by SXHH Marketing | Nov 29, 2021 | Aesthetics
When you’re looking for innovative aesthetic treatments for deep wrinkles around your nose and mouth, Sculptra® dermal fillers may be a great option for you. Deep facial lines and wrinkles make many people feel self-conscious. Treatments to help reduce the appearance of these wrinkles can help you feel more confident. Sculptra injections are a simple, convenient option for natural-looking results for wrinkles on your face.
What Are Sculptra Aesthetic Treatments?
Sculptra fillers are aesthetic treatments to help reduce deep wrinkles on your face by boosting collagen production.
Sculptra is one of the aesthetic injectables we offer at our clinics. These dermal fillers are injected into the skin to help reverse the signs of aging, such as deep wrinkles, folds, and creases. Sculptra fillers contain poly L lactic acid (PLLA), which helps stimulate collagen production in your dermis. Collagen is the protein that makes up the structure of your skin. As we age, collagen production slows down, which can lead to your face looking hollow, sunken, or deeply creased. Sculptra aesthetic injections are typically used to treat deep lines around the nose and mouth, such as smile lines and chin wrinkles.
Sculptra is an innovative option for aesthetic treatments. Other fillers, like Juvéderm® and Restylane®, use hyaluronic acid gel, which sits under the skin to fill in problem areas. These fillers are great for smaller, finer lines and wrinkles, they typically aren’t recommended for deep wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid fillers also typically last for 6 to 18 months. Sculptra, on the other hand, gets deep into the dermis to help increase your natural collagen production. This can help with deeper wrinkles and adding volume to hollow or empty areas. Results can last for up to two years before needing retreatment, often just one injection per year afterwards. Because Sculptra injections target collagen production, they help target the cause of wrinkles, rather than simply masking the effects.
How Do Sculptra Dermal Fillers Work?
If you’re interested in Sculptra injections, the first step is making an appointment with our team to discuss your options and get a consultation. This appointment is where we talk about your desired results and expectations, the particulars of the treatment based on your situation, and discuss the potential risks and side effects. If you’re a good candidate for Sculptra dermal fillers, then our aesthetic professionals perform the treatment in our office. This involves injecting the Sculptra poly L lactic acid gel into areas of your face to stimulate collagen production for a more youthful appearance.
After Sculptra aesthetic treatments, you can typically go back to your normal activities immediately after. You might experience mild symptoms or side effects such as swelling, tenderness, redness, or bruising. These typically get better within a few days. To help with any swelling or tenderness, you can use cold compresses on your face for a few minutes at a time. In most cases you can also use makeup to cover any light bruising you experience.
An important part of recovery is to massage the treated area. This helps distribute the Sculptra gel. While it’s important to talk about your specific instructions with our provider, typically this involves massaging the area for about five minutes at a time, five times a day, for five days after treatment.
You might notice results immediately after treatment, but it can take several weeks to a couple of months to see full results. In addition, you may need multiple treatments. Many women receive three treatments over the course of three or four months for optimal results.
Advantages of Sculptra Aesthetic Treatments
Sculptra dermal fillers offer many benefits for people looking to improve the look of wrinkles and achieve a more youthful appearance on the face. Our aesthetic professionals can discuss these treatments based on your unique circumstances and expectations, but here are a few reasons why so many people are choosing Sculptra injections for facial rejuvenation.
Natural, Gradual Results from Sculptra Aesthetic Treatments
Sculptra aesthetic treatments are a minimally-invasive way to get natural-looking results for deep wrinkles. Because poly L lactic acid stimulates your body’s collagen production, these injectables offer gradual and natural results. Collagen takes around four to eight weeks to produce after Sculptra treatments, so your skin can improve over time. Therefore, these are a good solution if you want a more youthful look without having people ask you whether you’ve had work done.
Long-Lasting Results for Facial Rejuvenation
Another great benefit of this innovative aesthetic treatment is that it offers long-lasting results. While everyone is different, results can last up to two years without more injections. This is longer than many other types of dermal fillers. In addition, some people may need only one treatment a year afterwards to help maintain their Sculptra results.
