The Sunday News
Hi Sis Noe
MY friend has a yeast infection and I am afraid that I might get it. How do I prevent it? — Worried.
Reply
While you need not spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about getting a yeast infection, it is smart to think about how to prevent one. To prevent a yeast infection in the first place, follow a nutritious eating plan. Eating yoghurt that contains live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus has been shown to be especially beneficial in counteracting yeast. Get enough sleep.
This will keep your body’s defences working well, making you less prone to infections. Avoid using scented soap, deodorant, and/ or antibacterial products in and around the genital area. These include soaps, sprays, powders, toilet paper, tampons, or other feminine hygiene products. Wear pads or panty-liners only when you are menstruating or spotting. Don’t use douches.
Douching may alter the normal balance of good and bad vaginal bacteria as well as spread the bad organisms from the vagina into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics. Like douching, antibiotics can change the normal balance of vaginal organisms.
Keep your vaginal area dry. Change out of your swimming suit as soon as possible after swimming. Warm and moist environments are great breeding grounds for yeast. Wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
This will help to minimise the spread of faecal bacteria to the vagina. Because cotton breathes more easily than synthetic fabrics, many women find that wearing cotton underwear decreases their risk of developing a yeast infection. Avoiding tight fitting clothing also helps by decreasing body heat and moisture in the vaginal area. While a yeast infection is certainly not a pleasant experience, there is no need to spend too much time worrying. Yeast is a normal part of your vaginal canal, but sometimes the growth gets out of hand. A yeast infection may be uncomfortable, but it is easy to treat and manage.
Hi Sis Noe
I am wondering if washing immediately and thoroughly after intercourse helps prevent pregnancy. — Curious.
Reply
Washing immediately after sex may give you a squeaky clean feeling, but it will not help prevent pregnancy. Showering or bathing after sex can help clear the vulva of semen. Douching (which is not recommended by women’s health care providers for many reasons) may even clear some semen out of the vagina. However, neither of these can flush out sperm that have already entered the uterus through the cervix. This is a myth that may have grown out of the (common 19th century) idea that douching could help remove semen. However, studies have shown that douching is not an effective contraception. There are many other (water not required) ways to prevent pregnancy including condoms, the pill, and IUDs to name a few. Also, if you are seeking a post-sex birth control solution, you can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.
Hi Sis Noe
My husband is lying to me continuously, what I should do about it? — Stressed.
Reply
Knowing that someone you love is lying to you is an awful thing to be going through. You need to tell your husband that you know that he is hiding the truth from you, and there is no need to. You should be a team and tackle difficult situations together, not leave it all for one person. Why don’t you try being more honest and open with your husband, and perhaps in turn he will do the same? If not then you both need to have a serious chat about your relationship and whether it is working out. But first, see if you can think of why he feels that he can’t tell you the truth. If he did would your reaction be exaggerated, or is it just that you do not give him the support that he needs? You need to think about your relationship and try and see if there is any reason why he can’t put his trust in you. Sit down together and talk about it. Things like this won’t just go away, and need nipping in the bud before it’s too late.
Hi Sis Noe
I have been married for a year, the problem is that I ejaculate quickly and my wife is not satisfied. I am scared that she will cheat on me to get satisfied. — Help.
Reply
Have you tried foreplay first? It may be that you are rushing into the sex and not getting her wet enough or turned on enough before you enter. Try oral sex or perhaps give her some clitoral stimulation with your fingers to get her more in the mood.
This will make her come faster. For you, it may be that you could use a thicker condom that prolongs ejaculation, as this will mean you can go for longer, giving her the chance to climax too. Also some positions are more effective in getting your wife to climax such as doggy style, where you can reach round and pleasure her at the same time, or spooning. The important thing is to experiment and find out what works for you both. Come to think of it — have you discussed why she is not climaxing?
Could it be that she is uncomfortable? Lacks confidence, there can be lots of reasons why she doesn’t climax. It’s good to talk about the possible causes for this. Lacking in confidence in the bedroom is one of the biggest causes for women not climaxing at the same time as their partners or at all. Try and make her feel good about how she is in the bedroom by complimenting her and telling her about the good things she does to you.
