Visits to the gynaecologist can be awkward, and your number one goal may be to get out of their office ASAP. But if you bolt, you’ll miss a golden opportunity to get reliable information from an expert on how to stay healthy down there. We spoke to Dr Lee Keen Whye from the KW Lee Clinic & Surgery For Women, who has pretty much heard everything before, and asked him all those burning questions that you may be too embarrassed to ask anyone else:
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Yes, finding stains or some discharge on your panties at the end of the day is normal.
Stains on panties sometimes can be due to:
a) Perspiration
b) Premenstrual
c) Mid-cycle
d) Just after a period
e) Post coital
If there is a ‘funny’ or foul smelling odour, then try taking a shower and changing your panties. If the odour persists, a doctor’s advice should be sought.
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The most common cause of itch in the vagina is a fungal discharge. The other common cause is a parasitic infection called trichromoniasis. History taking, clinic and laboratory examination will be able to tell whether the infection is spontaneous or sexually transmitted.
Nipples can be tender premenstrual, in puberty and early stage of pregnancy. If they are tender all the time, you should seek medical advice.
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The best birth control option is the method that is most suitable for the couple. The choice will also depend on the compliance of the couple and whether they want it temporarily or permanent. An individual’s lifestyle leads to individual choices. For example, ladies who are in the aircrew industry may find it more suitable to have a intrauterine device or IUD (e.g. Mirena or Jaydess) which they wear for 3 to 5 years regardless of day or night and timezone, whereas, a young lady may find using the oral pill for 6 months to a year before having a baby more suitable.
Inserting an IUD (e.g. Mirena or Jaydess) is usually done in an outpatient clinic setting. The discomfort or uterine cramp is usually mild and tolerable. It also depends on how relaxed the patient is. Occasionally, some form of pain relief or sedation is needed.
The pill is generally safe and does not cause breast cancer, otherwise, it would be barred. However, individuals with breast cancer or have a strong family history of breast cancer should avoid the pill because they may increase their chances of contracting the disease due to existing genetic or hormonal receptors.
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Sex should be pleasurable and not hurt. Common causes of ‘pain’ during sexual intercourse are:
a) Not enough foreplay, stimulation, and lubrication of the genitalia
b) Endometriosis
c) Vaginal infection
d) Vaginismus – an involuntary spasm or tightening of the vaginal muscles. Hence penetration of the vagina is not possible.
Most women need about 20 minutes of arousal time to reach the ‘orgasmic platform’ when the clitoris is most sensitive and the body is primed for stimulation. Skipping the whole sexual-response cycle makes it harder to have an orgasm.
Mood is generally a mental state. Stress, anxiety, depression or preoccupation with work can result in a loss of mood for sex. Medical help may be needed to rule out any illnesses.
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