Androcare Andrology & Men's Health Institute

The vagina is a tube-like muscular structure of the female genital tract that extends from the cervix to the vulva. It is a delicate organ which is prone to injuries and infections.Complications related to urination, menstruation and sexual intercourse- all affect the vaginal health.

Here are five questions associated with vaginal problems that are commonly experienced but rarely discussed :

1. Why does it feel itchy before menstruation?

The hormonal cycle reduces the amount of estrogen secreted right before the period starts. This reduces the moisture content of the inner membranes of the vagina; the skin becomes thinner and slightly dry. This can cause the itching. However, if the itching and burning sensation is too severe, it could be an infection and should be checked out.

2. What is the white discharge?

The greasy white discharge is due to the ovulation cycle. It usually occurs once a month because the amount of secretion increases right before ovulation. Some women may experience this discharge more frequently but it is nothing to worry about unless there is an unpleasant odor. Odorous discharge could be a sign of bacterial infection.

3. How often should you have a vaginal examination?

You should get a vaginal examination at least once a year. This is important for a general health assessment and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. If you are using birth control medication, there might be irregularity in the hormonal cycles and this can lead to a number of conditions- another reason to get an annual vaginal examination.

4. Does it smell differently at different times?

It usually smells differently for every woman and even that unique smell changes with the cycles of ovulation and menstruation due to changes in the pH level of the vagina. The normal vaginal pH value is between 3.8 and 4.6. Before menstruation, it may smell acidic followed by a bitter smell for a few days after menstruation. It may also smell differently after a workout (due to sweat) or after sex (due to lubrication). However, a foul smell accompanied by discharge, might be a cause for concern.

5. Why does it feel dry sometimes?

Vaginal dryness is normally experienced by women after the age of 45 or after pregnancy. However, dryness is also common just before menstruation. It also happens in women who use anti-allergy medications or birth control pills because they cause dryness in all the mucous membranes of the body.

A birth control pill is commonly referred to as an oral contraceptive pill. A form of hormonal contraception and is a highly effective method of birth control. Only 1% of women experience unintended pregnancy when on the pill.

Birth control pills are of two types i.e combination pills and mini pills. Combination pills contain synthetic forms of the two hormones called oestrogen and progesterone. The mini pill only contains the hormone progesterone and is called progestin.
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However, the pill does have some side effects to it. These include the following:

1. Intermenstrual spotting: Within the first three months of s36184tarting the pill, women experience vaginal bleeding between the two period cycles.
2. Nausea: Although the symptoms subside after some time, some women till experience nausea for a while after taking the pill. If one consumes the pill with food or before going to bed, this can help lower the likelihood of feeling nauseous.
3. Breast tenderness: The breasts might feel tender and enlarged after taking the pill. However, anyone who finds a lump in the breast or feels continuous pain needs to seek medical help.
4. Headaches: Migraines and headaches are a very common phenomenon of the birth control pill. Different types and doses of these pills may result in different headache symptoms.
5. Gaining weight: Experiencing certain fluid retention in the hip or breast area is very common. It also affects the fat cells of the body because of the oestrogen present in the pills.
6. Mood swings: Those with a history of stress or depression might start to feel the same again. If one has that kind of a history and starts to feel emotional changes, she should consult a doctor immediately.
7. Missing periods: It is a common side effect that after using the pill, one's period might get skipped. This is influenced by several factors including stress, depression or thyroid dysfunctions.
8. Decreased libido: The sex drive can be widely affected by the birth control pill. Although many other factors could result in a decreased libido, but if it remains after having the pill and is persistent, one should seek medical help or consult a specialist.
9. Vaginal discharge: There could be an increase or a decrease in the vaginal lubrication. Some people might experience vaginal discharge since it is very common. Changes in vaginal discharge never turn out to be harmful.
10. Changes in the vision: Fluid retention due to the birth control pill can result in the swelling of corneas. Because of this, even contact lenses do not fit comfortably. Contact lens wearers should consult an ophthalmologist if their vision or lens tolerance is disturbed.

Although there are certain side effects to taking birth control pills; however, one should not abstain from taking them in the fear that they might cause certain side effects. These pills are a precautionary measure along with other protection methods and should be taken in case someone wants to avoid pregnancy at the time being. 

Erectile dysfunction refers to the situation when a man has difficulty in getting a firm erection or an erection which is required to achieve sexual penetration. Several cases of erectile dysfunction can cause impotency in a man.

Causes-

1. Any problem in the blood flow, proper hormone secretion and nervous supply in the body may cause erectile dysfunction.
2. Erectile dysfunction also happens due to vascular causes along with neurological causes.
3. Arthrosclerosis is a disease which often leads to erectile dysfunction. This disease is commonly caused because of smoking and diabetes. The arteries to the penis become narrow and clogged and erectile dysfunction occurs.
4. Neuropathy caused due to diabetes, known as diabetic neuropathy, is a primary neurological cause of erectile dysfunction. Nerve damage on account of surgery around the pelvis area may also lead to erectile dysfunction.
5. High blood pressure or hypertension damages arteries all over the vascular system. Blood flow is impaired and proper erection is prohibited, which signifies erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction also happens due to physical causes such as:

1. High cholesterol and obesity.
2. Parkinsons disease and multiple cases of sclerosis.
3. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse.
4. Disorder in anatomy or structure of the penis.
5. Surgical complications.
6. Several prescribed medicines also may lead to erectile dysfunction because of reactions and side effects.

