No more periods means no need to see a gynecologist every year, right? Actually, no. While menstrual problems and pregnancy planning and support are no longer part of the picture, the need for a gynecologist remains, but the reasons change as you age. Following is a brief rundown on why you still need to see […]
Let’s break the stigma around lubricants. The main function of a personal lubricant is to remedy the lack of natural lubrication. Some lubricants are designed for short-term relief during sex. Other lubricants, like Mia Vita Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer, are designed to provide all-day relief from vaginal dryness and vaginal discomfort by moisturizing sensitive skin as
Not to be confused with VHS (remember those?), VSM stands for vulvovaginal symptoms of menopause. VSM might explain your vaginal and urinary tract concerns you might not have been associating menopause with. The term GSM or Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is the technical term for this condition and has replaced VSM. VSM can persist and
Our bodies undergo considerable changes during pregnancy. As our hormones rise and fall, however, it can be a challenge to identify what’s a normal experience and what might warrant a call to your OB-GYN. Vaginal dryness is one such uncomfortable experience that can develop during pregnancy and postpartum. Why does it happen and what are
Vaginal discharge is something every woman experiences over the course of her life. But depending on our age, where we’re at in our menstrual cycle, and whether we’re pre or post-menopausal, the vaginal discharge we produce can change. Sometimes these changes go beyond the bounds of what’s considered normal discharge and can be cause for
Between your pelvic organs and gravity lies a thin layer of muscles and ligaments called the pelvic floor. During physical exercise, coughing or sneezing, or pregnancy these muscles contract to stabilize your core and keep your pelvic organs in place against downward pressure. And, they relax in coordination with the contraction of the bowel or
The vagina can lose elasticity or become excessively narrow due to a number of conditions. When this happens, sex can become painful and urinary function can be impaired. Loss of vaginal elasticity also presents challenges for a woman and her health care provider during a routine pelvic exam or when there is a need for
If you are one of the 10% of women in the U.S. with endometriosis, you may also experience dyspareunia. Simply put, dyspareunia is pain during sex. Sometimes pain occurs before, during, or after intercourse in women with endometriosis and can impact mental health and relationships. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be
If you’ve endured a urinary tract infection (UTI), you’re not alone. Up to fifty percent of women will experience a UTI over the course of their lives. UTIs are disruptive and uncomfortable; even more so when they don’t seem to go away. Why does this happen and is there anything you can do to prevent
Autoimmune diseases are more common in women than they are in men. Up to 78% of people with an autoimmune condition are women. Exactly why this is the case is still up for debate, but researchers cite changing hormones, stress, and genetics as possible reasons. If you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, it’s likely that
Most women — up to 75% will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their life. They can cause itching, irritation, and discomfort to the vagina and the vulva. A vaginal yeast infection, also known as thrush, is the most common form of vaginitis, a condition where the vagina may be swollen and painful. The good
We hear a lot about one of the main offenders of vaginal dryness: reduced estrogen due to menopause (or other conditions). But what about some of the other causes of vaginal dryness – those troublesome hidden offenders that we can’t identify immediately? You may be surprised to discover they’re lurking in plain sight – perhaps