Aesthetic Treatments for Deep Wrinkles and Folds
Sculptra dermal fillers are also one of the few minimally-invasive options to help with deep lines and wrinkles. Other fillers or even neurotoxins like Botox are typically recommended for fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, if you have severe wrinkles around your mouth and nose, Sculptra may offer better results than many other aesthetic treatments. Our team can help you determine which treatments are right for you based on your health and desired results.
Practically No Downtime with Sculptra
Also, Sculptra aesthetic injectables don’t require downtime for most people. In fact, many people leave our office and go right back to their normal activities. Unlike cosmetic surgery, there’s generally no need to take off weeks of work for recovery or avoid certain activities. Aside from massaging the treated area throughout the day, recovery is pretty simple for most people.
Disadvantages of Sculptra Aesthetic Injectables
Of course, Sculptra injections aren’t right for everyone, and there are some disadvantages. It’s important to understand these disadvantages, too, so you can make the right choice for you. Our providers can help you weigh the risks and benefits during your consultation, but here are a couple of disadvantages that may lead you to explore different options.
You Need Patience
We mentioned that the results from Sculptra are typically gradual, which for some people is a great benefit, but for others it’s a drawback. For these aesthetic treatments, you need patience to see results, as they can take one to three months to see and you may need multiple treatments. Other treatments, like hyaluronic acid fillers, are often instant, which can make waiting for Sculptra results difficult for some people. If you are looking for fast results, other treatments may be better for you.
You Can’t Use Sculptra on the Lips or Eyes
If you have crows feet or wrinkles close to your lips, then you may be better off looking at other options. Sculptra isn’t recommended for use around the eyes or on the lips. Sculptra is approved for treating wrinkles in specific areas of the face, like smile lines and chin wrinkles. Therefore, if you’re looking for wrinkle treatments near the eyes and lips, consider other options.
Medical-Grade Aesthetic Treatments at HerKare
Our team at HerKare is here to help you feel your best, which we know often means looking your best, too. We offer non-invasive and minimally-invasive aesthetic treatments to help enhance your appearance. Our clinic offers individualized solutions based on your unique circumstances and lifestyle. Make an appointment today to talk to our providers about aesthetic treatment options.
by SXHH Marketing | Nov 19, 2021 | Menopause
Any type of vaginal bleeding after menopause is a sign to visit our gynecologist. Vaginal bleeding is not normal after you have reached menopause, which is 12 months without a period. If you’re experiencing postmenopausal bleeding, this is typically a symptom of an underlying health conditions, some of which can be serious or life-threatening. Let’s talk about what to do if you noticed postmenopausal bleeding, what to expect at our clinic, and some common causes of vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause? Visit our Gynecologist
Vaginal bleeding after menopause isn’t normal. Your gynecologist can help address your symptoms.
Any time you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with a women’s health care professional. While there is no reason to panic, you should take abnormal vaginal bleeding seriously, whether you’re experiencing light spotting or heavy flow.
An estimated 4% to 11% of women experience postmenopausal bleeding for one reason or another. Many women mistakenly believe that a little bleeding after menopause is no cause for concern and put off getting healthcare. However, we advise scheduling a gynecological services appointment as soon as possible to talk about your symptoms. While it may be something benign, postmenopausal bleeding can also be a sign of serious conditions like endometrial cancer. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so talk to one of our providers about abnormal bleeding.
What Will the Gynecologist Do for Postmenopausal Bleeding?
It’s understandable that you might be concerned about visiting our gynecologist to talk about postmenopausal bleeding. We realize that knowing what to expect during your appointment can help you feel more prepared and may help you feel better before and during your appointment. If you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding after menopause, our treatment providers may recommend a few things to help with diagnosis. In addition to talking about your symptoms, medical history, and relevant family history, the gynecologist may recommend different exams and procedures to help find the root cause.
