{"id":34835,"date":"2024-08-27T07:00:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T07:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=34835"},"modified":"2024-11-21T22:32:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T22:32:51","slug":"your-sexual-health-questions-answered-by-a-gynecology-professional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/your-sexual-health-questions-answered-by-a-gynecology-professional\/","title":{"rendered":"Your sexual health questions answered by a gynecology professional","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the questions Terry Silvestrin, ARNP, a board-certified nurse practitioner and certified menopause clinician<\/a> at MultiCare, always asks her patients: Do you have any concerns about your sexual life?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really important to talk about this topic,\u201d Silvestrin says. \u201cOne of my missions as a nurse practitioner is to empower women, or anyone with a vagina, to understand their bodies, what feels right to them, and to voice their questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are answers to five sexual health questions patients commonly ask Silvestrin.<\/p>\n

Q: Do I look normal down there?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cVariations of this question are probably the most common ones I get,\u201d Silvestrin says. \u201cPeople can feel a lot of pressure for their genital area to look a certain way, but we\u2019re all built differently, so there is no one right way to look.\u201d<\/p>\n

As long as your vulva \u2014 the external parts of your genitals that include the opening to the vagina and urethra \u2014 and the surrounding area is functioning the way it should, then rest assured you are \u201cnormal\u201d and healthy, Silvestrin shares.<\/p>\n

However, if you feel pain, discomfort or irritation in this area of your body, then you should make an appointment with your gynecologist or other health care provider to discuss your symptoms.<\/p>\n

Q: I feel itchy and uncomfortable down there a lot. What\u2019s going on?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feelings of itchiness in the vaginal area are common. Yeast infections, which may become more frequent as you age due to drops in hormone levels, are often a culprit. But they aren\u2019t the only one.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany conditions, such as bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections, can cause itchiness, too,\u201d Silvestrin says. \u201cIf the itching doesn\u2019t resolve or if it\u2019s accompanied by other symptoms, then it\u2019s time to see your provider. Guessing what the problem may be and trying to manage it at home can make it worse or delay proper treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silvestrin also recommends being mindful of the products you use in or near the vagina. If you use lubricants or moisturizers, which can help with vaginal dryness, stick with water-based rather than oil-based products.<\/p>\n

As for sprays, douches, lotions, wipes and similar items, often marketed as \u201cfeminine hygiene products,\u201d you are likely better off leaving them on the shelf. They may contain harsh ingredients that disrupt the pH of the vagina, causing itchiness and irritation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are bombarded with ad messaging that says you need this product or that product to keep the vaginal area fresh,\u201d Silvestrin says. \u201cDon\u2019t buy into the hype. All that\u2019s needed for cleanliness is regular showering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silvestrin also recommends:<\/p>\n