Vaginal health is a keystone of femaleness. Vaginal dysfunction, manifested in vaginal discomforts (vaginal dryness, vaginal itch, vaginal soreness, vulvar itch, vulvar pain, vestibular pain), sexual discomfort (dyspareunia, pain during and after sexual intercourse, loss of sex drive) and urinary discomforts (urinary urgency, urinary frequency, urethral pain) occurs in most women at some point in life.

Majority of women suffer from conditions when the vagina gradually loses its function and integrity. These conditions include the months following giving birth, especially when breastfed child, when receive anti-estrogen treatment, after major vaginal surgery, and when you approach the menopause.

Vaginal dysfunction in women is grouped into different disorders: sexual pain, problems with desire, arousal problems, and orgasm difficulty. Changes in hormone levels, medical conditions, and other factors.

Causes of Vaginal Dysfunctions
There are several types of Vaginal dysfunctions. They can be lifelong problems that have always been present, acquired problems that develop after a period of normal sexual function or situational problems that develop only under certain circumstances or with certain partners. Causes of Vaginal dysfunctions can be psychological, physical or related to interpersonal relationships or sociocultural influences.

Psychological causes can include:

• Stress from work or family responsibilities
• Depression/anxiety
• unresolved sexual orientation issues
• previous traumatic sexual or physical experience
• body image and self-esteem problems

Physical causes can include:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• kidney disease
• Pelvic Surgery
• pelvic injury or trauma
• Neurological disorders
• Medication side effects
• Hormonal changes, including those related to pregnancy and menopause
• Throid disease
• alcohol or drug abuse
• Fatigue

Problems with Vaginal dysfunction are :

Sexual Discomforts

Specifically, sexual dysfunction in women may be due to:

• Vaginal dryness.This can lead to low libido and problems with arousal and desire, as sex can be painful when the vagina isn’t properly lubricated. Vaginal dryness can result from hormonal changes that occur during and after menopause or while breastfeeding, for example. Psychological issues, like anxiety about sex, can also cause vaginal dryness. And anticipation of painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness may, in turn, decrease a woman’s desire for sex.

• Low libido.Lack of sexual desire can also be caused by lower levels of the hormone estrogen. Fatigue, depression, and anxiety can also lead to low libido, as can certain medications, including some antidepressants.
• Difficulty achieving orgasm.Orgasm disorders, such as delayed orgasms or inability to have one at all, can affect both men and women. Again, some antidepressant medications can also cause these problems.
• Pain during sex.Pain is sometimes from a known cause, such as vaginal dryness or endometriosis. But sometimes the cause of painful sex is elusive. Known as vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis. A burning sensation may accompany pain during sex.

Urinary Discomforts

Lower urinary tract symptoms affects a good number of adult women. Urgency of urine, having to pee many times a day, feeling sting or pain at peeing, and constant indistinct soreness at the pee hole are distressing complaints encountered. Together with the involuntary leakage of urine (or urinary incontinence), these women struggle to control the inconveniences on a regular basis, and to contain the embarrassment.

If you are experiencing any such vaginal dysfunction, bring up your concerns and discuss with Mrs. Sarah Husain for better and suitable solution & treatments!

Uterine polyps are soft red outgrowths attached to the inner wall of the uterus that extend into the uterine cavity. Overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) leads to the formation of uterine polyps, also known as endometrial polyps.

The reason for the cause of Uterine Polyps is swings in hormone levels . Estrogen, which plays a role in causing the endometrium to thicken each month, also appears to be linked to the growth of uterine polyps.

Uterine polyps are more likely to develop in women who are between 40 and 50 years old than in younger women. Uterine polyps can occur after menopause but rarely occur in women under 20 years old.

Symptoms

Many women who have uterine polyps have following symptoms
• Irregular menstrual bleeding, such as bleeding varying amounts at frequent but unpredictable intervals
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Excessively heavy menstrual periods
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Infertility

Risk factors for Uterine polyps

Factors that may increase your risk of developing Uterine polyps include:
• Obesity
• Use of tamoxifen, a drug therapy for breast cancer
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cervical Polyps
• Being perimenopausal or postmenopausal
How Uterine Polyps and Infertility are connected?
When a woman is infertile and has no symptoms of uterine polyps, the chance that she has asymptomatic polyps is between 3% to 5. If she’s experiencing abnormal bleeding, it’s more likely that polyps are present.