Our Gynecologist will Likely Perform a Pelvic Exam
If you’re experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, our gynecologist will typically perform a pelvic exam. Pelvic exams can help our providers assess the health of your reproductive organs, like the vagina, uterus, cervix, and ovaries. During the exam, our provider may also screen for cervical cancer with a Pap test if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Our Gynecologist May Recommend an Ultrasound
In some cases, our gynecologist may recommend a pelvic ultrasound to get a closer look at your pelvic and to help determine the source of your postmenopausal bleeding. This ultrasound may be abdominal or it may be transvaginal. Transvaginal ultrasounds use a thin imaging “wand” placed inside the vagina to get more detailed pictures of your pelvic organs.
Our Gynecologist May Recommend Diagnostic Surgery
While less common, sometimes our doctors may recommend a diagnostic surgery called a hysteroscopy. This procedure allows the doctor to look inside your uterus with a small camera to look for potential causes of postmenopausal bleeding. During the procedure, the doctor may also take a tissue sample to send to the lab for testing to help diagnose the source of your abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Talk to Our Gynecologist about Possible Causes of Postmenopausal Bleeding
There may be many causes of your postmenopausal bleeding. Some of these causes are more serious than others. Visiting our women’s health clinic can help identify underlying causes of your postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and help determine a course of treatment to help relieve your symptoms.
Uterine or Cervical Polyps
Polyps are small, noncancerous growths. If you’re suffering from vaginal bleeding after menopause, polyps in the uterus or cervix may be to blame. Polyps can easily become irritated and bleed, which can lead to spotting or even heavy vaginal bleeding. Uterine and cervical polyps are pretty common and are unlikely to become malignant, but when they cause symptoms like vaginal bleeding, generally gynecologists recommend removing them with a surgical procedure.
Vaginal Atrophy
Low estrogen levels during menopause can cause vaginal atrophy, which is where the skin becomes thin and dry. Vaginal atrophy can make the vagina more delicate and more prone to tears which can lead to vaginal bleeding. For instance, if you experience vaginal bleeding after sex, it may be due to friction. If this is the cause of your postmenopausal bleeding, our treatment providers may recommend vaginal moisturizers, vaginal estrogen, or lubricants to help.
Thickening Uterine Lining
In some cases, you may experience endometrial thickening after menopause that causes vaginal bleeding. This is called endometrial hyperplasia and while it is not cancer, it can increase your risk for endometrial or uterine cancer. Depending on your risk factors, our gynecologist may recommend taking progesterone to thin out your uterine lining. For women with higher risks for cancer, you may consider a hysterectomy as treatment.
Some Medications
Certain medications can also cause vaginal bleeding as a side effect. For instance, some women experience postmenopausal bleeding when taking blood thinners. Postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy can experience vaginal bleeding as a side effect for the first six months of treatment. If you’re experiencing bleeding after menopause due to medications, we may explore changing your medications or recommend closely monitoring your symptoms to see if they change or get worse to determine if you may benefit from changing medications.
Infections
While rarer, endometrial infections can cause inflammation and vaginal bleeding after menopause. Doctors will generally prescribe antibiotics to help treat bacterial uterine infections. After treatment, your symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge should improve.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Another rare cause of postmenopausal bleeding are sexually transmitted infections. Infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause inflammation that may lead to abnormal vaginal bleeding. In these cases, treating the STI generally stops the postmenopausal bleeding.
Endometrial Cancer
While it’s rare, postmenopausal bleeding can be a sign of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus. About 10% of women who experience postmenopausal bleeding have endometrial cancer. However, an estimated 90% of women with endometrial cancer experience postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Therefore, while endometrial cancer isn’t a common cause of postmenopausal bleeding, it can be an early warning sign of endometrial cancer. When caught early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 95%. In later stages, the survival rate is much lower. Because of the seriousness of endometrial cancer, most doctors recommend visiting a gynecologist to talk about postmenopausal bleeding and any other symptoms you’re experiencing.
