Sexual Health

There are many different types of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Symptoms of an STI can include itching, vaginal discharge, spotting, redness, swollen lymph nodes or severe pain.

According to the Journal of Sexual Medicine, about one-third of women report having pain during sex, which can include discomfort in the vaginal or pelvic muscles, external genitals, bladders or tailbone, however, only about 25 percent will actually talk to their doctor about this issue.

At some point, most women have faced a health issue that they don’t feel comfortable discussing with friends or even doctors. They might be embarrassed or just unsure if it’s something that can even be treated. Read on for information that can help you feel confident to discuss issues with your caregiver.

If you are struggling with an abusive relationship – whether the abuse is emotional, physical or both – the first thing to know is that it is not your fault that you are being mistreated. Like everyone else, you deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. In addition to physical abuse, emotional abuse can take the form of criticizing or blaming, public and private humiliation, controlling behavior and threats.

Vaginitis is a broad term that refers to an infection or inflammation of the vagina. If you’re experiencing itching, burning during urination, discharge with unusual odor or discomfort during sex, you may have vaginitis. Yeast infections, for example, are one type of vaginitis. The causes of vaginitis vary, including an imbalance in vaginal bacteria, a viral infection, reduced estrogen levels after menopause, irritation from lotions or clothing, sexual contact or another type of infection.

Valentine’s Day and a low libido are not an ideal duo. Loss of desire peaks between the ages of 35 and 64, according to WebMD, particularly before and after menopause. Libido can dip due to hormonal changes, stress or lack of sleep, loss of
confidence and a host of other reasons, but it does not have to be a permanent change.