What You Should Know About Women’s Intimate Health

If you’re following current CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you’re probably spending a lot of time at home and socially distancing. That means you may be having more quality time with your partner. But sometimes intimate health can get in the way of that quality time. Luckily, understanding a bit about intimate wellness and talking to your doctor can help with any issues you may have.

What is Intimate Health?

Intimate health can refer to a number of different aspects of a woman’s reproductive and sexual health. The term may be used in references to a variety of different conditions that affect the female genitalia or reproductive organs (such as STIs, yeast infections, vaginitis, etc). However, when we’re talking about women’s intimate health and wellness here, we are referring to issues that make it difficult for a woman to enjoy sexual intercourse. Specifically, we’re going to focus on issues that may be related to aging and menopause.

Issues with Women’s Intimate Wellness

Because there are many different aspects to intimate health, issues are bound to occur every now and then. According to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, it’s estimated that about one-third of young and middle-aged women have a sexual health problem. About half of older women have a sexual problem. Sometimes issues with intimate wellness are due to life changes or health conditions.

For women, sexual changes are often a part of aging and menopause. The following are common problems women may have with intimate wellness:

Vaginal Dryness: Vaginal dryness often occurs due to decreasing estrogen associated with menopause. Some medications may also contribute to vaginal dryness. Dryness may result in discomfort and can result in painful intercourse.
Vaginal Laxity: Vaginal laxity is a looseness that occurs in the vagina. It can happen after vaginal childbirth but it may also be associated with menopause or aging. Laxity can cause a loss of sensation during intercourse.
Low Sex Drive: A noticeable drop in sex drive may be caused by physical factors such as hormone imbalance or vaginal discomfort. Other issues related to menopause (fatigue, insomnia, mood swings) can also contribute to low libido.

Improving Women’s Intimate Health

There are several ways that intimate health and wellness can be improved. Depending on your unique situation, your OB/GYN can provide treatments with hormone therapy or non-invasive therapeutic procedures.

Hormonal Treatments

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be effective for managing many symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats. It is also a frequently recommended treatment for sexual health issues like low libido and vaginal dryness.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy using pellets is often more effective than other forms of HRT because pellets deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for an extended period of time. Pellet therapy using hormones like testosterone can help with dryness, libido, and even improve sexual response.

Not all women are good candidates for hormonal treatments. There are other non-hormonal treatments available that can help with intimate wellness.

MonaLisa Touch

MonaLisa Touch is a laser treatment that can help with women’s intimate health by stimulating a healing response in vaginal tissue. The treatment stimulates the development of new collagen in the tissue, which helps with problems like vaginal dryness that causes painful intercourse. It can also help with vaginal tightening and improve sensation.

MonaLisa Touch uses a probe with a specialized laser that is inserted into the vaginal canal. The laser energy targets the vaginal tissue to promote collagen production and mucosal revitalization.

Treatment with MonaLisa Touch usually consists of three in-office procedures performed over the course of 12 weeks. Many women notice results after their first treatment and continue to see improvements as treatment continues. After the three procedures are completed, it is recommended that you come back for an annual maintenance treatment.

Geneveve

Geneveve is a treatment that helps treat vaginal laxity. It helps generate new collagen using heat therapy. This treatment was developed and tested specifically for delicate vaginal tissue. It uses patented deep-heating energy combined with surface cooling to safely deliver heat to the tissue and stimulate collagen formation.

Geneveve is non-invasive and painless. It is a 30-minute treatment performed in the office. You will see improvements within 30 days of treatment and the full results will be noticeable after about 90 days. Results can last up to 12 months or longer.

The team at Triangle Physicians for Women is here for you in all stages of your life and we’re happy to offer patients treatments that can help them improve their intimate health. We remain committed to providing you with comprehensive care during these uncertain times. Our top priorities are always the safety and health of our patients and staff. For more information on our policies for COVID-19, call the office at (919) 678-6900 or click here for details.

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I think Dr. Grana and her assistant (Mandy) are the best. I have been going to TP4W for years – at least 20, and I have never been disappointed with the level of care I have received. I can be a challenge as my level for pain tolerance is low and they put up with me! I can’t help but highly recommend the practice to anyone looking for exemplary women’s healthcare.

Love love love Dr. Grana and her crew. Love going to Holly Springs office. The girls are the best from Lisa at the front desk to all the girls in the back. Your music and atmosphere is great. Thanks for making these appointments fun!! Yes believe it or not, fun!!!

Dr V and the office staff were all very professional, understanding, caring and very efficient. I would be happy to recommend this practice to friends, family and associates. – Barbara M. Lucas

My visit was great! & my past visit have all been great.Kristy helped me even with me being a bit stressed & in a hurry because I had to be seen & my job is super strict. Her urgency to get me seen was phenomenal. I even got to see Heather, she’s awesome & amazing. She helped deliver my baby girl a year ago. My whole family loves her and Dr Sheshadri. We actually can’t wait to get pregnant again hahaha. Everyone treats you with respect and always makes sure your okay & answers whatever questions you have before you leave. Even leaving a message for the nurses,they get back to you so quickly. This practice really makes you feel taken care of. We appreciate you all! – Erika Hooks

My experience with the TP4W staff has been top of the line. They helped me through three pregnancies and coached me through every step of the way. Eternally thankful I chose TP4W. – Britney

TP4W have such amazing doctors, midwives and nurses. I cannot say enough about Dr. Grana and the rest of the staff for all the help, advice, guidance and medical care they provided me with all of my kids. She made me feel safe and calm through both c-sections. My routine care and pregnancy care have always been top notch and I would recommend them to anyone looking for an OBGYN. – Brooke

We were honored to receive a hand written note..

Dr. Grana, Angie, Jessica, Heather, April, Sarah and the rest of the staff –

Thank you all so much for taking such good care of me through both of my pregnancies and births, especially my latest one on 10/29! most of yall know how nervous I was from having gone through a lot (to say the least) with my first in 2016. You all made me feel so comfortable and at ease before, during and after. And going through a touch year with my dad, you guys always asked how he was doing at every appointment, which was so thoughtful and beyond your job description. I know that you all see many women go through what i did each and every day and deliver many babies and perform many c-sections. But I hope you know how special Ruby’s delivery was to me. You all have amazing jobs! I cannot thank you all enough. Merry Christmas!

Love, Lucy

I have been going to TP4W since 2010/11 and could not be happier.

The staff, nurses, midwives, and doctors are all amazing. I have 2 sons, both delivered via cesarean by Dr. V. Every visit and every provider did everything in their power to give me the birth experience I wanted, and also ensure that myself and my babies were safe and healthy. Dr. V even did everything in his power to help me avoid my first c-section and VBAC with the second, but that turned out to be out of his hands and he was the absolute best surgeon. With my two pregnancies, I experienced a few scares and some unusual circumstances that would be too long and too private to write in a review, but every single hurdle was handled with grace, honesty, and professionalism. I am so thankful for the recommendation from a friend to come to this office. I can’t imagine ever going to another practice.

TP4W is amazing and I am so very thankful I found them 9 years ago!! Amazing partnership between midwives and doctors, sweet nurses and front end staff, and relaxing environment. I literally recommend them to all my friends! I look forward to my appointments and feel like I’m going to catch up with old friends.

I’ve always had wonderful experiences at TP4W. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, and thorough in their care. April delivered my son and I can’t say enough wonderful things about her. She is patient and compassionate. I had the best labor and delivery experience thanks to her. I do and will continue to recommend them to my friends and family!