Gynecological and Women’s Health Care from HerKare
Our health professionals at HerKare are here to empower you to take control of your health. We provide total women’s health care for every stage of life. Whether you need preventative care or are experiencing concerning symptoms, we offer quality care in our warm, welcoming clinics. As a clinic owned and operated by women for women, we are here to provide health care that suits your lifestyle. Make an appointment at one of our clinics today.
by SXHH Marketing | Nov 5, 2021 | Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause
Many women notice that their sex drive starts to decline over time, particularly after menopause. In some cases, this may be due to lower testosterone levels. Testosterone is an important hormone in your body that plays a key role in libido. Some studies suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may help women improve low sex drive due to testosterone deficiency.
Testosterone replacement therapy may help increase your sex drive if you’re suffering from testosterone deficiency.
As we age, sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone start to decline. Testosterone is mostly made in your ovaries, though your adrenal glands, fat cells, and skin cells may also produce some testosterone. While women produce a lot less testosterone compared to men (about 1/10 to 1/20 the amount), low testosterone levels for women can still impact your health and your sex life.
Testosterone in Women
While we commonly think of testosterone as a male hormone, women also need testosterone for many reasons. Testosterone is necessary for producing red blood cells, maintaining bone density, and also plays an important role in sex drive. When it comes to libido, the hormone testosterone can act on our brains to increase sexual thoughts and desires. It can also increase blood flow to the genitals to enhance sensitivity in the vagina and clitoris. This may also affect libido as well as sexual satisfaction.
However, testosterone levels begin to decline as we age, particularly as we reach the perimenopause state in the late 30s and 40s. During this time, the ovaries start to slow down hormone production for testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. This can cause hormone levels to fluctuate and gradually decline leading up to menopause. With lower testosterone levels in your body, you might experience symptoms like low libido. Researchers have found a connection between low testosterone in women and lower sex drive. Studies have even found that women with low testosterone may have less sex on average than those with normal testosterone levels. Because of this connection, many women’s hormone care programs include testosterone to help improve sex drive and overall quality of life.
How Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy Affect Sex Drive?
Low libido due to testosterone deficiency can be distressing for many women. Some people experience stress and even relationship problems because of libido changes. Therefore, decreased sex drive can affect your quality of life in many ways. Many people mistakenly believe that low sex drive is a normal part of aging, but this isn’t necessarily true. Low sex drive can be caused by treatable conditions, like hormone changes during menopause. For instance, testosterone replacement therapy may help improve your symptoms.
Researchers are still studying the effects of testosterone replacement therapy for women. However, several studies have examined the link between testosterone and sex drive in women with interesting results. Studies have found that testosterone replacement therapy can increase several factors of sex drive and sexual satisfaction for postmenopausal women with low testosterone. Research suggests that testosterone can increase sexual desire, arousal, orgasmic response, pleasure, and even self-image based on interview responses. After beginning testosterone, many study participants also feel less distressed about their sexual function. Therefore, the evidence suggests testosterone therapy may help women who experience severely low sex drive after menopause.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) recognizes that testosterone replacement therapy for women may help some women improve sexual function. While testosterone for women is an off-label use, doctors may prescribe it to help with sex drive and sexual function. If you begin using testosterone therapy, NAMS recommends using the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time to help with symptoms. They also recommend discussing the risks and benefits thoroughly with a medical provider. After discussing the particulars, you and our doctors may determine to use testosterone therapy for better sex drive during and after menopause.
How Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Low Libido in Women Work?
If you’re experiencing low sex drive, there may be many different factors at play. Sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction are all very complex. Therefore, pinpointing the cause of low sex drive can be difficult. There may even be several different causes of your low libido. It’s also necessary to note that libido can change for many reasons and a lower sex drive occasionally isn’t necessarily abnormal. For instance, if you have a lower libido during a stressful project at work, but your symptoms improve after you complete the project, then you may have nothing to worry about. However, if you have persistent low libido that worries you or interferes with your quality of life, you should talk to one of our providers about your symptoms.
