Best of Gyno Issues
GYNO Issues was introduced as a way of providing answers for questions women had that they were scared to raise even with their doctors. Here are some highlights.
The truth behind those iffy vaginal tightening methods
While many doctors will recommend Kegel exercises (rhythmic tightening of the vaginal muscles) as the natural way around the problem, the emergence of products like alum, the use of blue soap and other questionable items being sold show that women may be opting for quicker methods to that laborious one being offered through medical advice in the Kegel.
The alternatives being offered on the streets include tightening gels, creams, oral tablets and insertable tablets. But gynaecologist Dr Horace Fletcher said that none of the above methods have proven efficacy, some of them may even be harmful. He noted that the popular alum has been proven to cause violent scarring of the vagina and only makes the vagina appear to be tighter. In essence, he said, it only damages it.
Be careful about abusing morning after pill
This pill, according to recommendations, should be taken no later than 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse and users should have no more than two doses in any cycle to ensure effectiveness and possibly prevent pregnancy. It is actually an emergency contraceptive to be used, for example, only when your regular contraceptive method may have failed – for example, if the condom bursts.
Can you catch an infection from sharing a toilet seat?
According to gynaecologist Professor Horace Fletcher, some infections and infestations can be transmitted from dirty toilet seats.
“Notably among them are Trichomoniasis (a vaginal infection) which can exist in body fluids on toilet seats or damp bath rags and in swimming pool water,” he said. “Worms or worm eggs can also be transmitted by contact with dirty bathroom fixtures – these are transmitted hand to mouth usually, so wash your hands when using public toilets. Lice such as crab lice are also easily caught in this way.”
Birth control myths debunked
1. Douching the vagina washes away sperm. Some women believe that sperm can be rinsed from the vagina after intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Others urinate or take a bath in hope that the sperm will be washed away, some even use solutions like cola beverages. These methods will not completely eliminate sperm, however, and so chances of becoming pregnant are great. This is because after ejaculation, the sperm enters the cervix and is therefore out of reach of any douching solutions.
2. Selected positions during sex prevents pregnancy. A few persons share the view that you cannot get pregnant if sex is performed standing up or if the woman is on top during intercourse. It is believed that the sperm will be forced out of the vagina this way. The fact of the matter is that sexual positions have nothing to do with the ability to become pregnant.
Do sperm have health benefits?
Men, often in an attempt at being cunning, boast about how precious their ejaculate is, some even going to lengths to preach the health benefits of it.
So is semen a natural source of proteins, vitamins, minerals or the like? And does semen help at all in any beauty regimen?
“Semen is good for one thing and one thing only and that is to impregnate the woman,” gynaelocologist Professor Horace Fletcher said. “A woman would have to drink a glassful to get the protein from it.”
Dr Fletcher also quashed the idea that semen can remove acne and give clear healthy skin if used in facials.
