Tag Archive for: sexual health

How Stress Impacts Your Sex Life

We have all experienced stress. Whether caused by work, school, or personal factors, stress can easily interfere with many elements of your life. But did you know that stress can impact your sex life, leading to low libido? 

Read more from our experts about how stress impacts your sex life!

Decreased Sexual Drive

When we are stressed, a chemical reaction occurs in our brain—also known as the “fight or flight” response—where stress produces too much of the hormone’s cortisol and epinephrine, which can lower libido. Not only does this increase our heart rate and blood pressure, but also decreases the desire to do non-essential functions, like sex. These combined, can also affect the menstrual cycle. 

Distracted Mind During Sex

When you’re stressed, your brain can only focus on one thing: being stressed. 

Having pleasurable sex requires attention, focus, and relaxation. Stress can cause you to have a busy mind and distract you from wanting sex or being present during sex. If you are having sex when you’re stressed or busy thinking of your piling “to do” list, chances are it’s more difficult to enjoy the moment. 

Hoping to turn this around? Having a healthy sex life while controlling stress is possible. Here are a few tips to consider:

  • Communicate with your partner. Communicate with your partner often and communicate honestly. Stress and low libido can affect a relationship. This is why it is important to talk with your partner. Having a general understanding of both parties’ feelings and emotions can often allow for more productive solutions. 
  • Practice self-care. Taking care of yourself and spending time doing things that you enjoy are great tools for managing stress. Tips for practicing self-care can include regular exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, doing activities you enjoy, meditation or deep breathing exercises, or spending the day or an evening pampering yourself like taking a bath. 
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seeking help from a doctor or mental health professional can make very positive impacts on your life. For those with a uterus, stress can also affect your menstrual cycle. It is important to inform your gynecologist about any changes to your period, even from stress. 

If you have further questions about how stress impacts your sex life, reach out to the experts at Avant Gynecology by clicking here or by giving us a call at (404) 352-2850.

Learn About the Health Impacts of Orgasms!

Sex is a pleasurable thing for most people. In addition to the pleasure it can bring, did you know there are also health benefits? In fact, for women, orgasms can have a long list of positive impacts on the body and on the mind. 

Keep reading to learn about the health impacts of orgasms from the experts at Avant Gynecology.

Physical Benefits

First, let’s dive into the physical, positive effects orgasms can have. 

Alleviates Pain

Women have regularly reported that if they were experiencing certain types of pain or discomfort, such as a headache, they find that it subsides after having an orgasm. This can be attributed to the fact that during an orgasm, large amounts of endorphins are released, which can impact how your body is experiencing pain.

Boosts Fertility 

Regular orgasms do many things to help boost a woman’s fertility. Examples include increasing the chance of pregnancy at any point during a women’s cycle, drawing in more sperm, and also boosting the immune system to help assist with fertilization. 

Helps with Heart Health 

For both men and women who regularly participate in sexual activity and experience orgasms, they will experience a lowered risk for hypertension, rapid heart rate, and most cardiovascular diseases. 

Helps Out Your Immune System 

After orgasming, the levels of white blood cells in your body increase. This means that your immune system has a boost for fighting off any illnesses.

Mental Health Benefits 

Physical health isn’t the only area of health that’s impacted by orgasms. Here are the ways your mental health can also benefit. 

Deeper Connection with Partner

When you orgasm, a large level of the hormone oxytocin is released into your system. This is a powerful tool to help foster a stronger connection with your partner. That’s why after-sex cuddles can be a fantastic thing to engage in. It builds a stronger connection with your partner that only increases the enjoyment of your relationship. 

Increased Focus 

Similar to the above effect, the hormones released after an orgasm has been shown to increase the amount of brain activity you experience. This means more focus, better sleep, less stress, and a better ability to think through problems. 

If you have further questions about the health impacts of orgasms or general sexual health topics, reach out to the experts at Avant Gynecology by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-352-2850.

Yes, You Can Get An Infection Down There: What to Know About Vaginal Infections

Burning, itching, and discomfort. No one wants to experience those sensations anywhere, let alone in our most sensitive areas. But, for the 200,000 women who have vaginal infections in the United States each year, this is an uncomfortable reality.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about vaginal infections, their causes, and how to treat them.

What are Vaginal Infections?

Vaginal infections are defined as the infection or inflammation of the vagina and any of its parts. Some of the most common vaginal infections are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, STDs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, and even allergies.

What Causes Vaginal Infections?

The causes can vary dramatically depending on what type of infection you have. However, here are the most common:

  • Sexual intercourse with someone who has an STD.
  • Overgrowth of bacteria or fungi.
  • Reduced level of hormones, leading to vaginal thinness and dryness.
  • Soaps or other beauty products that can irritate the skin in that area.
  • Tight clothing.

What Are the Symptoms?

Much like causes, the symptoms can vary greatly from situation to situation. It can also be tricky to distinguish between normal vaginal characteristics and those that indicate an infection.

For instance, did you know that some discharge from your vagina is totally normal—and is, in fact, the vagina’s way of cleaning itself? That being said, unusual types of vaginal discharge can be a sign something is wrong.

Other signs include:

  • Burning sensation when peeing
  • Discomfort during sex
  • Itching
  • Vaginal discharge that has changed in color, weight, or smell
  • Burning
  • Bleeding
  • Soreness
  • Swelling

How Are Vaginal Infections Treated?

The good news is that there are several different methods for treatment, so suffering does not have to last long. There are a handful of creams, tablets, and gels that a doctor can prescribe to immediately relieve the symptoms described above and begin to treat or manage the infection. The specific type of treatment prescribed will depend on the infection type, patient history, and any pre-existing conditions.

If you have any more questions or would like to discuss treatment options, contact the experts at Avant Gynecology by clicking here or give us a call at 404-352-2850.