If you’re suffering from low libido, one of the first steps most doctors recommend is ruling out other causes. For instance, some other reasons you might experience low sex drive that aren’t related to testosterone include:
- Low estrogen
- Low progesterone
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful sex
- Relationship problems
- Some medications
- Other health problems like diabetes or hypothyroid
It’s important to identify underlying causes of low libido symptoms to find treatment solutions personalized to you. Some other treatments for severely low sex drive might include lifestyle changes, treating other health conditions, mental health treatments, or even couple’s counseling for relationship problems. For libido changes and other symptoms after menopause, our doctors may recommend beginning estrogen replacement therapy. If other treatments don’t work, or if no other explanation is found for your low sex drive, then it may be due to low testosterone levels. In these cases, you may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.
Beginning Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Low Sex Drive
While considering potential causes of low sex drive, our providers may recommend performing a blood test to determine how much testosterone is in your blood. Normal testosterone levels for women are between 15 and 75 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). If you have low testosterone levels in your blood and you’re experiencing low sex drive that interferes with your life or causes you distress, our providers may recommend beginning testosterone replacement therapy.
The goal of testosterone replacement therapy is to bring testosterone levels to normal ranges. Because hormones like estrogen and testosterone hold each other in balance, it’s common to pair testosterone with estrogen replacement therapy as well to help prevent testosterone dominance. Therefore, in most cases your treatment program will include both estrogen and testosterone bioidentical hormones.
While taking testosterone treatments for sex drive, our team monitors your health to help optimize your treatment. We may track your symptoms, take blood draws to evaluate your testosterone levels, and assess other health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Our team also monitors you for common side effects of testosterone replacement therapy, such as increased facial and body hair, increased LDL cholesterol, or mild acne. Our goal is to help you feel your best and find treatment solutions that work for you and your lifestyle.
Quality Women’s Hormone Care at HerKare
Our team at HerKare offers quality health care for every stage of your life. After menopause, we understand that many of the symptoms can interfere with daily life. We offer personalized hormone care to help alleviate your symptoms so you can feel your best. Our clinics are owned and managed by women for women, and we believe in empowering you to address your health. We listen to you and work with you to get to the bottom of your symptoms. If you’re suffering from low sex drive or other menopause symptoms, help is available at our clinics. Make an appointment today to start the path toward feeling better.
by SXHH Marketing | Oct 27, 2021 | Aesthetics
If you’re dealing with dull skin, hyperpigmentation, scarring, wrinkles, or other skin concerns, you might wonder what you can do to help revitalize your skin. Many of our patients mention skin concerns, but believe invasive cosmetic surgery is the only way to address signs of aging. Fortunately, innovations in skin care and aesthetic treatments mean there are many non-invasive and minimally-invasive options to help rejuvenate your skin and appearance. Medical-grade chemical peels from Jan Marini Skin Research® (JMSR) are incredibly effective and can help refresh and renew your skin with less downtime. If you’re looking for solutions for small imperfections, these chemical peels may help you improve the look of your skin and feel more confident.
What are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels can help with skin resurfacing to make your skin look refreshed.
Before we explain some of the benefits of the JMSR peel systems, it’s important to understand what chemical peels are. You might already be familiar with them, but as a quick overview. Chemical peels use a chemical solution, typically mild acids, applied to the skin for exfoliation. They can provide a deeper exfoliation than many home skin care products like scrubs and exfoliating brushes.
Modern chemical peels really got their start in the 1800s as treatments from dermatologists for conditions like melasma and hyperpigmentation. However, there’s a lot of evidence that some forms of chemical peels have been around since ancient times. For example, ancient Egyptians may have used lactic acid in sour milk as a skin care treatment similar to a chemical peel. Therefore, peels have been around for quite a while. However, they’re quickly gaining popularity as a simple, minimally-invasive option for aesthetic treatments.
Chemical peels can help with many cosmetic concerns on the skin. Many people use chemical peels as aesthetic treatments for their face, neck, and décolleté. Peels can help treat a wide range of conditions and signs of aging, including:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Discoloration
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dullness
- Acne scarring
Our treatment providers can help you choose a peel suited for your specific concerns and help you determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment.
How Can Chemical Peels Help Rejuvenate Skin?
