Health-Next

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as the name suggests is a condition where multiple small cysts develop in the ovaries of a woman. It is a hormonal imbalance usually evident in women of reproductive age. The syndrome is a serious issue as it can deprive a woman of her child bearing capabilities. Till date, the exact cause for the problem is not clear, but insulin resistance is considered to be one of the major causes for this condition.

The symptoms

All victims will not face similar kinds of symptoms. The symptoms keep varying from person to person. The most common of the symptoms experienced by women with PCOS include irregular period, very less or excessive flow during period, feelings of pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, sudden growth of excess facial or chest hair, development of extra skin flaps in the armpit and neck area, male pattern baldness, heart and liver problems, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and other problems.

The cure

Seek the help of your doctor. It is also good to strive towards getting rid of the symptoms. So eat food that is not rich in carbohydrates, calories and saturated or trans-fats. Substitute sugar with honey if you have to. Do not forget to exercise well. Make sure you include in your diet food and herbs that help you lose excess weight and regularise your periods.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Ovaries for a woman are the means to have a baby, so these organs in the body of a woman are highly important. About 5-10% women all over the world experience multiple small cysts in their ovaries; the condition is known in the medical world as polycystic ovarian syndrome. This syndrome can lead to infertility, but is not always fatal. Sometimes, though rare, it can be fatal when a woman develops ovarian cyst cancer.

Ovarian cyst cancer is a condition found to affect women in their 50s, though it is quite rare. If the cysts are not too large, the victims do not experience any pain. Normally, the condition is detected when the cysts grow too large and the victim starts experiencing pain; this is bad as treatment then starts at a late stage.

The cancer starts developing at the cell. When old cells do not die and new cells develop, there is a load of cells forcing the development of a tumor, which can be cancerous. Only malignant tumors are cancerous, not the benign ones.

Complicated ovarian cysts can pose to be a big problem. So, it is always ideal to see a doctor immediately for treatment. The victim should state clearly the symptoms that she is facing, so that the doctor is able to prescribe the right treatment for her.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Not many people are lucky enough to have breast cancer and still have no complications affecting their sex life. Most of them, with time, feel low desire and coitus pain. The top three problems affecting the sex life are:

Lack of lubrication in the genitals: Hormonal treatment can lead you to early menopause and for some people the problem translates to vaginal dryness and decrease in desire. Younger women, who have undergone chemotherapy to treat breast cancer, are more likely to face the above-mentioned problems. According to doctors, such situations can be tackled with the use of external lubricants.

Tiredness: One of the biggest libido killers is fatigue. Recovering from chemotherapy, radiation, and mastectomy can drain out life energy from your body. According to Helen L. Coons, PhD, of Women’s Mental Health Associates (Philadelphia) states “Fatigue is a bigger problem because it can be pervasive and it can last a lot longer.”

Change in breast: Reconstructed breasts, scars, and change in the shape of the breasts take some time to get used to. It is easier to say that with time everything will be normal, however, the onus is on the individual to bounce back as quickly as possible.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Sexual dysfunction is not only limited to men, women can also suffer it. Women enjoying sex in the past may suddenly have a painful experience when having intercourse with their partner. Female sexual dysfunction is not a rare case. According to medical reports, 4 in every 10 women, experience at least one sexual concern usually in the later stage of their lives.

Female sexual dysfunction – trauma

Female sexual dysfunction is revealed in the persisting problems that a woman faces in one or more sexual responses. This sexual dysfunction makes a woman depressed and shatters her love and sex life. If a woman finds that her body is having difficulty in responding to sexual intimacy normally, the intercourse will be a bad experience for both the sex partners.

Symptoms of female dysfunction

Sexual problems can be witnessed by women of all ages; women are usually hormonally prone to sexual dysfunction after menopause. The symptoms include:

- Pain when coming in sexual contact or when having intercourse
- Failure to achieve orgasm
- Willing to have sex, but not being sexually aroused
- Not being able to hold onto the sexual arousal when having intercourse
- Very less or total loss of sexual desire

It is to be noted that the aforementioned symptoms do not imply for sure that you are suffering from female sexual dysfunction. Talk to a doctor if you experience such symptoms persistently.

Causes

Physical factors as well as emotional problems may be blamed for sexual dysfunction in women. Physically, a suffering woman may be a victim of hormonal imbalances, yeast infections, post-partum depression, drug or alcohol abuse, or dryness during sex. Diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis can also be responsible for sexual problems.

Emotionally, a woman may be mentally stressed, have relationship issues with the sex partner, have cultural issues about intimacy or may have been a victim of sexual abuses previously.

