MOTHERS' HELPLINE: Vaginal Hygiene and Disease with Obs&Gyn Dr Kuruga

Q. I started using implant (Family Planning) 3years ago. My libido, together with that of my husband has gone down. Please advice.

The hormones from having the implant can really affect your libido, but not that of your husband. Advice him to see a doctor.

Q.Does the food you eat affect the nature of your vagina?

That is a yes or no question, depending on the person. Let me say maybe. It is important to note that there are some natural foods that can affect the pH of the vagina. Natural Yoghurt and Garlic are known to assist in balancing the vaginal pH and managing vaginal yeast infections.

Q.After giving birth I feel the need to tighten my vaginal muscles, apart from Kegel Exercise, are there any natural means? Some women say they use lemon, but I am afraid of the acidity.

Do not put anything up your vagina, especially not lemons. We never advocate for anything being put up the vagina for treatment. Kegel exercises are the best to help tighten those vaginal muscles. There are Kegel exercise kits like gynaeflex that help remove any uncertainty of muscle tightness reconstruction. The vaginal muscles can also be surgically repaired but the gynecologist must be sort to advice appropriately.

Q.I need to know how to appropriately clean my vagina. I am not a fun of douching and other methods?

Douching can tamper with the balance of the vaginal ph. The vagina cleans itself. Wash externally, avoid getting anything inside.

Q.What causes bleeding after sex, for more than 5 days. It is not my menstrual period?

It is not usual to bleed after sex, see the gynecologist immediately.

Q.How does one know for sure that after giving birth and it has expanded, that they have healed and are back to the size they were before.

You cannot tell the size. You could not tell before neither can you tell after.

Q.Does coil cause dryness during sex in some people? If it does, what's the remedy?

Coil is not known to cause dryness. There are other causes of dryness. You need to seek medical attention. Get examined by a gynecologist and get the right treatment.

Q. What are major causes of bartholin cyst and is there any means to prevent its recurrence?

Bartholin cyst is caused by the blockage of the Bath glands, the tubes from the vagina to the vulva. When they get clocked up, bacteria may take advantage and cause an infection. The cysts range in size from as small as a pea to as big as an egg. The bigger cysts may cause pain. A surgical procedure to permanently leave the gland open can be done to ensure there is no likelihood to develop the cysts.

Q. Can ovarian cyst cause infertility?

It all depends on the type of cyst, as there are various types. Get examined and the cyct examined to determine if it is a likely cause of infertility.

Q.What is that smell that comes from older women e.g. 50 and above? What are the causes? Any remedies?

It is not normal to have a smell down there. It could be due to imbalance of organisms. Seek the gynecologist immediately. If the person observes proper hygiene, regardless of age, there should be no smell at all.