So, how do chemical peels work? First, let’s talk about how your skin works. Your skin constantly turns over skin cells. The lower layers of your epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) form new skin cells. As your skin makes new cells, the older cells begin to die, change shape, and get pushed toward the very top layer of the skin. Eventually the dead skin cells shed off to make way for newer cells. However, sometimes you can get a buildup of dead skin cells. Dead skin cell buildup can clog your pores, make your skin look duller, emphasize lines and wrinkles, and even hold onto extra melanin, which is the cause of hyperpigmentation.
A chemical peel sloughs off these dead skin cells to reveal newer, fresher skin. After chemical peel treatments, many people notice their skin looks brighter, smoother, more even, and also even more youthful. Chemical peels offer deeper exfoliation than many other types of exfoliants that you might use at home. Therefore, regular peels can be a great addition to your regular skin routine.
What are Jan Marini Medical-Grade Chemical Peels?
Now you know some of the particulars about chemical peels, let’s go over some of the benefits of the Jan Marini peel system specifically. Medical-grade chemical peels from Jan Marini Skin Research are only available to professionals. Our trained pros perform these treatments in-office to provide deep exfoliating through JMSR’s innovative chemical peel technologies. JMSR designed these peels to help improve the appearance of your skin with less downtime than many other types of treatments and many people see results in just one to three treatments.
Types of Chemical Peels from Jan Marini Skin Research
JMSR currently offers three medical-grade peels: Clarify, Transform, and Refine. Each peel consists of two steps. The first step includes a special acid mix formulated to help address specific skin concerns and provide deep exfoliation. The second step includes a leave-on retinol activator that contains retinol, peptides, and antioxidants to help boost effectiveness and start the healing process.
Clarify peels from Jan Marini Skin Research are primarily used for acne-prone skin and acne scarring. Refine peels offer overall skin rejuvenation. Transform peels are the most aggressive option for medical-grade chemical peels from Jan Marini. They can help address many different skin concerns, including pigmentation and sun damage. They also offer overall skin rejuvenation. Transform peels use a special blend of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol in the first step to help slough off dead skin cells.
JMSR Peel from Our Aesthetics Providers: What to Expect
If you’re interested in medical-grade chemical peels from JMSR, our providers offer these treatments in-office. We may start with a complete consultation to understand your needs and expectations. We’ll also discuss your medical history and any conditions or medications you take that might prevent you from receiving a chemical peel treatment. We can also discuss the benefits and risks to help you decide whether you think a chemical peel is right for you. This is a highly personalized process based on your individual circumstances.
We will also discuss any pre-treatment and post-treatment instructions for your chemical peel. For instance, you may need to avoid using abrasive or exfoliating products for a certain amount of time before and after your peel. In addition, we may also recommend following up at home with JMSR skin care products to help protect your results.
Jan Marini Skin Research: Innovative Skin Care
Jan Marini Skin Research is a leader in skin care. They offer innovative and award-winning skincare products, including:
- Medical-grade chemical peels
- At-home chemical peels
- Face serums
- Cleansers
- Body scrubs
- Face masks
- Moisturizers
- Sunscreens
Products from JMSR are supported by peer-reviewed research that has appeared in academic journals throughout the world. Since 1994, they’ve been providing skin care products and technologies that have helped countless people get results and take care of their skin. That’s why our aesthetics professionals are proud to offer in-office treatments and at-home products from JMSR.
Chemical Peels & Aesthetic Treatments at HerKare
Our team at HerKare understands that part of feeling your best often means looking your best. We offer a wide range of aesthetic treatments to help you enhance your beauty and confidence. Whether you’re concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, hollow areas, fat pockets, or even hyperpigmentation, our team is here to help. We offer consultations to discuss your concerns and help you determine which aesthetic treatment options may help. Whether you’re interested in chemical peels, laser treatments, injectables, or something else, we provide quality care at our women’s clinics. Ready to get started? Book an appointment now to learn more and talk to one of our providers about aesthetic treatment options personalized to you.
by SXHH Marketing | Oct 20, 2021 | Menopause, Wellness
An estimated 75% of women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection during their lifetimes. Some women experience yeast infections more frequently during and after menopause, often due to hormone changes. In some cases, other conditions you might experience during menopause can also increase the risk for vaginal infections like yeast infections. If you’re experiencing yeast infection symptoms, schedule a gynecological services appointment with our team to discuss diagnosis and treatment. Let’s go over some information you should know about yeast infections to help protect your health.
