Most common vaginal woes

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF BIKINI WAXING

Models do it, actresses do it and now even the youngsters have caught onto this trend. Bikini waxing is a method of depilating pubic hair. As preparation, make sure your hair is not too long or too short, choose an experienced person for waxing, you could pop a pain killer (one hour before heading to the parlour) and wear comfortable cotton underwear after waxing. Some women may develop folliculitis (pimple-like boils) post waxing and may require antibiotics for the same. There are other less painful ways of maintaining hygiene — clipping hair with a sterlised scissor, shaving and laser treatment.


DESPITE MAINTAINING HYGIENE, THERE’S ODOUR IN THE VAGINAL AREA

Odour from the vagina could be due to vaginal infections that is either fungal, trichomonial or bacterial. It is generally accompanied with vaginal discharge which could be curdy white, lacy white discharge with greenish discolouration (in trichomonial infection) or thick creamish discharge as in the case of bacterial infection. All these are sexually transmitted infections which need to be treated with antifungal or antibacterial medications. Post-treatment, maintain regular hygiene by washing the area twice a day.


SHOULD YOU BLEED THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE SEX?

All women have a hymen which is at the opening of the vagina. This hymen may tear in childhood during vigorous exercises, cycling, jumping or due to masturbation. If intact, the woman will bleed while having sex for the first time. However bleeding does not indicate virginity in a female as it can be ruptured by other factors as well.


YOUR SATIN UNDERWEAR GIVES YOU AN ITCHY SENSATION AROUND THE VAGINA

Itchy sensation around the vagina could be due to vaginal infections. It could also be an allergy to satin underwear or sanitary pads. It is advisable to use comfortable cotton underwear. Sweat combined with synthetic material causes itchiness and irritation. To combat this, wash the area frequently and use unscented talcum powder.


YOU SUFFER WHITE DISCHARGE AROUND A WEEK BEFORE PERIODS AND FEEL WEAK

White discharge before periods is due to progesterone effect on the cervical mucous. Around this time the vagina secretes a harmless white fluid. If the discharge does not emit a foul odour or cause itching, do not feel afraid. Many people associate it with weakness, but that is just a myth. You could say the stress that comes with PMSing makes you feel weak.


WEARING SANITARY PADS GIVES YOU SEVERE RASHES. TAMPONS TOO ARE UNCOMFORTABLE

Modern day synthetic sanitary pads are known to do that. Ultrathin sanitary pads use a material that transforms menstrual blood into gel. This gives us a pseudo-dry feel and hence the less frequent change of pads. These pads, when come in constant contact with the skin, create rashes and an itchy sensation. Tampons is certainly not the way to go, as there have been cases of it causing severe vaginal infections. The way out is to use cotton sanitary pads and a frequent change every four hours.


IS IT NORMAL TO URINATE AFTER HAVING SEX?

The sexual act in some women may lead to a burning sensation in the vagina. This can be due to lack of lubrication or a yeast infection, both of which cause frequent urination. This condition is known as honeymoon cystitis. Here there is an infection of the urinary tract. Most cases call for a detailed gynaecological checkup for the couple.


SMALL WHITE PIMPLES APPEAR ALL AROUND THE VAGINA. WILL IT AFFECT FUTURE SEX LIFE?

White pimples may be due to folliculitis or molluscum contagiosum. Folliculitis can happen due to infection after shaving. Molluscum is a viral skin infection. Both can be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes occurrence of white pimples also symbolises herpes genitalis — an STD which calls for urgent treatment