What Is Considered a High-Risk Pregnancy?
Being pregnant means a lot of changes in your body over a nine month period. It always comes with some level of risk but when does a pregnancy become high risk, and what can be done about it?
5 Vaginal Conditions That Can Adversely Affect Your Quality of Life
So maybe your doctor gave you an antibiotic and all of a sudden, you’ve started itching, well, “down there.” Maybe sex has become irritating or even painful. Maybe you’ve started leaking when you sneeze, cough, or even laugh out loud. Many women would rather ignore these symptoms or believe that they just have to live with them rather than discuss them with a doctor. But your vaginal health is just that: your health.
The truth is, you don’t have to live with pain or irritation. You don’t have to live with the embarrassment. Dr. McHale at New Beginnings in Las Vegas can help you get to the bottom of your symptoms and find solutions that can get you back to your busy life.
1. Yeast infections
Almost every woman has had or will have a yeast infection in her life. They are caused by a sudden growth of Candida, a microscopic fungus. Many women have small amounts of Candida most of the time. But under certain conditions, the fungus reproduces and can lead to an infection.
Yeast infections can be very uncomfortable. Some of the first symptoms might be some itching near the opening of the vagina. As the infection progresses, it can lead to deep itching in the vagina itself, thick white discharge, and even painful sex.
If you have recently started taking an antibiotic, it can change the normal healthy balance of your vagina, leading to the overgrowth. But other factors can create proper conditions as well, such as high blood sugar and the presence of sexually transmitted bacteria. So, it’s important to see Dr. McHale to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Like a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis occurs when the regular bacterial balance is upset. In this case, bacteria begin to break down the normal lactobacilli that live in a healthy vagina.
Unlike a yeast infection, itching may not be the first symptom. In this case, the vaginal discharge is thin and grey. There is also a lot of discharge, especially after intercourse or during menstruation. It may smell bad. Like fish.
While there is no specific cause, BV is more common among women with an IUD, or when a woman is exposed to several sexual partners. Dr. McHale will need to take a sample of the discharge to make a diagnosis. Then, they can treat the issue with antibiotics.
3. Vaginal dryness
A woman’s body is designed to keep the vaginal area moist. When that moisture wicks away, it can lead to a wide range of issues, from minor discomfort to an aversion to sex.
Vaginal dryness has a wide range of causes. It might be the result of a hormonal imbalance or even the natural consequence of menopause. But it might also be due to a change in medication or a hidden medical condition.
It’s important to talk to your doctor when experiencing vaginal dryness, regardless of your age. There are solutions that Dr. McHale can offer that will not only make you feel better, but can repair the underlying cause.
4. Mycoplasma and ureaplasma
These organisms are found in many men and women and can be passed from one to the other through sexual contact. However, they can also be passed on to a child during birth and can live in the body with no sign of infection.
However, when conditions are right, the bacteria can colonize and create many different problems that range from urinary tract infection to pelvic inflammatory disease and can even lead to miscarriage or infertility.
But the good news is, it doesn’t have to. These bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. However, it is vital that you discuss your symptoms with Dr. McHale. Together, you can come up with a treatment plan that covers not only you but your sexual partner as well to prevent re-infection.
5. Vulvo vaginal atrophy
As many as 32 million women live with vaginal atrophy. It affects post-menopausal women whose estrogen levels have dropped. When this happens, the vagina loses strength and the cervix can begin to drop into the vaginal opening. In addition, the walls of the vagina lie between the urethra and the rectum. So when the walls of the vagina weaken, it can allow the urethra and even the rectum to shift into the vaginal cavity, leading to everything from minor “leakage” to complete incontinence.
But Dr. McHale can help you. There are treatments that range from estrogen creams to pelvic floor exercises to laser treatments that can strengthen the vaginal walls and protect your delicate tissue.
Understand that if left untreated, any of these symptoms can seriously affect your quality of life. Keeping your vagina healthy not only protects your sex life, but it also protects your comfort, your fertility, and even your elimination health.
So, protect yourself. Contact our office for an appointment, either online or by calling 702-381-5184. Dr. McHale has been helping women in the Las Vegas area have better health and a better quality of life.
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