Uterine polyps can act like a natural intrauterine device, preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. They can also block the area where the fallopian tube connects to the uterine cavity, preventing sperm from traveling into the tube to meet the egg. Similarly, they can block the canal of the cervix, which would prevent sperm from entering the uterus at all. Uterine Polyps may also play a role in miscarriage for some women.

There is no way to prevent uterine polyps. It’s important to have regular gynaecological check-ups. If you are experiencing any such problems , immediately take an appointment with Mrs. Sarah Husain who is Specialist in Uterine polyps diagnosis..

PCOD is  known as the Stein-Leventhal Syndrome . This is a complex condition in which a woman’s ovaries are generally bigger than average. Polycystic means the ovaries have many cysts or follicles that rarely grow to maturity or produce eggs capable of being fertilised. It is a hormonal imbalance characterized by high levels of androgens (ie, male hormones such as testosterone) from the ovaries and is associated with insulin resistance

It is relatively common, especially in infertile women. It affects 12 to 18 per cent of women of reproductive age (between late adolescence and menopause). Almost 70 per cent of these cases remain undiagnosed.

The overproduction of androgens in women causes

• Irregular menstrual cycles – menstruation may be less or more frequent due to less frequent ovulation (production of an egg)
• Amenorrhoea (no periods) – some women with PCOS do not menstruate, in some cases for many years
• Excessive hair growth and acne – possibly due to increased free testosterone
• Scalp hair loss
• Reduced fertility – (difficulty in becoming pregnant) related to less frequent or absent ovulation
• Mood changes – including anxiety and depression

Although there is no known cure for PCOS yet, following a few simple guidelines and bringing about a few changes in the lifestyle can help a lot in managing PCOS symptoms naturally.

• Consume whole grains instead of processed and refined foods and whole fruits instead of fruit juices in order to maintain blood glucose and insulin levels.
• Eating foods rich in fiber also lead to a slower, consistent and controlled rise in blood sugar and insulin levels
• Some healthy fiber rich foods are legumes and vegetables that also provide necessary nutrients for the body.
• Combine proteins and carbohydrates together because proteins help to regulate the blood glucose spike caused by carbohydrates consumption.
• Eat regularly but not too frequently. Divide your foods into 3 to 4 meals and eat them every 4 to 5 hours in order to improve insulin sensitivity and prevent cravings for unhealthy snacks. Also, never ever skip breakfast.
• Limit salt intake to less than 2400 milligrams per day. Use other seasonings such as lemon juice, vinegar, pepper, herbs, mustard and spices instead.
• Limit the intake of processed foods such as cured meats, smoked meats, salted nuts, canned vegetables, sauces, chips and marinades.
• Give up regular cooking oil and choose unsaturated oils such as olive oil and corn oil.
• Snack on healthy nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds and flax seeds that are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
• Eat 2 to 3 servings of fish every week in order to load up on essential fatty acids that are beneficial for controlling PCOS symptoms.

• Choose healthy cooking options such as baking, grilling, broiling, boiling and steaming instead of deep frying.
• Eat protein with every meal because proteins have a stabilizing effect on sugar that is released by the carbohydrates.
• Avoid sugar in all forms – refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup and even artificial sweeteners.
• Drink 2 litres of water every day. You can add some tasty twist to your water by adding fresh cucumber, mint, berries or lemons to it.
• In order to promote healthy weight loss of 1 pound per week you can reduce 500 calories from your present maintenance calorie level and in order to reduce 2 pounds per week reduce 1000 calories from your daily maintenance calorie level.
• Women with PCOS are at much higher risk of heart diseases and diabetes, so it is best not to aggravate the risk further by smoking.
• Have enough sleep every night because a lack of sleep can affect hormones and worsen the symptoms and problems.
• Stay physically active and make exercise a part of your healthy lifestyle. Just like diet, exercise also plays a vital role in improving PCOS symptoms because it is a great way to enhance insulin sensitivity and restore the balance of the reproductive hormones. In addition, exercises also help in weight management and promoting weight loss.
• A combination of aerobic exercises for 30 minutes along with some strength training is the best option.
• Keep a track of your periods and make it a point to consult your doctor if you are missing your periods consistently for several months or if there is a gap of more than 40 to 50 days between two periods. The absence of regular periods increases the risk of endometrial cancer.

