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Q
I’ve always had a tough
time wearing tampons. Most
of the time they don’t feel
comfortable. Is that normal?
A
For women who have never
been sexually active, tampons
may not initially be comfortable.
However, it may be a matter of
finding the right tampon. There
are slim tampons and tampons
with plastic applicators. These are
generally much more comfortable
than a standard-size tampon with a
cardboard applicator.
In some cases, women may
never be completely comfortable
using a tampon for cultural reasons
or because they just don’t like the
idea of something in the vagina.
However, if the problem is not
being able to insert a tampon
at all because of a perceived
obstruction, then you should
see a gynecologist for a physical
evaluation to determine if there is
something causing difficulty
with insertion.
Q
Is it normal for me to
leak urine, even if I’m not my
mom’s age?
A
It is not normal, but it is
also not uncommon in younger
women, especially if you have had
children. Being pregnant causes
changes in the tissue, muscles, and
nerves and can contribute to stress
incontinence — urine leakage that
occurs when you cough, laugh,
sneeze, lift something, or exercise.
If you’ve had a baby recently,
stress incontinence will most
likely improve with time. But no
matter your age or situation, if
incontinence is affecting your
day-to-day activities or self-
esteem or causing skin irritation
or infections, talk to your doctor.
There are helpful treatments,
like pelvic floor rehabilitation
offered through Methodist
Mansfield Medical Center’s
physical therapy department
( MethodistHealthSystem.org/ MansfieldPhysicalMedicine ).
Q
Should I douche?
A
Douching is generally
not recommended and
actually increases the risk for
developing bacterial vaginosis
(BV), the most common cause
of vaginal discharge in women of
childbearing age. In the vagina,
“good” bacteria balance out the
“bad” bacteria. But douching can
wipe out the “good” bacteria,
throwing off the good-bad ratio
and resulting in infection.
Questions & Answers
NO NEED TO BLUSH
Methodist Mansfield’s medical staff
boasts dozens of providers to answer
your questions and make sure you
get the care you need. Find one
today at
MethodistHealthSystem.org/ FindAPhysician ,or call
877-637-4297
.
Are there questions you’d like to ask your OB-GYN but you’re too
embarrassed? Here Melinda Velez, DO, OB-GYN at Methodist Mansfield
Medical Center, steps up to offer a few of the answers you wanted.
w
with Melinda Velez, DO
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
•
❁
Winter 2014 – 2015
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