Being Women’s Health week there is no better time to bring to light women’s issues that have traditionally been swept under the carpet. As a woman your health is sometimes put off as the last thing on your agenda, but isn’t it about time that you make it a bigger priority?
Pregnancy and menopause can wreck havoc on your body, and the vagina is the one area that can bear the brunt of issues. I have seen my fair share of post-pregnancy and menopause issues; many women experience incontinence, vaginal laxity and dryness and decreased enjoyment with sex. However, with advanced in technology in recent years, hormone free, non-invasive and non-surgical treatment options are now available to effectively improve these symptoms as well as the cosmetic appearance of the vaginal area. Many women are suffering through symptoms that they simply don’t need to put up with anymore.
Despite doing pelvic floor exercises, many women leak urine with coughing, sneezing and during exercise or getting up multiple times in the night to go to the toilet. Other women notice some bulging of the vagina and comment that either they or their partners notice that sex doesn’t feel quite the same. Some women even develop or have underlying conditions such as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) that are unlikely to improve over time without treatment.
For women today though, no matter what your age, you can now be proactive with your intimate health. There is no need to put up with incontinence, laxity, dryness or decreased sensations with arousal. There are a whole range of non-surgical devices that provide treatment and relief for these issues. Not every method is suitable for every woman however, so it is best to see a qualified gynaecologist for an initial assessment. The Emsella chair is just one device that treats incontinence by sitting in the chair fully clothes for 30 minutes. Through electromagnetic energy it achieves the same a doing 11,2000 pelvic floor exercises. I have seen it make a huge impact for women with mild to moderate incontinence that comes with a laugh or a sneeze, but also improve the quality of life for more severe cases where women have been on track for survey, with having to change incontinence pads multiple times a day.
Depending on each particular case, often now there is no need to go down the path of survey. Other traditional treatment methods such as vaginal mesh or tapes have had increasing negative publicity with many cases of severe adverse reactions. In fact, these procedures are no longer allowed in Australia. Medication also may not be suitable for all women, especially those wanting to avoid hormone therapies.
With the availability of these new technologies and the advances in medical knowledge, problems which have prevented women from leading full lives with everyday activities can be overcome. Leading by example and being strong role models, we can make a difference in our own lives and those of our mothers, sisters, daughters and girlfriends. It is time to enjoy full, healthy lives and celebrate being a woman!
Dr Sonya Jessup BJB, MBChB, MReprodMed, FRANZCOG, ESAG is a respected gynaecologist with over 15 years experience. She is now working on the Northern Beaches to provide women with intimate health solutions. She established the Elsa Clinic after recognising the need for better, non-surgical treatment options for women, in particular those with urinary incontinence and post-pregnancy issues.
She is hosting 2 free information sessions at the clinic (in Mona Vale) – one on post-pregnancy on the 10th of September and one on menopause on the 13th of September.
Call 9979 8832 or visit The Elsa Clinic’s Facebook page to find out more.