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Women's Sexual Health Archive
Articles
Laser therapy can counter vaginal symptoms of menopause
Understanding and treating pelvic organ prolapse
This common problem is often ignored or misunderstood.
Roughly half of women over age 50 have pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which the uterus, bladder, small intestine, or rectum bulges into the vaginal wall or drops down through the vagina. But unlike with other common health conditions, many women don't talk about it — even with their doctors. For some, this may stem from embarrassment, but in other instances, it's because they think it's just something they need to deal with as they age.
"Women will say to me, 'I thought this was normal because I had kids.' But it's not normal. Not everyone who has had a vaginal delivery or is over 65 has urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse," says Dr. Emily Von Bargen, a Harvard Medical School instructor in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. Pelvic organ prolapse is treatable, and it's not something women have to live with, says Von Bargen.
Affairs of the heart
Cardiovascular problems can conspire to put a damper on sexual enjoyment. Talking to your doctor and your partner can help.
A physical connection with your romantic partner is often an important part of a fulfilling relationship. But when it comes to matters of the heart, the health of your heart matters.
"A satisfying sex life depends on physical health, psychological well-being, and the quality of the relationship," says Dr. Jan Shifren, who directs the Massachusetts General Hospital Midlife Women's Health Center. Heart disease and related conditions can influence all three of those factors in both men and women. Here's a look at the range of those effects and some possible solutions.
Probiotic may help prevent recurrences of bacterial vaginosis
Research we're watching
If you've ever experienced a bout of bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection that affects anywhere from 15% to 50% of reproductive-age women, a study published May 14, 2020, in The New England Journal of Medicine may be of interest. It found that women who inserted a type of probiotic called Lactobacillus crispatus (Lactin-V) in their vagina twice per week were less likely to have a recurrence of bacterial vaginosis than women who did not. Experts don't fully understand what causes bacterial vaginosis, but it is associated with an overgrowth of some microorganisms (such as Gardnerella vaginalis or Prevotella), which outnumber healthier types of vaginal bacteria, including a common one called Lactobacillus. In many cases, the condition will recur after treatment. All of the 228 women in the study were initially treated for bacterial vaginosis with the standard topical antibiotic metronidazole (MetroGel Vaginal). But after that treatment, 152 of the women were assigned to use Lactin-V for an additional 11 weeks. The remainder of the group got a placebo treatment. Researchers found that only 30% of the Lactin-V group had a recurrence of bacterial vaginosis by week 12, compared with 45% of the placebo group.
Image: © spukkato/Getty Images
Can certain exercises worsen my pelvic organ prolapse?
Ask the doctors
Q. I have pelvic organ prolapse and I want to start working out. Are there exercises I should avoid?
A. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common problem, caused by a weakening of the bowl-shaped group of muscles and tissues that supports your pelvic organs. As this support fails, one or more of these organs — such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum — can shift out of place, typically pushing into (and sometimes protruding out of) the vagina.
Did my partner get her bladder infection from me?
On call
Q. If a woman develops a bladder infection after sex, does that mean her male partner passed bacteria from his bladder to hers?
A. No, bacteria that cause bladder infections are not passed from one sexual partner to another. To begin with, here's a little background on female bladder infections.
Sexual and gender minorities face unique health risks
Memory problems and confusion are just the newest in a list of health problems that appear to disproportionately affect LGBT individuals.
Past research has shown that sexual and gender minority groups may be at higher risk for certain health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. A new study suggests that another condition — dementia — may also be on that list. Findings presented at the 2019 Alzheimer's Association International Conference showed that people who identified as a sexual or gender minority were more likely than other people to report worsening memory or increased confusion over the past year.
It's possible that some of the same underlying factors that affect risk of other diseases are playing a role in these reported cognitive changes as well, says Dr. Ole-Petter R. Hamnvik, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Almost any health outcome that you look at, you can find disparities in these groups. It's not just dementia," he says.
Women with post-traumatic stress disorder may be at higher risk for ovarian cancer
Research we're watching
Could a traumatic experience raise the risk of ovarian cancer? Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Moffitt Cancer Center found that women who remembered experiencing six or more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had double the risk of later developing ovarian cancer, compared with women who had not reported PTSD symptoms. They were also more likely to develop a more aggressive form of the cancer. The researchers looked at data from more than 50,000 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study II. Early in the study, women were asked to identify their most stressful life experience and any PTSD symptoms they had experienced following that event. Researchers then looked to see which of the women went on to develop ovarian cancer. The study, published Sept. 5 in Cancer Research, found higher cancer risk persisted even if a woman's PTSD symptoms had occurred decades in the past. Past animal research suggests that stress hormones may spur tumor growth.
Image: martinedoucet/Getty Images
What is a submucosal uterine fibroid?
Ask the doctors
Q. I was recently diagnosed with a uterine fibroid. My doctor told me that the type I have is called a submucosal fibroid. What does this mean?
A. Uterine fibroids are common, affecting some 70% or more women. Doctors describe fibroids based on where in the uterus they are growing. There are three main types:
How can I prevent recurrent UTIs?
Ask the doctors
Q. I am 89 years old, and several months ago I was plagued by frequent urinary tract infections. The infections were treated, but is there anything I can do to avoid experiencing this problem again?
A. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common infections that can occur when urine pools in the bladder and bacteria start to grow. These infections can be more common in older women for several reasons, including thinning of vaginal tissue, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, or difficulty with emptying the bladder completely. In addition, estrogen helps to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the vagina, which can protect against UTIs. But this natural protection may wane when estrogen levels drop after menopause. One of the best ways to prevent UTIs is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This flushes out potentially harmful bacteria before it can cause a problem. You'll know you are drinking enough if your urine looks clear or light yellow. Some other strategies include fully emptying your bladder when urinating, urinating after sexual intercourse, and wiping from front to back after using the toilet. Also talk to your doctor about replacing estrogen in the vagina with a cream, tablet, or vaginal insert. Your doctor may also want to examine you for pelvic organ prolapse.
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