Erectile dysfunction may also result due to several psychological causes:

1. Depression makes a person uninterested in sex due to lower libido and may cause erectile dysfunction.
2. A large amount of stress, fear, tension or anxiety may also lead to erectile dysfunction.
3. Many men suffer from performance anxiety and feelings of sexual failure. This may result in erectile dysfunction.
4. Poor communication with a partner or pressure from partner regarding sex may also cause erectile dysfunction.

Homeopathic Remedies For Impotency (Erectile Dysfunction)-

1. Agnus Castus: Homeopathic medicine Agnus Castus is used in cases where there is complete inability to attain penile erection during the sexual act. Homeopathic medicine Agnus Castus can be used in cases of Erectile Dysfunction and sexual weakness where the male has a mental aversion to indulge in sex, along with decreased physical strength.
2. Caladium: Homeopathic medicine Caladium is of great help for treatment of Erectile Dysfunction when the male is unable to have an erection despite having a sexual desire or urge.
3. Lycopodium: Homeopathic medicine Lycopodium is of great help for both young people and elderly people suffering from Erectile Dysfunction.
4. Tribulus Terrestris: The main indication for using Homeopathic medicine Tribulus Terrestris is the presence of urinary troubles along with Erectile Dysfunction.
5. Nuphar Luteum: Homeopathic medicine Nuphar Luteum can be beneficial for all those males with Erectile Dysfunction in whom the desire to indulge in sexual activity is totally absent. There is no sexual desire with relaxed genitalia.

Homeopathic treatment is based on Individualisation. Same medicine will not work on every patient even if they all suffer from same disease. So detail study of person (by knowing sign and symptoms of patient along with his nature, stress, mode of living, occupation) is very important for selection of Homoeopathic Medicine. That only brings a permenant cure.

Erectile dysfunction affects the self-esteem and confidence of a man as he is unable to have sex. Necessary measures should be taken to cure erectile dysfunction.

Paraphilia is a condition involving abnormal sexual desires or being aroused only by specific activities that deviate from the average interests. The arousal of people with paraphilia are bound by fantasizing about certain situations or activities that not necessarily 'normal'.

There are hundreds of recognized sexual paraphilia. A few of the most commonly known examples include:

1. Necrophilia: Involves being sexually aroused by corpses

2. Paedophilia: It is being aroused by prepubescent children

3. Narratophilia: Being aroused by obscene words.

4. Metrophilia: Being aroused by poetry

5. Masochism: Being aroused by suffering, being bound or beaten

6. Sadism: Arousal that comes with inflicting pain on others

7. Anthropophagolagnia: Involves raping and then eating the corpse of the victim

8. Coprophilia: Arousal involving faeces

9. Pictophilia: Arousal involving pornography or erotic pictures

10. Zoophilia: Involving animals

While some of these fantasies are harmless indulgences, some might be a serious threat to the person and the society. Anthropophagolagnia, for example, is one of the most dangerous examples of paraphilia. Ted Bundy, one of the most talked about cases in criminal psychology, was known to practice Anthropophagolagnia.

Some cases of paraphilia, when done with a consenting partner and indulged in discreetly, need not be especially a threat to others, for example, Metrophilia and Narratophilia. However, the likes of paedophilia, necrophilia and paraphilia involving rape fantasies are pathological in nature and can be considered abnormal and outright dangerous for the overall health and sanctity of the society.

Symptoms of paraphilia include the severe obsession with a particular fantasy or object to the point the individual is unable to attain sexual satisfaction without it.

The development of paraphilia, from a psychoanalytic perspective, is attributed to the arousal caused by a particular behaviour in childhood. From a behaviouristic perspective, sexual arousal may be attached to a particular object if both the instances have repeatedly occurred together around the concerned individual, thus conditioning them. An individual who is the victim or observer of inappropriate sexual acts may develop a paraphilia concerning that very act.

Treatment

For treatment of sexual paraphilia, drugs that regulate testosterone levels and arousal levels have been used to reduce the sexual arousal while the therapy continues. Antidepressants have been used to reduce sex drive but they do little about the fantasies. Psychoanalytic approach and hypnosis have been used in therapy. In some cases, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (a therapy which focuses on conversations regarding how one’s thoughts and beliefs can affect his/her actions) and systematic desensitization (systematically and gradually letting go of such odd fantasies) have been used to cause a reduction in the conditioning of the fantasy and sexual arousal. Prolonged therapy and medications are used largely for the treatment of paraphilia. For the ones that are a threat to the society, quarantine (separating the extreme paraphilic cases from the rest of the society) is suggested in some countries.