Your body’s largest organ? The skin. It covers everything, from head to toe — including your vagina. It comes as no surprise, then, that sex can affect your skin below the belt in more ways than one and... well, let's just say it ain't always pretty. In fact, it's oftentimes downright icky. STDs and infections aside, there are a slew of not-so-pleasant skin conditions you can get from intercourse with a partner. Curious? Read on below to learn all about which nasty skin problems you can get from knockin' boots.
n!
An allergic reaction to the condom. Do your lady bits feel super itchy or irritated after sex? And if so, do you typically feel these sensations after you’ve used a latex condom? Sometimes even instantly as you come into contact with a rubber? Bad news: You might have a latex allergy, Kyrin Dunston, M.D., ob-gyn, tells Women’s Health.
An allergic reaction to the condom. The good news? There’s an easy fix: Stash a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream by your bed so you can apply it your vagina after a reaction, Dunston advises. Though the cream might initially burn you below the belt, you can gently apply an ice pack to cool things off. Not to mention, you can opt for lambskin condoms which function as a good alternative to latex.
An allergic reaction to the condom. That said, lambskin condoms are not the best alternative in terms of protecting yourself from STDs. “I always caution women that lambskin condoms do not protect against STD transmission,” Dunston tells Women’s Health. So if you can’t use latex, perhaps the best thing to do is get tested with your partner before getting intimate. (Or sticking to that hydrocortisone cream and ice pack!)
An allergic reaction to a fluid. Although it’s super rare, you can, in fact, be allergic to your partner’s semen. Still, only around 40,000 women across the country suffer from this condition, so chances are you don’t. Here’s what’s more likely: Being allergic to a soap your guy is using down below. If this is the case, kindly suggest that he switch to a hypoallergenic soap, Dunston tells Women’s Health.
An allergic reaction to a fluid. Semen and soap aside, you can also suffer an allergic reaction during sex from either spermicidal jelly or lube. However, it does take some investigating to figure out exactly what is causing the reaction. For example, if you’ve ruled out that your partner’s soap isn’t what’s irritating you, you might need to steer clear of that new lube to see if that’s the culprit. A little detective work goes a long way, ladies!
An allergic reaction to a fluid. Solve your allergic reaction by applying some Cortaid, which an over-the-counter topical steroid, to your vulva. Oh, and don’t worry: You don’t need to approve this with your ob-gyn. Just make sure that "when it comes to applying topical steroids, opt for creams instead of ointments because creams adhere better to your vagina, which is lined with a mucus membrane,” according to Women’s Health.
An allergic reaction to a fluid. Another option? Witch Hazel compresses, such as Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads. While Tucks is usually advertised as hemorrhoid relief, it can be used on an inflamed hoo-ha. “In severe situations, systemic steroids may be required, but that is unusual,” Dunston tells Women’s Health. Best bet? Talking to your doctor about your options so that you can avoid an allergic reaction during future sex sessions.
A skin tear. A skin tear after vaginal sex? Possible, but not likely. A skin tear after anal sex? Possible — and very likely. “If a man is particularly large, or the sex is particularly rough, then small lacerations can occur,” Dunston explains to Women’s Health. In terms of vaginal tears, they usually occur at the vaginal opening where the vulva meets the vagina. For the most part, they cause a burning feeling, though they can lead to some bleeding as well.
A skin tear. If the tear is super small, a warm-water Sitz Bath from your local CVS or Duane Reade can ease most of the discomfort. "You can usually find these shallow baths, which are commonly used for post-partum relief, for under $10 and they attach to your toilet,” according to Women’s Health. However, if the tear doesn’t stop bleeding or is extremely painful, it’s best to call your doc to make an appointment.
A skin tear. And what about rectal tears? Unsurprisingly, rectal tissue is way more sensitive than vaginal tissue, so tears back there are typically extremely painful. Not to mention, if you have a rectal tear the discomfort is not just next-level, it’s also constant. What’s worse, the pain triples when you go number two, Dunston says.
A skin tear. For this reason, its imperative that you call your doctor’s office for a stool softener and suppositories. "To prevent these tears in the future, use lubrication,” Women’s Health reports — and a lot of it. If you’re particularly kinky, you can also try incorporating anal beads prior to trying the real thing.
Trichomnoiasis. Ever heard of trichomnoiasis? We didn’t think so. As a lesser-known STD, trichomnoiasis differs from chlamydia and gonorrhea because it actually does cause vaginal skin irritation. If you think there’s no way you can have it, think again: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the condition affects an estimtated 3.7 million people in the U.S. In other words, it’s pretty common.
Trichomnoiasis. While men typically have no symptoms, trichomnoiasis causes a foul-smelling discharge, genital itching, and painful urination in women. In addition, it can cause painful skin irritation. What’s more, complications include a risk of premature delivery for pregnant women.
Trichomnoiasis. Think you might have contracted the infection? First thing’s first, get you and your partner to a physician so that you can be properly diagnosed. If diagnosed, the doctor will give you and your partner some antibiotics which should clear up the infection within a couple days. But for your future’s sake, always make sure to use condoms to reduce your risk of not just transmitting trichomoniasis, but other STDs as well.
Vaginal irritation. Lastly, if your vagina is itchy and irritated — and you notice an icky smell — it could very likely be that you forgot to take out a tampon during sex and it’s not stuck up in your vaginal canal. Yes, seriously. “The most interesting cause of skin issues after intercourse I have ever seen was when a woman came in complaining that she had a foul-smelling discharge and vaginal irritation,” Dunston dished to Women’s Health. The culprit? A lost tampon.
Vaginal irritation. If you think you have a tampon lodged in your vaginal canal, the first thing you’ll want to do is try to remove the device yourself. Gently, of course. If you’re unable to do it, call your doctor ASAP. "The longer your tampon stays lodged in there, the more likely you are to get an infection,” Women’s Health concludes.
No comments:
Post a Comment