Summary
- An estimated 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. A vaginal yeast infection happens when the normal balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is disrupted, allowing yeast to overgrown. Some women notice them more often during and after menopause due to hormone changes, especially low estrogen.
- Many factors can trigger a yeast infection, including antibiotics that disrupt healthy bacteria, stress, lack of sleep, uncontrolled blood sugar, and hormone imbalances like fluctuating estrogen levels. Typical signs include burning during urination or sex, soreness, and a thick white or watery discharge resembling cottage cheese.
- Fluctuating estrogen levels during perimenopause can disrupt the vagina’s natural balance of yeast, allowing it to overgrow. Conditions linked to menopause, such as vaginal atrophy, can also increase the likelihood of developing a yeast infection.
- Seeing a gynecological provider can help confirm a yeast infection and rule out other causes with similar symptoms, such as bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections. Providers can also identify less common types of yeast and prescribe the most effective antifungal treatment.
What is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Vaginal yeast infections are an overgrowth of yeast. Gynecological services can help with diagnosis and treatment of yeast infections.
First and foremost, you might be wondering what a vaginal yeast infection is. Many of us have heard of them or even experienced them without really knowing what they are. To understand what a yeast infection is, it’s important to understand that the vagina is like its own ecosystem. A healthy vagina typically has an acidic pH with a balance of bacteria and yeast. Those bacteria and yeast actually help keep your vagina healthy! However, if the balance between them gets thrown off for one reason or another, then the yeast cells can start to multiply and take over. When this happens, you experience a yeast infection. If you think you have a yeast infection, gynecological services can help diagnose the problem and one of our providers can prescribe treatment for the yeast infection.
Symptoms of Yeast Infections
There are many signs that can point to a yeast infection. Some common symptoms include:
- Itching
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain during sex
- Burning during urination
- Soreness
- Rash
- White, clumpy discharge (like cottage cheese)
- Watery discharge
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that other conditions can cause similar symptoms. This can make self-diagnosis tricky, which is why we recommend visiting one of our gynecological service providers if you’re experiencing yeast infection symptoms.
Causes of Yeast Infections
There are many potential causes of yeast infections. For instance, taking certain antibiotics can raise your risk for yeast infections because they can reduce the number of healthy bacteria in your vagina responsible for keeping yeast cells in check. Other common causes include stress, lack of sleep, and uncontrolled blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Hormone imbalances may also be a risk factor for yeast infections. Hormones can have a pretty big impact on your vagina’s delicate microbiome. Fluctuations in estrogen can lead to an overgrowth of yeast and eventually a yeast infection. Therefore, some women notice that they get yeast infections more often during perimenopause when hormone levels start to change. During this time period, vaginal atrophy is also pretty common, which can also increase your risk for vaginal infections. We’ll discuss these common menopause-related causes in more depth a little later.
In many cases it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of your yeast infection. Also, in some cases they may not be preventable. It’s important to talk to one of our gynecological treatment providers about your symptoms and what you can do to help avoid yeast infections. Some general tips involve following good hygiene practices, keeping your vulva clean and dry, and avoiding potentially irritating things like scented bath products. Our treatment providers can help determine other changes that may help your specific situation.
Why Get Gynecological Services for Yeast Infections?
Some women choose to self-diagnose and self-treat yeast infections with over the counter medications. However, our team generally recommends scheduling an appointment with a gynecological services provider if you think you have a yeast infection.
There are several reasons to visit one of our treatment providers for a yeast infection. Self-diagnosing a yeast infection can be quite difficult. Several studies have found that women frequently misdiagnose themselves with yeast infections. One study showed evidence that only 34% of the study participants who purchased over-the-counter yeast infection treatments had accurately diagnosed themselves with a yeast infection.