Are you Suffering from PCOS ? Then immediately Contact Specialist Sarah Hussain who can advise you about what treatment best suits you for healthy lifestyle.

Pregnancy is the time when woman’s body experiences great physical and emotional changes. A woman’s body undergoes many transformations during the nine months of pregnancy. Some of these physical changes are visible, such as an expanding belly and weight gain, while others are well known, such as an enlarged uterus, morning sickness and backaches. 

Some of the Symptoms  during pregnancy :

• Persistent or unusual headaches
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Light-headedness
• Disturbances of eyesight
• Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen
• Contractions
• Vaginal bleeding
• Leakage of amniotic fluid (described as “the water breaks”)
• Swelling of the hands or feet
• Decreased urine production
• Any illness or infection
• Tremor (shaking of the hands, feet, or both)
• Seizures
• Rapid heart rate
• Decreased movement of the fetus

The hormonal and physiologic changes during pregnancy are unique in the life of women.

 Estrogen

A woman will produce more estrogen during pregnancy than throughout her entire life in the absence of pregnancy. The increase in estrogen during pregnancy enables the uterus and placenta to improve vascularization, transfer nutrients, and support the developing baby. In addition, estrogen is thought to play an important role in helping the foetus develop and mature.

Progesterone

Progesterone levels also are extraordinarily high during pregnancy. The changes in progesterone cause a laxity or loosening of ligaments and joints throughout the body. In addition, high levels of progesterone cause internal structures to increase in size, such as the ureters (which connect the kidneys with the maternal bladder). Progesterone also is important for transforming the uterus from the size of a small pear in its non-pregnant state to a uterus that can accommodate a full-term baby.

Weight Gain

Weight gain in pregnant women increases the workload on the body from any physical activity. This additional weight and gravity slow down the circulation of blood and body fluids, particularly in the lower limbs.

Hair and nails

A woman may have good hairs during pregnancy as estrogen increases the length of the growing phase of hair follicles often resulting in a thicker and healthier looking head of hair

Breast Changes

Pregnant women’s breasts often undergo a series of significant changes during pregnancy as their bodies prepare to supply milk to the newborn baby. Breasts may feel more full and tender during  pregnant, and her nipples may also be more sensitive to the touch

Body temperature

Women will tend to feel warmer and sweat a lot during pregnancy due to an increased metabolic rate and increased sweat gland activity

Heart and blood flow

During pregnancy, the woman’s heart must work harder because as the foetus grows, the heart must pump more blood to the uterus. By the end of pregnancy, the uterus is receiving one fifth of the woman’s pre-pregnancy blood supply. During pregnancy, the amount of blood pumped by the heart (cardiac output) increases by 30 to 50%.

Skin

Skin Changes are very common during pregnancy, Mask of pregnancy (melasma) is a blotchy, brownish pigment that may appear on the skin of the forehead and cheeks. The skin surrounding the nipples (areolae) may also darken. A dark line commonly appears down the middle of the abdomen. These changes may occur because the placenta produces a hormone that stimulates melanocytes, the cells that make a dark brown skin pigment (melanin).

Respiratory tract

The high level of progesterone , a hormone produced continuously during pregnancy, signals the brain to lower the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. As a result, a pregnant woman breathes slightly faster and more deeply to exhale more carbon dioxide and keep the carbon dioxide level low.

Urinary tract

Like the heart, the kidneys work harder throughout pregnancy. They filter the increasing volume of blood. The volume of blood filtered by the kidneys reaches a maximum between 16 and 24 weeks and remains at the maximum until just before the baby is due.

Joints and muscles

The joints and ligaments (fibrous cords and cartilage that connect bones) in the woman’s pelvis loosen and become more flexible. This change helps make room for the enlarging uterus and prepare the woman for delivery of the baby.

Backache

Backache in varying degrees is common because the spine curves more to balance the weight of the enlarging uterus.

