7 Things Your OB/GYN Wants You to Know
Doctors dish on sex, periods, and more.
"Many women see only a gynecologist. In fact, I've had friends pipe up while I was talking about my own primary care doctor and say, 'You have a PCP?' I tell them everyone should, and here's why: Few gynecologists can spend as much time with their patients as other doctors-they might have only five to 10 minutes in the room, while PCPs carve out 30 to 45 minutes to do a more thorough check of your overall health. So, while it's important to mention anything that's bothering you, if you see only an OB/GYN, there's always a chance she'll miss something. That might be fine in your 20s, but once you're in your 40s and at greater risk of a major medical problem, you need someone who can watch out for you. Most gynecologists are thinking vagina, vulva, breasts-not heart, liver, lungs." -Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center
"Not long ago a friend said, 'Every month, I have terrible diarrhea around my period, and I'm sick of it. What can I do?' I told her it's basic physiology: A day or two before your period, your uterus releases a chemical called prostaglandin, which causes contractions that help your body expel the accumulated uterine lining. Some prostaglandin enters the bloodstream and makes its way to your large intestine and bowels, making them contract too. That's what causes the runs. You can try avoiding caffeine and greasy foods and gradually increasing your fiber intake, but even that may not be enough to slow things down. Instead, I suggested that my friend take Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen sodium) at the first sign of period symptoms, long before the diarrhea sets in. These two drugs are prostaglandin- synthesis inhibitors; in other words, they stop your body from producing the compound before it can make you sick. That also means fewer cramps!" -Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT
RELATED: 9 Things Your Gynecologist Wants You to Stop Doing Now
"Lubricant is so underutilized. Women think they shouldn't need it if they're aroused, but vaginal dryness can be caused by low estrogen, medications such as antihistamines, and medical disorders like diabetes and heart disease. You don't even have to buy it in person: I tell women to shop for lubricant on Amazon. Silicone lubricants tend to be less sticky and longer-lasting than water-based lubes, which also often contain glycerin, an ingredient that has been linked to yeast infections in women who are prone to them. If you're trying to conceive, make sure you're using a sperm-friendly lubricant like Pre-Seed to optimize fertility. Many women also benefit from a vaginal moisturizer, such as Replens or Lubrigyn. You apply it regularly instead of just during sex, to keep the area moist and elastic." -Alyssa Dweck, M.D., assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and coauthor of The Complete A to Z for Your V
"I've had friends who were quick to blame stress for their irregular periods, and I had to tell them that while stress can affect your cycle, it's likely not the culprit. It takes a major life event-the death of a loved one, a divorce-to throw a wrench in things. When that happens, your pituitary gland tells your adrenal gland to crank out more cortisol, which throws off the balance of hormones from your ovaries. At that point, your body goes into survival mode: It shuts down unnecessary functions, like reproduction, and redirects all its energy to dealing with that stress. Your libido will even drop so you're not tempted to get pregnant when you're not prepared to care for a child. It's pretty cool, when you think about it. But no, your crappy commute and annoying mother-in-law aren't enough to make that happen. If you're worried about your period, talk to your doctor." -Diana Bitner, M.D., board- certified obstetrician-gynecologist at Spectrum Health Medical Group in Grand Rapids, MI, and author of I Want to Age Like That
"Every time I go home, my mom's friends swarm me with questions about menopause. One of the most common complaints is vaginal dryness and pain-sex hurts, and even a pelvic exam can be uncomfortable. As women reach perimenopause and menopause, they lose estrogen, which causes the vaginal tissue to become dry and thin. This happens during prolonged breast-feeding too-a friend once called me, worried that she'd have to choose between nursing and sex. In both cases, your OB/GYN can prescribe a vaginal estrogen cream, which relieves dryness, making sex more comfortable. And just having sex helps keep the vagina from narrowing after menopause, so don't let anything stop you from that!" -Leah Millheiser, M.D., director of the female sexual medicine program and clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Stanford University School of Medicine
RELATED: The 10 Most Cringeworthy Things That Have Ever Happened At the Gynecologist's Office
"My friends often talk to me about their sex lives, usually after we've had a couple of martinis. Some have asked about pain during deep penetration or spotting after sex, and I always tell them they need to get checked. Women talk about spotting so casually-I've had patients say, 'I've seen a few drops of blood, but only after really athletic sex.' The truth is, you shouldn't see blood at all. Though it can be related to dryness, sometimes it turns out to be something more serious: I'll see a change in the patient's Pap smear or find a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia. Pain and bleeding can point to any number of things-even fibroids and ovarian cysts and tumors. So please don't assume that it's normal or that you're just growing older. Make an appointment." -Dr. Hutcherson
"The vagina is a lot like a self-cleaning oven. It has its own natural mechanisms to keep the tissue healthy and pH- balanced. In fact, aggressive scrubbing with harsh or overly fragrant products upsets the delicate balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina. I recommend a gentle soap like Dove or Ivory for the outside only, and plain water on the more delicate mucous membranes inside. Yeast and bacteria thrive in damp, dark environments-and not in a good way. So if you're prone to infection or irritation, here's a helpful hint: Try aiming your blow-dryer down there on a low, cool setting after you shower." -Dr. Dweck
RELATED: 5 Weird Signs That You Should See a Doctor
Additional reporting by Stacia Affelt, Bethany Gumper, and Stephanie Wood
Doctors dish on sex, periods, and more.
Doctors dish on sex, periods, and more.
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