that are approved for 91-day cycle on a daily basis. These pills retain menstrual period for 84 days. Users have period once in every three months. Occurrence of occasional mild bleeding is possible.

Urgent or morning pills are a type of birth control pills used only in situations of unexpected sexual intercourse or rapes in cases of unwanted ejaculation of seminal fluid in the vagina. It is necessary to take two pills after the sexual act is finished. These pills should be taken as soon as possible and no later than 120 hours after the sex act is finished. If the pill is taken too late it is possible to conceive. 

Safe Sex Education – Condom Effectiveness vs. Hormonal Birth Control

Birth control and safe sex education are volatile subjects. Unfortunately, safe sex education is still a taboo, with all the progressive movements and women’s rights around. However, we may very well assume that most people do not wait until they get married. Abstinence is not an option anymore, since these days the gist of young people educates themselves and get one or more degrees, they attend college or university well in their mid-twenties, they cannot even think of starting a family until their early thirties. A first occasion at the age of thirty would be more than awkward, it would most certainly lead to issues. So let’s put aside the idea that one will get married to the right person and they will stay faithful forever. It hardly ever – if ever – happens in real life. Safe sex education is more realistic.

It is natural that one does not want children. You do not have to explain yourself why. Listen to your heart. Instinct will tell you whether you want it or not, at least, not yet. You should always consult your gynecologist before you decide on contraception.

Do not trust condom effectiveness to avoid pregnancy. Hormonal contraception is safer than barrier methods. It is a fact. Hormonal methods have much lower failure rate. Some people believe in condom effectiveness, they think that condoms can protect them from unwanted pregnancy and STDs sexually transmitted diseases) alike. This is not the case. Even if a condom does not break, it is still less safe than pills. Those failure rates are higher for a reason. Due to improper storage, like exposure to heat, cold or light – how can you know whether condoms were stored properly before you bought them? –, a condom may have tiny imperfections that can lead to leaks. Fingernails or jewelry may damage a condom. You can wear away or tear a condom while you put it on or while you are having an intercourse. Semen can spill out at the top. Oil-based products like creams, lotions, moisturizers, lubricants can damage a condom. If you do not use lubricants inside the condom, a longer sexual intercourse may wear it off and it may break – if you do use lubricants, too much of them, the condom may slip off. Condoms can slip anyway, you will not even notice the tiny drops of semen that can get you in trouble. You do not want to play Russian roulette with your safety and health but a better sex life.

Condom Effectiveness and Safe Sex Education

Male condoms are 85% safe. Even if you use a condom perfectly, condom effectiveness is only 98% safe. Female condoms have even worse ratings. A condom may help prevent sexually transmitted diseases, but do not trust condom effectiveness when it comes to unwanted pregnancy. It would be best if you used a combined method. Get a condom to protect yourself from STDs and use a safer birth control method at the same time.

Safe Sex Education: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Birth Control

Hormonal contraceptives are safe. When used perfectly, pills have less than one percent failure rate. IUDs are even better. Yes, there can be repercussions. IUDs may cause painful, intense menstrual bleeding. Birth control pills may mean a risk for you if you smoke, take antidepressants, are prone to blood clotting, have cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or high blood pressure. However, doctors may come up with lots of safe options. At the vast majority of the cases, the worst side-effects of pills are minor symptoms like nausea or tender breasts. Do not be afraid of chemical contraception.

If you are sure that you never want to have kids, you may want a hysterectomy. It does not have to be a radical hysterectomy, which means that your ovaries are removed, too. It is a good idea to keep your ovaries; do not get rid of them. They produce hormones that will help prevent osteoporosis and early aging. If you have your entire womb removed, with the ovaries left in your body, you cannot get pregnant ever again – there will be no place for a fetus to grow.

Always think twice which method to use, and be reasonable. Consider your sexual health, your sexual life, the number of sexual partners, the effects and side-effects of birth control methods before you make a decision.