4 pharmacy products for women’s intimate health

In the content I regularly publish on my blog, I highlight the role of physiotherapy, the right physical exercise, good eating habits and correct posture as preventive factors for injuries and conditions related to women’s pelvic floor.

Unfortunately, it’s still not very common for us women to talk about the pelvic floor and intimate hygiene. That, together with the big changes that happen in a woman’s body during pregnancy and postpartum, means that it’s more common than it should be to see a specialist only once the problem has already appeared.

To strengthen the prevention of some of the most common pelvic injuries, or to treat them if they’ve already occurred, I’ve turned to the best pharmacy advice and products that I recommend to my own patients.

Vaginal yeast infection: symptoms and treatment

Vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis) is a genital infection caused by fungi that affects almost half of the patients I see in my clinic, either because of related symptoms or because they’ve had it before.

In the pelvic floor, the symptoms it causes are vaginal pain, pain during sex, vulvar hypersensitivity or chronic pelvic pain. Other symptoms include:

• Diarrhea or chronic constipation.
• Excessive sugar cravings.
• Vaginal pain, vulvar hypersensitivity.
• Bad breath.
• Muscle and joint pain (symptoms similar to fibromyalgia).
• Anxiety, depression.
• Skin rashes.
• Abdominal pain.
• Insomnia.
• Premenstrual tension.
• Low sex drive.
• Dry mouth or throat.

Treatment for vaginal yeast infection has a part related to diet (avoiding sweets and sugar as much as possible), another related to reducing stress, and also a therapeutic part based on moderate-intensity exercise to improve joint mobility and muscle tone.

As for products to use at home, pelvic pain can be eased with gradual stretching using vaginal dilators.

Vulvar varicose veins: causes and remedies

Another complaint related to feminine hygiene and the pelvic floor is vulvar varicose veins, especially during pregnancy, when the blood vessels dilate more. Cases outside pregnancy are very rare, though not impossible.

Venous insufficiency and the pressure of the fetus are the main causes of vulvar varicose veins, and treatment involves:

• Applying cold to the perineal area.
• Wearing a pelvic support belt, which helps take pressure off the pelvic area.
• Wearing compression stockings every day.
• Resting on your left side.
• Lying down with your legs up every day, for at least 20–30 minutes.
• Using an ergonomic footstool to make bowel movements easier.
• Gently massaging the perineal area with special oils.

Menstrual cup

Using a menstrual cup instead of pads is another practice I recommend for hygiene, comfort and saving money.

For the correct use of the menstrual cup, there’s a golden rule: the content (the cup) must fit its container (the vagina). Otherwise, we’ll most likely have leaks and stain our underwear. So success doesn’t depend only on inserting the cup correctly or on which cup we use, but also on the condition of the vaginal canal and the pelvic floor.

If the pelvic floor is weak or lax, it won’t hold the cup properly. That’s why, after a vaginal birth, it may not be the best time to use or go back to the menstrual cup, since it’s recommended to rehabilitate and strengthen the pelvic floor first.

Cesarean scar: care and recommended products

Finally, for mothers who give birth by cesarean, it’s important to look after the scar to avoid adhesions.

After about 7 to 10 days, a scar forms on the top layer (the skin), although the internal tissues that were also cut need up to three months to heal.

Once the first cesarean scar has formed, care can begin. It mainly involves applying rosehip oil and moisturizers rich in vitamin E to the skin of the lower abdomen and the scar, but without deep massage. After a month, we can start deep massage.

In addition to these products, the right physical exercise and a check-up with a specialist should be added for the proper care of the cesarean scar.