Dr. Amudha Hari

Human sexuality is a fairly complicated process and differs a lot between men and women. While most men can easily achieve orgasm, for women, is a completely different story. Many studies and self-reporting done on this subject have shown that very few actually get to orgasm most of the time and many fake it for a host of reasons. Let’s look at a few of the top reasons why women may fake it.

1. To make a session end – A woman, while in the act, may feel bored or want the session to end quickly especially if her partner is close to or has already achieved orgasm. She would want to fake an orgasm to bring conclusion to the session and get on with other things.

2. To boost the ego of the partner – Women may fake orgasms to ensure that their partners don’t feel guilty or inadequate about not making them climax. Although this usually happens in long term relationships, women may even do it in short term relationships to not hurt the ego of their men.

3. The partner doesn’t know how to bring a woman to climax – Many men don’t know how to bring their women to orgasm and thus, will try many things. There are other men who may not even care to know about pleasing their partners. In such cases, a woman may fake an orgasm as a ritual to show that she is also enjoying the act when she is actually not.

4. Used as a strategy to retain their partner in long term relationships – Many married women or women in long term relationships use fake orgasms to ensure that their partners feel happy. This is done so that their partners continue to stay with them and feel that they have been satisfying them well enough.

5. Faking an orgasm may lead to an actual one – Although this happens to a few women, some have reportedly stated that faking one orgasm might get them to have a real one. Some women also report being turned on by faking an orgasm.

6. She is afraid she will be judged – Many women feel insecure that if they are unable to orgasm with their respective partners, they might be judged as inadequate or incomplete. Thus, they would fake orgasms to bring finality to cover their own insecurities.

Having a child is one of the best things that can happen to a woman. While giving birth to a child is a very happy scenario, something called ‘postpartum menstrual pain’ can act as a damper. Postpartum menstrual pain occurs during the first period post-delivery. To understand it in a better way, here is a detailed overview that should help you out:

Period after childbirth
Periods usually return after 7-8 weeks of the delivery, provided there is no breast feeding. If you breast feed, then the timing of the period can vary. In some cases, a woman misses out on her periods for the entire duration of breast feeding; whereas in others, the period returns irrespective of whether she is breast feeding or not.

Once the periods start post-delivery, tampons are recommended against. Women who are breastfeeding don’t usually have their periods due to hormonal changes in the body. Hormones that induce periods are suppressed by the hormones which are responsible for the production of breast milk. The entire process of ovulation gets suppressed, thus leading to the absence of menstruation.

Difference in periods
Once your periods begin after the delivery, it will be different from the ones you have had before childbirth. As the body adjusts to the menstruation process post childbirth, one generally experiences the following symptoms:

1. Stronger cramps
2. Heavy menstrual flow
3. Formation of small blood clots
4. Pain during periods

Postpartum menstrual pain happens because of the following reasons:

1. Pain in the vagina: The childbirth process may lead to swelling and stinging in the vagina. Painful periods will persist till the swelling subsides.
2. Contractions of the uterus: Post childbirth uterus contractions are common as it comes back to its regular size; this may be a source of the pain.
3. Breast feeding: Breast feeding can also trigger menstrual pain as it results in the release of ‘oxytocin’, which causes contractions in the uterus.

This problem of painful periods doesn't last longer. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.

Addiction is the absolute dependency on a particular substance or situation. Substance addiction includes a variety of substances apart from alcohol and drugs. Examples include porn, food, chocolate, nicotine, etc. Situation addiction includes gambling, shopping and sex among others. The problem in our society with addiction is it is treated like a choice than as a major problem faced by an individual. De-addiction is the process of ridding the individual of his dependence on certain substances or activities.

Process

1. Rehabilitation psychology studies the process of de-addiction and helps addicts blend with the normal lifestyle. Rehab centers offer several forms of therapy to reduce substance usage.
2. Group therapy is always the go to form of therapeutic technique to deal with cases of addiction owing to the common feeling among users that people who aren’t addicted and do not know what they’re going through. In those cases, it is rather important to have support from a group of people who are exactly where they are.
3. Family therapy is also essential to make the individual know how their loved ones feel and also remind them of the unconditional support. Some rehab centers also use the horse therapy (focuses on interaction with horses which facilitates emotional and occupational development in patients) which is rather interesting to witness.
4. In addition to therapy, rehab centers teach life skills and cooperation. Apart from all this, drugs are also prescribed to deal with addiction along with the weekly scheduled personal therapy sessions.

Although an unfamiliar concept in India, halfway homes are the next step after the rehab. The individuals learn different skills and ways to manage themselves outside the house while still continuing their therapy. This is done to make sure one doesn’t relapse right after the rehabilitation has been completed. Most rehabs also suggest support group meetings. Even otherwise support groups are extremely effective in the de-addiction process. ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ and ‘Narcotics Anonymous’ are two of the most widely managed support groups around the world.

Addiction is an immense issue which has spiraled out of control in today’s times. However, it is necessary to understand it isn’t the question of the individual’s morality. The removal of labels and stigma is essential in the entire process. Support from loved ones is an extremely important step towards de-addiction, right after the acceptance that one is addicted. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a psychiatrist.

Are you experiencing irregular and fluctuating heartbeats? Is your heartbeat too fast or too slow? If yes, then it signifies that you are suffering from arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. This is a disorder which affects the heart rate or heart rhythm and the heartbeat becomes irregular.

Causes of abnormal heart rhythms
Arrhythmias occurs due to problems with the electrical conduction system of the heart. In this case, abnormal signals might occur; the electrical signals might get blocked or slowed down, or the electric signals may travel in different paths throughout the heart. Abnormal heartbeats are commonly caused by the following:

1. Abnormal potassium levels in the body
2. Heart attacks or due to a damaged heart muscle, owing to a previous heart attack
3. Inborn heart diseases
4. Cases of an enlarged heart and heart failure
5. Overreaction of the thyroid gland
6. Several other substances or medicines may lead to arrhythmias, such as alcohol, stimulant drugs, caffeine, nicotine, and antidepressant medicines or blood pressure medicines.

Common symptoms of this condition apart from irregular heartbeat patterns include chest pain, fainting, dizziness and light-headedness, trouble in breathing and paleness.

Diagnosis of abnormal heart rhythms
For the diagnosis of arrhythmias, your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your heartbeat. Several health monitoring devices are used to detect abnormal heart rhythms. These include the Holter monitor and the event monitor, or a loop recorder.

Other diagnosis tests which are required to be carried out include coronary angiography, ECG or electrocardiogram, and an echocardiogram. A test known as an electrophysiology can be undertaken for getting a closer look at the electrical system of the heart.

Treatment for abnormal heart rhythms
When a case of arrhythmias is severe, urgent treatment is required for restoring the heart’s rhythm to normal. The different forms of treatment are as follows:

1. Electrical shock therapy such as defibrillation or cardioversion
2. Implanting of a heart pacemaker for a short term
3. Certain medications which are given through the veins or orally
4. A group of medicines known as anti-arrhythmic drugs is used for the prevention of recurrence of the condition and to keep the heart rate from fluctuating continually.
5. Cardiac ablation may be carried out for destroying some areas in the heart from where the rhythm problems are caused.
6. An implantable cardiac defibrillator is used in people who are at a risk of facing cardiac death.

In case you experience abnormal heart rhythm, you must consult a doctor immediately. You should only start taking medicines and follow a treatment after it has been recommended by a doctor.