Many other conditions can have similar symptoms to yeast infections. For instance, bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, or even allergies from soaps or skincare products. Seeing a doctor can help rule out other causes of your symptoms and help verify that you have a yeast infection. One way to diagnose a yeast infection is to perform a lab test of your discharge to look for an overgrowth of yeast cells.
In addition, most over-the-counter yeast infection treatments are geared toward the most common type of yeast that causes yeast infections. However, some women may have a yeast infection from another type of yeast. Therefore, OTC treatments may not work for you if your yeast infection is due to another strain of yeast. In these cases, one of our providers can help identify the specific type of yeast and prescribe treatments specifically for that type of yeast infection. This can help you get the right type of treatment rather than deal with ongoing symptoms from using the incorrect anti-fungal treatments.
Can Menopause Cause Yeast Infections?
Vaginal yeast infections can occur at any age. However, some women notice they get more yeast infections during and after menopause. Some common conditions you may experience during menopause can increase your risk for yeast infections. In addition, some of the symptoms of menopause can make you more vulnerable to yeast infections.
Vaginal Atrophy
We mentioned vaginal atrophy earlier as a potential risk factor for vaginal infections. Vaginal atrophy occurs when the tissues of your vagina become thin and dry. It’s pretty common with low estrogen levels during and after menopause. Vaginal atrophy may increase the risk for yeast infections, as it can change your vagina’s pH, bacterial levels, and yeast levels. These changes from vaginal atrophy can make your vagina more vulnerable to yeast overgrowth and yeast infections.
Also, some women even mistake vaginal atrophy symptoms for yeast infections. Vaginal atrophy can cause itching, irritation, pain during sex, and several other similar symptoms to yeast infections. This can lead some women to believe they have a yeast infection when they don’t. Gynecological services such as a pelvic exam and lab testing of vaginal discharge can help determine if you have a yeast infection or if there may be other causes of your symptoms.
Other Common Conditions During Menopause that can Lead to Yeast Infections
Also, there are other conditions you might experience during menopause that can increase your risk for yeast infections. For instance, many women experience frequent urinary tract infections during menopause due to low estrogen levels and vaginal atrophy. The most common treatment for UTIs involves taking antibiotics, which, as we mentioned earlier, can increase the risk for yeast infections. If you’re struggling with frequent UTIs after menopause, you may also experience more frequent yeast infections due to the antibiotics.
In addition, poor sleep can lower your immune system and increase your risk for yeast infections. Many women experience poor sleep during menopause due to hot flashes and night sweats. Frequent sleep issues during menopause may lead to vaginal yeast infections as well. Therefore, there may be many factors at play if you’re experiencing yeast infections during menopause, such as menopause symptoms that can affect your health.
Gynecological Services Can Help Address Underlying Causes of Yeast Infections
Sometimes yeast infections just happen, but symptoms should go away with treatment. However, if you have four or more yeast infections per year, you might have chronic yeast infections. This is important to discuss with one of our women’s health care providers, as there may be underlying causes to chronic yeast infections.
Treating underlying conditions may help reduce the number of yeast infections you get. For instance, if you’re struggling with vaginal atrophy after menopause, we may recommend estrogen or vaginal creams to help moisturize and thicken vaginal tissues, which may help reduce the number of yeast infections you experience. In other cases, our providers may recommend taking yeast infection medications for a longer period of time to help with chronic yeast infections.
One of the first steps toward getting help for frequent yeast infections is scheduling an appointment for gynecological services from our team. Our providers can go over your medical history, symptoms, and perform examinations and tests to determine if there may be underlying causes to your yeast infections.
Quality Women’s Health Care and Gynecological Services at HerKare
Our professionals at HerKare are here to help you feel your best, whether you have chronic yeast infections or need preventative well woman care. We are a women’s health clinic owned and managed by women. We take time to listen and understand what you’re feeling to help provide quality care for a wide range of conditions, from gynecological concerns to menopause symptoms. Make an appointment today to discuss how we can help you address your health.
