Do you talk about sex with your doctor or gynecologist? Find out our top 4 reasons you should be discussing your sexual health with a professional.
Do you feel that sex should be a completely private affair?
You’re not alone. However, if you never discuss the topic of sex with your doctor, you could be putting yourself at risk for all sorts of problems that go beyond your physical health.
We’ll take a look at four distinct advantages of talking about sex with your doctor.
1. Improved Reproductive Health
When a woman chooses to become pregnant, the focus becomes the pregnancy and the baby. And the issue of sex can become confusing.
Yet, women who have sex regularly have more regular periods and a reduced risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy. All of this leads to better reproductive health. Women engaged in intercourse three or more times per month have less vaginal wall thinning and dryness than those having it less than once per month.
So it’s important that pregnant women — or those planning to become pregnant — talk openly about sex with their doctors.
2. Stronger Marriage Through Sex
A strong marriage depends, to some extent, on positive sexual wellness. It’s an important component of how successfully bonded a couple is.
Yet, in many marriages, one partner is not as interested in sex as the other. When the woman loses interest, she may just shut down and “perform” to keep the man happy. This can build resentment.
By the same token, if the man loses interest, it can lead the woman to feel poorly about herself and her appearance. In either case, this is a threat to a healthy relationship.
Being able to discuss sexual dysfunction with her doctor can help a woman open up the lines of communication so the couple can begin to build solutions.
3. Sexual History Matters
Women may feel that their gynecologist is judging them when they answer questions about how many partners they’ve had, whether they’ve had any STDs, how old they were when they had sex the first time, etc. They’re not though.
Doctors need this information to determine risk factors for conditions such as cervical dysplasia and HPV infection, as well as to understand ramifications of certain STDs. At the end of the day, they want to ensure that you’re receiving the best care and this requires them to understand your sexual history.
4. Better Sexual Health During Midlife
Some women believe that if doctors don’t ask about sex, then it must not be important to discuss. But as women age and approach perimenopause and menopause, it becomes even more important for them to discuss sex with their doctors.
For many women in this stage, sex can become painful. And because there are so many shifts in and imbalances with hormones, many women struggle with other symptoms related to this.
Over the years, women were told all of this was just in their heads. But now, doctors can be a valuable resource for hormone therapies and pharmaceuticals, as well as other products that don’t require a prescription such as sex toys and sexual health supplements.
Talk to Your Doctor
If sex is creating difficulty in your life — in terms of your physical or emotional health — then it’s important you talk to your doctor.
Don’t be ashamed! It’s a beautiful and natural part of life.
Meanwhile, check out the rest of our site to find more advice for a healthy life!
Author: Darcy Reed
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