For a lot of women, it can be a bit unnerving to discuss matters of sexual health with doctors—but that’s part of the job of your OBGYN! The team at Women’s Health Specialists provides a safe space for these talks, and today we’ll let you know how to address common sexual health concerns with your OBGYN.
Tips for Asking Questions
We know that even starting this conversation can be hard—so we’ve compiled some tips for conditions and subject matter that might help you feel more heard, especially if it’s a subject you’re breaching for the very first time.
- Be Comfortable: Try to schedule an appointment at a time when you don’t feel rushed or pressured to speak quickly. You can always request a longer appointment.
- Be Honest and Open: This is absolutely essential! We provide you guidance without judgment, and omitting information can make this process less accurate. Some topics that might be hard to bring up but that can be addressed include:
-
-
- Pain during intercourse
- Questions or concerns about sexually transmitted infections
- Vaginal dryness or pain
- Difficulty achieving orgasm or low libido
- Menstrual issues that impact your sexual life
-
- Use Clear Language: As doctors, we don’t expect you to be versed in perfect medical jargon! Please speak to us however you’re comfortable, and let us know if you have trouble explaining something. You can also show us areas of concern on a diagram or on your own body.
- Holistic Sexual Health: There’s a whole lot more to sexual health than physical concerns. Mental, emotional, and relational factors all impact your overall state. So feel free to bring up any anxiety or relationship factors that might be having an effect on your well-being.
- Contraceptive Concerns: Having questions about contraception is completely normal. We’re able to provide you with various techniques to help in this situation and discuss longer-term solutions for birth control.
- Mention Lifestyle Factors: We already discussed emotional factors, but other factors that can be extremely relevant to your sexual health include medications you take and sleep patterns. Hormonal birth control can affect your libido, for example, as can some antidepressants or other drugs used for mental health treatment.
- Follow-Up if Needed: This is actually a hurdle for some patients! If your provider recommends treatments, lifestyle changes, or further testing, don’t delay to adhere to these suggestions.
- Embrace Confidentiality: Remember that your OBGYN is here to support you, and that you have nothing to be afraid of with the support of Women’s Health Specialists.
Common Questions
Patients have different levels of sexual experience and individual sexual identities. In some cases, women may also associate some trauma with their sexuality. We take every single one of these factors into consideration when we address sexual questions to offer the best possible guidance. Here are a few common questions that you might have for your provider:
Q: What can I do if I have a low sex drive?
For many women, sex drive and libido can rise and fall naturally as they age and experience different lifestyle factors. We can address this and figure out the cause(s). Changes in certain habits or hormone treatments can help with this issue.
Q: How do I know if I have an STI?
It’s very important to note that a lot of STIs are asymptomatic. For this reason, testing regularly is key to your sexual health if you’re sexually active. Some symptoms that may present themselves include discharge, itching, or sores. We’ll be able to assess, test, and treat these symptoms.
Q: What’s the best way to clean and care for my vaginal area?
We see confusion on this topic pretty regularly, so don’t ever be embarrassed to ask us about it! Your OBGYN will be able to suggest the best products and practices for maintaining vaginal health while avoiding disruption in bacterial balance.
Q: Are there any health risks with sexual activity after pregnancy?
Many first-time mothers are curious about the best and safest ways to resume sexual activity after having their child. Our team can give you individual advice on this matter, related to when your body has healed enough and how to address any issues that can arise.
An Excellent Education
When it comes to women’s health and sexual health, it’s a team effort between you and your OBGYN! This is why transparency and open communication is so critical, especially since no two women are exactly alike. Your experiences and those of a friend, sister, or mother will not necessarily be the same. So please don’t be afraid to talk to us. Our team at our Germantown office looks forward to seeing you soon.