Treatment

Treatment is essential for sexual dysfunction. Women should open out with such problems and talk with the doctor. The treatments that are suggested include:

- Hormonal replacement therapy for increasing the blood flow to the pelvic area post menopause
- Water-based vaginal lubricants can be used for helping women be comfortable during intercourse
- Topical estrogen helps overcome dryness in the vagina when having sex; this is required usually after menopause

Women may also need to undergo emotional or psychological treatments. Good communication and understanding between the two sex partners is essential for a woman to overcome sexual dysfunction. The male partner should be essentially supportive when his female partner is suffering from sexual dysfunction.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Vaginoplasty which is often popularly known as vaginal rejuvenation, vaginal reconstruction or vaginal tightening is a surgical process for the purpose of female sexual enhancement. This cosmetic and reconstructive surgery actually improves the tone and the look of the vagina by tightening the muscles, decreases the relaxed vaginal linings and supports tissues.

Who needs this surgery?

Rejuvenation of the vagina is usually required by women who have experienced a number of childbirths and as an outcome, are left with enlarged vaginal muscles that look odd. This prevents them from enjoying sex with their partner. Women who are in average physical state or good health condition can undergo the surgery. There are exercises to tone the muscles in the area; surgery is the ultimate step when exercises do not help improve the condition.

Toned vaginal muscles mean greater contraction control and strength, enabling a woman to enjoy sex better with increased sensation at the time of intercourse.

Risks involved

Vaginoplasty has its share of risks involved in the surgical process. Patients can suffer from bleeding, scarring, infection, allergic reaction to the anaesthesia performed and painful intercourse later if the muscles get too tight.

Post-surgery recovery

If the surgical procedure is successful, the patient should be able to walk in just a few days and resume sexual activities in just a month or so. Usually pain is experienced in the area in the next week of the surgery. The sutures are removed in after a week of the surgery.

It is also essential to follow certain steps like practising exercises to tighten the pelvic muscles, avoid lifting heavy objects, and avoiding straining during defecation. Vaginal muscle stretch exercises are a must; this decreases the formation of scar tissue and also helps get a good sized vagina.

Alternatives to surgery

If you do not want to go for Vaginoplasty, you can go for other treatment options like:

Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR), where laser is used to tighten and strengthen the muscles of the vagina.

Laser Perineoplasty is a good option for sagging labia minora and labia majora and makes the vagina look good.

Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV) is needed for enhancing the labia minora, labia majora, vulvar structures, perineum, mons pubis, hymen and introitus.

Laser Reduction Labiaplasty is used for sculpting the unequal or elongated labial minora.

If you think, you really want to go for a vaginoplasty and can afford the expensive surgical procedure, you can go ahead.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Picture Courtesy: Mayo Foundation

Breast augmentation is a surgical process where breast implants are inserted into the breasts of a woman to increase their bust sizes and make them look attractive. Women go for breast augmentation mainly because they want to enlarge their breasts in proportion to their bodies, make both breasts have the same size and shape, and restructuring breasts, which have lost shape due to breast-feeding.

Breast Anatomy and the Techniques used in Surgery

The breast consist fatty, fibrous and glandular tissues. Inside the breasts are milk ducts, blood vessels, glands, fat and sensory nerves. In breast augmentation surgery, incision is made before starting the operation. There are 3 kinds of incisions, of which the surgeon chooses one.

Periareolar incision: This incision is made around the nipple and is the best concealed. The drawback is that there can be certain problems when breastfeeding.

Transaxillary incision: This cut is made under the arm and is less concealed; if a woman does not want scars on her breasts, she can go for this option.

Inframammary incision: This incision is made within the breast fold and is widely used as it is well concealed.

During the surgery, general anaesthesia is used and often the patient is discharged from the hospital on the same day after the surgery. The surgery takes just 1 or 2 hours for completion.

The surgeon talks with you regarding the surgical technique that is best suitable for one’s personal requirements.

The Recovery Process

Every woman reacts to the surgical procedure differently. Right after the surgery, you will feel sick for a number of days. Discomfort is experienced at its extreme in the initial 1 to 3 days after the breast augmentation procedure.

Picture of a woman 1-year after operation

One may be required to wear a compression garment or a postoperative bra after the surgery. This will offer additional support when the patient is healing. It is advisable to contact the doctor immediately if you experience any problems post-surgery.

There is no need for having any qualms regarding breast augmentation; at present, there are new surgical procedures available, which are much faster and easier to be performed. Just consult the doctor properly before you go for this kind of surgery.

Popularity: 100% [?]