Dr. Jagadish

Rectal problems in women are quite common. It is experienced by many women in some form or the other such as rectal itching, pain or bleeding. Rectal problems are more common in women than in men. These conditions need to be attended to immediately as severe rectal problems may cause several health problems. There are many ways to deal with rectal problems in women.

Treating rectal itching: Rectal itching is a common rectal problem. These can be treated by

• Improve hygiene: You should clean the rectum area gently using cotton balls moistened with water. You should apply mild ointments to prevent irritation and soothe the skin.
• Unscented toilet paper or unscented lotions and creams: You should use white toilet paper that does not have any scent. Scented soaps, creams or lotions should be avoided as it may cause further irritation. You can also apply ointments containing 1% hydrocortisone.
• Control excessive sweating: Rectal problems may occur due to excess sweating. You should avoid sweating too much by wearing light clothes and using talcum powder for the absorption of moisture.

In case of excessive itching, you should follow the following tips:

• Do not scratch the area as scratching may lead to further itching. You can take an oral antihistamine during the night to get better sleep.
• You can take a warm sitz bath after every bowel movement, for at least three days, every day. The anus should be dried properly after the bath.
• Abstain from foods that stimulate rectal itching like tea, coffee, aerated drinks, alcohol, chocolate, spicy food, tomatoes and excess vitamin C, for a period of two weeks.
• You must maintain short fingernails to avoid injuries during scratching. To prevent unconscious scratching during sleep, wear cotton gloves.
• Stress should be managed as increased stress may lead to enhanced rectal itching. When you are anxious, do not scratch the rectal area.

Treating rectal bleeding: Rectal bleeding is another problem, which may be accompanied by other rectal problems. In case of rectal bleeding, avoid taking aspirin or any other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug. These drugs may cause bleeding in the digestive tract. This will increase the blood amount in your stool. Bleeding hemorrhoids can worsen by the intake of these medicines. For soothing pain, opt for an acetaminophen. Constipation and diarrhoea may also lead to rectal bleeding. However, it is advised to consult a doctor before consuming any medicine.

Prevention
For prevention of rectal problems, you must have a good sense of hygiene. Keep the rectum region clean and avoid sitting in the toilet for a long time. You should have a fiber-rich diet including fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid food items, which may cause rectal problems. General rectal problems are not very serious and can be treated using simple measures. Maintaining proper rectal hygiene is very important to avoid rectal problems. It is highly recommended to visit a doctor if the problem persists.

Pain during or after sexual intercourse is known as dyspareunia. Although this problem can affect men, it is more common in women. Women with dyspareunia may have pain in the vagina, clitoris or labia. There are numerous causes of dyspareunia, many of which are treatable. 

Common causes include the following:

1. Vaginal dryness
2. Atrophic vaginitis, a common condition causing thinning of the vaginal lining in postmenopausal women
3. Side effects of drugs such as antihistamines and tamoxifen (Nolvadex and other brands)
4. An allergic reaction to clothing, spermicides or douches
5. Endometriosis, an often painful condition in which tissue from the uterine lining migrates and grows abnormally inside the pelvis
6. Inflammation of the area surrounding the vaginal opening, called vulvar vestibulitis
7. Skin diseases, such as lichen planus and lichen sclerosus, affecting the vaginal area
8. Urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, or sexually transmitted diseases
9. Psychological trauma, often stemming from a past history of sexual abuse or trauma.

Symptoms of Dyspareunia:
Women with dyspareunia may feel superficial pain at the entrance of the vagina or deeper pain during penetration or thrusting of the penis. Some women also may experience severe tightening of the vaginal muscles during penetration, a condition called vaginismus.

Diagnosis:
Your health practitioner will check for the following things

1. If there was ever a time you had painless intercourse or if you have always had dyspareunia
2. If you have enough natural lubrication and if your symptoms improve when you use commercially available lubricants
3. About your sexual history (to help assess your risk for sexually transmitted infections)
4. If you have ever been sexually abused or had a traumatic injury involving your genitals.

Treatment:

1. Lubrication with an over-the-counter lubricant such as K-Y jelly.
2. Antifungal medication(if you have any kind of fungal infection)
3. Sitz baths for removing the inflammation
4. For skin diseases affecting the vaginal area, lichen sclerosus and lichen planus often improve with steroid creams.
5. Therapies include topical estrogen cream, low-dose pain medications, and physical therapy with biofeedback to lower the muscle tension in the pelvic floor
6. Surgeries can also be prescribed for abnormal growths

For dyspareunia that has no apparent physical cause or has lasted for months or years, you may need psychological counseling to address stress or anxiety regarding sexual intercourse. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.

Gastritis is a very common health issue and is faced by all all age groups. There are many factors that lead to gastritis or compound the already existing situation. Basically, gastritis is swelling of stomach lining. Spicy food, medicines, tobacco, alcohol etc. can cause or increase the gastric acid production and disturb, weaken or damage the normal stomach lining.

Gastritis is of two types:

1. Acute gastritis, which occurs suddenly
2. Chronic gastritis, which develops over a period of time

In India, gastritis is a very common disorder which occurs at any age but is more widespread in the adolescent age group (12-17 years).

Gastritis occurs when there is an imbalance between the acid production and damage to the stomach lining, resulting in swelling of the stomach lining. However, sometimes gastritis can cause pain in the upper part of the abdomen and may lead to stomach ulcers.

Symptoms of gastritis vary among individuals, and in many people there are even no symptoms. It also depends on the duration of disease, whether it is acute (happening suddenly) or chronic (causing symptoms over a long period of time).

The most common symptoms of acute gastritis include:

1. Water brashes (sour fluid or tasteless saliva into the mouth)
2. Belching (expelling air from the stomach through the mouth)
3. Abdominal bloating or stomach fullness
4. Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
5. Nausea/feeling of vomiting
6. Irregular bowel movement
7. Recurrent indigestion

Simple natural ways to treat gastritis:

1. Taking half a gram of long pepper powder with honey is an effective way to curb gastritis. It is advisable to take this mixture twice a day.
2. Triphla powder is a very good Ayurvedic remedy to treat gastritis. Boil one tablespoon of Triphla powder in one glass of water, reduce it to half its content and then filter it. Consume it hot after dinner.Fennel seeds also very efficiently deals with the condition of gastritis. It is advisable to chew half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after food to keep gastritis at bay.
3. Readily available lemon also helps relieve feeling of nausea and bloating. Having lemon juice subsides vomiting sensation and bloating.
4. Triphla powder is a very good Ayurvedic remedy to treat gastritis. Boil one tablespoon of Triphla powder in one glass of water, reduce it to half its content and then filter it. Consume it hot 20 minutes after dinner.