 Digestive tract

Nausea and vomiting, particularly in the mornings (morning sickness), are common. They may be caused by the high levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin, two hormones that help maintain the pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting may be relieved by changing the diet or patterns of eating.

Cervical Changes

The cervix, or the entry to the uterus, undergoes physical changes during pregnancy and labor. In many women, the tissue of the cervix thickens and becomes firm and glandular, and the cervix produces a thick mucus plug to seal off the uterus. The plug is often expelled in late pregnancy or during delivery

Taste and Smell Changes

Most women experience changes in their sense of taste during pregnancy, preferring saltier foods and sweeter foods than non-pregnant women and having a higher threshold for strong sour, salty, and sweet tastes. Dysgeusia, a decrease in the ability to taste, is most commonly experienced

Dizziness and Fainting

Another form of dizziness can result from lying flat on the back. This dizziness is more common after 24 weeks, but can happen earlier during multi-fetal pregnancies or conditions that increase amniotic fluid.

 Metabolic rates

Metabolic rates increase substantially by just 15 weeks gestation . This increased metabolic rate may put pregnant women at a higher risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

Overactive bladder, sometimes known as urge incontinence, is a problem that results in a sudden urge to urinate and potentially incontinence as well. There are a number of factors that are known to affect this condition. It is possible for certain foods to worsen this condition, potentially irritating the bladder or the urinary tract and exacerbating symptoms. The effects of various foods on overactive bladder vary from person to person.

Certain foods and drinks can trigger this reaction more easily than others, for a variety of reasons. See below for the foodstuffs that are best to sidestep.

Tomato Products    

•  Tomatoes are an acidic food that can potentially irritate the bladder and worsen OAB symptoms. Those who are particularly sensitive should also cut out tomato products, such as pasta or pizza sauce, ketchup, and salsa

Coffee and Tea

• The culprit in coffee and tea is caffeine. It can increase bladder activity, and may result in exacerbated Symptoms, including higher urgency and frequency, as well as increased incontinence. Reducing or eliminating caffeine intake, or switching to decaffeinated varieties, may result in decreased symptoms.

Chocolate

•  Like coffee and tea, a serving of chocolate also contains some caffeine (about ¼ that found in a cup of coffee). White chocolate usually has no caffeine

Cranberry juice

• Cranberry juice helps fight off bladder infections, but it can be a culprit in worsening overactive bladder symptoms.The berries’ acidity can irritate the bladder, and although its diuretic action helps flush out the bladder and urethra, it will also make you go more frequently.

Oranges, Limes, and Lemons

•  Like tomatoes, citrus fruits—such as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits—contain high amounts of citric acid, which can worsen bladder control Fruits should still be part of your healthy diet, so try less acidic varieties such as apples or bananas.

Alcoholic Beverages

•  Along with chocolate and coffee, add adult beverages—beer, wine, and liquor—to the list of vices you may want to limit if you have an overactive bladder. Alcohol can irritate the bladder and affect the signals to the brain that make you aware of bladder overflow.

Carbonated Beverages

•  The “fizz” in carbonated beverages—such as soft drinks, soda water, and energy drinks—can potentially aggravate OAB symptoms (Shaw, 2011). Drinks with both carbonation and caffeine may be extra trouble—as is champagne, which has carbonation and bladder-stimulating alcohol.

Spicy Foods

• Hot and spicy foods can make your mouth burn, it is thought they can irritate the bladder lining and worsen symptoms.

Sweeteners

•  Both artificial and natural sweeteners can increase bladder symptoms.

Processed Foods

•  Processed foods contain a lot of artificial ingredients—flavoring, preservatives, etc.—that can irritate the bladder and worsen the symptoms of OAB. A healthy and balanced diet should be consists of natural and fresh foods, such as vegetables and whole grains.

Onions

•  Like spicy and acidic foods, Onions can cause bladder problems and increase the urge to urinate. Raw onions are the main culprits, so cooking them before you eat them could reduce the adverse effect they may have on the bladder.

 

If you have any Bladder related problems then immediately take an appointment with Dr. Sarah Hussain who is specialist in providing best solutions for Uro-Gynaecology problems.