Many women don’t notice any symptoms when they have an STI, including most women who have chlamydia
Vaginal dryness A common problem that many women have at some point in their lives, vaginal dryness can cause soreness, itching and pain or discomfort during sex, and you may need to urinate more often than usual. Several things can cause vaginal dryness, including the menopause, breastfeeding, taking contraceptive pills, taking antidepressants, having a hysterectomy (where your uterus – or womb – is surgically removed) and having treatment for cancer. According to the NHS there are some
things you can use yourself at home that may help – try the following to keep your vagina healthy:
• Use water-based lubricants before having sex.
• Try products called vaginal moisturisers (don’t use any other type of moisturisers or creams or lotions such as petroleum jelly in your vagina).
• Avoid perfumed soaps, washes and douches in and around your vagina, as well as scented wipes and vaginal deodorants (try using plain water and a non-allergenic soap instead).
How your pharmacist can help Vaginal lubricants and moisturisers are available at pharmacies without a prescription. However if you’ve tried these for a few weeks and there hasn’t been any improvement, ask to speak to your pharmacist in private. They may recommend that you see your GP, as your vaginal dryness may be caused by changes in your hormone levels.
Is it an STI?
According to the NHS it’s normal to produce clear or white secretions (discharge) from your vagina. This is mucus that’s produced naturally from the cervix, which is the neck of the uterus. Some people may think that any
discharge might be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However in women, a clear or white discharge is usually healthy. But if it’s yellow or green in colour and has a strong smell, it could be a sign of an STI. Other symptoms of STIs in women
include bleeding between periods or after sex, pain during sex and low abdominal pain. STI symptoms that affect both men and women include pain during urination, itching, burning or tingling around the genitals, and blisters, sores, spots or lumps around the genitals or anus. Many women don’t notice any
symptoms when they have an STI, including most women who have chlamydia. This is why it’s important to practise safe sex, which means always using condoms to protect yourself from catching or passing on an STI.
Ask your local Careway pharmacist about condoms that have been tested to high safety standards (look for the CE mark or BSI kite mark on the packet).
All About health 21
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